Measuring 42 inches long, the executioners sword was a heavily specialized cutting tool, designed expressly for execution by decapitation. In later years, decapitation by sword was retired in most Western nations in favor of decapitation with guillotine or hanging, and the executioners sword took on a symbolic role, a physical token of the power of capitol punishment held by an authority figure, similar to the fasces lictoriae of ancient Rome. The blade measures 33 3/4 inches long with a 2 1/8 inch wide lozenge profile cross-section with single fullers on the forte, and the rounded tip flaring out to 2 1/2 inches with sufficient distal taper to give it a virtually flat cross section, thinning from 1/3 inch to 1/10 inch; while the age of manufacture is not verified, distal taper was often disregarded by later reproducers, since management of weight and balance was not a critical need for a sword only meant to be hung on walls or carried in processions. Engraving is present on the lower third, with floral scroll flanking the fullers, skull and crossbones and floral decoration ahead of the fullers, and the latin mottos "PROFIDE ETPATRIA" (for faith and fatherland) and "SOLIDEO GLORIA" (glory to God alone) in the fullers. The hilt is of brass construction, with a 6 5/8 inch side octagonal crossguard, a 10-sided faceted pommel, and a leather grip with imprinted checkerboard patterns.

Very good. The blade shows an untouched, original mixed dark gray patina, with shallow pitting across most of the surface, a few light nicks of the edge, and some wear on the engraving. A varied attractive aged patina is present on the brass, with some cracking and loss of the leather.