Marine Corp sword
A friend of mine wants to sell a Marine Corp sword. It looks authentic to me. Has "Made in Toledo Spain US Marine Corp # 308" at the base of the blade near the hilt. Its in perfect condition. My question would be is this sword stolen or can a civilian own one? Also is it ethical to own it or is that an insult to Marines who have served?
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About the legality, i'm not sure but I would suspect it would be completely legal to own.
I am not a Marine but I would suspect that as long as you don't claim to be one if you are not, nobody would mind.
My kids and I wear all kinds of army surplus for hunting, paintball etc, and I used surplus ponchos and liners at football games, etc. I usually just tell people that the garment I have on was proudly worn by a US Soldier before I obtained it. I even have a few with name tags and leave them on in their honor.0 -
they are available from several retailers across the net and nowhere have i ever seen any sort of authorization/authentication documentation. i would imagine that using any such material to further propagate a fake service history would be insulting to those that have been there and done that. but if it were for a display or reanactment or a gift to a former service member i should think would be ok, which is probably why you can buy them without hassle. 0 -
Anyone can own worth around $90 in mint condition for the NCO sword.
If it has the ivory/pearl handles its a officers sword, worth maybe $125 at the most.
There are some Marines that have theirs custom built, and they are expensive. NCO's $1,000-2,500 Officers $2,500-$5,000
And will be from a well know maker, with the owners name inscribed on or around the hilt.
Still got my old NCO parade sword, that was issued to me.
Actual worth around $90, but would not take $1,000 for it.0 -
From what I've heard, NCO swords made in Spain are some of the finest swords around. A guy I knew had one made when he was stationed at the Embassy there. Gold inlay on the handle, sharpened blade.......that sword was the sh**. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by sav99
A friend of mine wants to sell a Marine Corp sword. It looks authentic to me. Has "Made in Toledo Spain US Marine Corp # 308" at the base of the blade near the hilt. Its in perfect condition. My question would be is this sword stolen or can a civilian own one? Also is it ethical to own it or is that an insult to Marines who have served?
I know of no law against owning a military sword. Mine was given to me, engraved, and I would not sell it. Also, be careful of selling a Marine Corps Sword for $99.00. There are two types of ceremonial swords authorized for wear in the Marine Corps, the NCO Sword and the Officers Sword. The Marine Corps swords use to be made in Germany until the costs went out of sight, so to speak, the Corps then authorized swords made in Spain to be sold through their exchange system. Call information and get the phone number to the Marine Corps Exchange at MCRD Sand Diego, MCB Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, or MCB Quantico, Virginia to get the straight skinny on authorized Swords and acccessories, and their costs. Also, here is a link at Vanguard, a store that seems to ring a bell with me as supplying the Corps with many types of uniform accessories: http://www.vanguardmil.com/insignia/main_categories.php?nav=marines
Lots of folks are into collecting old swords or military matter, not an insult at all either, not IMO.0 -
yep, there's swords, bayonets and knives out there from every other military there ever was, the Marines can't be any different. 0 -
Bud-K sells reproduction ones, so I'm sure it's ok to have one, as long (as previously stated) as you don't claim to have been a Marine.
http://budk.com/classic-marine-sword/p/HK8851/c/6041/0 -
If it was made in Toledo, Spain, it's probably the real deal. It's just part of the uniform like any other part of the uniform. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by JamesRK
If it was made in Toledo, Spain, it's probably the real deal. It's just part of the uniform like any other part of the uniform.
What James said is true.No insult would be taken for you to own
one.
Scott0 -
quote:Originally posted by JamesRK
If it was made in Toledo, Spain, it's probably the real deal. It's just part of the uniform like any other part of the uniform.
A second confirmation on what James said from an old jarhead. However, email me and I might be interested if he wants to sell it. deheffley@verizon.net0 -
quote:Originally posted by sav99
A friend of mine wants to sell a Marine Corp sword. It looks authentic to me. Has "Made in Toledo Spain US Marine Corp # 308" at the base of the blade near the hilt. Its in perfect condition. My question would be is this sword stolen or can a civilian own one? Also is it ethical to own it or is that an insult to Marines who have served?
It's Marine CORPS, not "Corp", dammit! [:(!]0 -
quote:Originally posted by Spider7115
quote:Originally posted by sav99
A friend of mine wants to sell a Marine Corp sword. It looks authentic to me. Has "Made in Toledo Spain US Marine Corp # 308" at the base of the blade near the hilt. Its in perfect condition. My question would be is this sword stolen or can a civilian own one? Also is it ethical to own it or is that an insult to Marines who have served?
It's Marine CORPS, not "Corp", dammit! [:(!]
I beg your pardon. MARINE CORPS0 -
My friend, a Marine, stationed with me in Egypt, sent his saber to the USMarDet in Cairo. He was one of the first members of the Security Detachment sent in 1974 when the Embassy was re-opened.
His saber was used to cut the cake at the Ball in November 1974 and it arrived in time to be used to cut the cake again in 2006. It now rests between cake cuttings above the Gunny's desk.
Neat, I think, and thoughtful.0 -
That is a good one Hairy. 0 -
sav99--he's the same guy who was sent to Beirut as the Gunny for the MarDet there.
When the fan and bag hit, he was the guy who rescued the American Ambassador by commandeering the Ambassador's car, driving it through the doors of a building and getting him out of harm's way. Time Magazine wrote an article about his exploit. His rank (then) and name is SSgt Larry S. French, USMC.0 -
quote:Originally posted by HAIRY
sav99--he's the same guy who was sent to Beirut as the Gunny for the MarDet there.
When the fan and bag hit, he was the guy who rescued the American Ambassador by commandeering the Ambassador's car, driving it through the doors of a building and getting him out of harm's way. Time Magazine wrote an article about his exploit. His rank (then) and name is SSgt Larry S. French, USMC.
The man is a real hero! Very cool.0
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