I am writing this guide with the hopes of decreasing my chances of running into multitude of listings totally mis-identifying old fencing weapons.  Fencing is not the most popular sport in the US and it does have a fairly limited participation and audience.  I hope the following information will be of help.

Part I:  Duelling Swords.

I will not include the German duelling sabers of the period from 1860's to 1930's - they deserve their own guide.  The duelling weapons I am addressing are purely thrusting weapons, with the cross-section of the blade either a triangle or a diamond shape.  The blade length varies from 31" to 36" and the guard is designed to protect hand and fingers.  The blade itself is dull, the tip is brought to a sharp point and is sharp.  The blade base is from 3/4" to 1.25" in width.  These weapons were made in pairs, thus 2 weapons matching would be worth a lot more than a single weapon.

Part II:  Fencing Foils.

The sport of fencing originated in Modern Times in Europe as early as 1600's, when partners would practice sword skills with dull and blunt-ended blades.  The modern fencing started to take shape as a sport in early 1800's.  The common practice/fencing weapon was foil, with traditional figure 8 guard and a leather or metal shield to protect fingers.  The glove was worn on the weapon hand as well to protect the hand and the forearm.  The blades commonly were 36" in length, anything shorter usually signifies the broken blade.  The tips had a metal integral button to dull the thrusts.  The blade cross-section was tapering rectangle, ending with almost flat blade toward the button tip.  The blades were either English, German (Solingen) or French (Klingenthal).  The size of the guard, the shape of the pommel and the construction of the grip help date these weapons.

A.  1820-1840's Foil:

Shaped pommel, small figure 8 guard, wood core with wire wrap, overlayed with leather handle.  (French Grip)

B.  1850-1870's Foil

Very similar construction, with decorative shaped pommel, larger guard, less decorative, more simplified handle.

C.  1870-1920 Foil

The guard got larger, the pommel got simpler, the grip is becoming utilitarian.

This weapon is almost like a modern French Grip foil, with the difference in the shape of the guard.

D.  Saber

Modern saber is the refinement of the cavalry saber of old.  Early sabers look a lot like cavalry sabers, with slightly lighter blades, dulled and blunted on the end.  The guards are very similar to cavalry issue swords. 

This saber dates from 1850's and is a practice saber for the German/Austrian military.  Majority of the manufacturers of these blades are Solingen, Klingenthal, and Wilkinson.  The guard, the handle and the shape of the blade are exact replicas of the battle or parade swords of the period, with the blade being lighter in construction and blunted at the tip.  These weapons rarely come with scabbards, if you find one that has one - get it, it is rare.

As saber developed, the blade got more flexible and lighter, and the tip, instead of blunting, became a button, similar to that of foil.  The grip got smaller and more simplistic, and the guard got larger, to provide better protection to the hand and wrist.

The blade became a tapered rectangle, as approaching the tip, it becomes almost completely flat.  This saber is from 1910-1920 period and is a very neat piece, still retaining original cushion pad at the guard.

E.  Modern Olympic Fencing Weapons

The last couple of photos are those of the modern foil and saber - they are common pieces, easy and cheap to purchase.

The foil has what is commonly known as an orthopedic or pistol grip.  It is very common, with multiple variations of the grip carrying different names, i.e. Russian, Belgian, Visconti, etc.  The saber is from late 1970's with cloth wound handle and oversized bell-shaped guard.  The basic weapons really have not changed in last 30+ years. 

I hope this will help those who are trying to figure out what they have with respect to fencing swords. 

Good Luck,

Greg