When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
(F271)
THIS SWORD: In the late 1800’s an Italian tailor to Uruguayan Presidents fancied himself as an importer of military items from Europe to Uruguay in South America. And he did import this particular police sword (the only sword we have seen in Uruguay stamped with his name on the ricasso). But Antonio de Dovitiis was much more famous for a major defrauding of the Uruguayan Army.
THE DOVITIIS RIP-OFF: DovitiIs, who knew nothing about firearms was a confident of Uruguayan President Julio Herrera y Obes (1890-1894) and was given funds to go to Europe to purchase some of the new Mauser-type repeating rifles for the Army. Instead he made a happy trip through Europe spending most of the money. Before leaving Europe he was in Paris, and out of desperation he purchased 10,000 1871 single shot Mauser rifles that France had captured from Germany in the Franco-Prussian War. He got them at a fire-sale price because they were basically worth nothing.
When the rifles arrived in Uruguay the Army realized that a bunch of out-of-date junk had been dropped on them. In 1894 at the beginning of the Presidency of Juan Idiarte Borda (1894-1897) at least 5000 of the rifles were sent to St. Denis in France to be adapted with barrels chambered for the new 6.5mm x 53.5 Daudeteau cartridge. The hybrid rifles now became the Uruguayan modified 1894 Mausers, or single-shot Daudeteau Rifles. Mr. Dovitis disappeared into history and never imported another military item into Uruguay. The Uruguayan Army now had single shot rifles with a very hot cartridge with which they could drop the enemy out to 500 yards (quite similar to the more modern 6.5mm Creedmoor cartridge).
POLICE SWORDS: The Uruguayan Police were trained to use short swords as a kind of billy-club; it was actually a very effective way to subdue anyone with the cold steel of the side of the blade. None of these swords were ever sharpened.
MEASUREMENTS AND CONDITION: This Police Short Sword with an after-market scabbard (a very old leather scabbard) measures 29-1/4 inches overall, and the blade measures 24 inches. The blade is in fair to good condition with rust and minor pits, especially on the right side.
MARKS: On the ricasso it reads: ANTONIO DE DOVITIIS, MONTEVIDEO. On the counter-ricasso there is a mark, perhaps of the European sword maker, that has been worn off or rubbed out.The brass hilt is marked with “101,” and the front of the guard has a “16.”
SCABBARD: The scabbard is a replacement made of thick leather.
Every fine collection needs at least one scoundrel’s weapon; this Uruguayan Police Sword imported by Antonio de Dovitiis could fit the bill for your collection. Whoever purchases the sword will get an article by the seller with the complete story of the Dovitiis rip-off.
This short sword will be insured for the purchase price when shipped. If you buy more than one item we will try to combine items in the shipping when possible.
