UNIDENTIFIED FRENCH OR GERMAN SHORT SWORD CIRCA 1860's
Not very often is it that I get stumped trying to identify an item, however I cannot get a definate answer on this short sword and would appreciate any feedback on the true identity of this sword.
This is a short sword with a cast steel handle and a yataghan shaped blade. The blade is maker marked to A.&A.S. The A.&A.S. could stand for August & Albert Schnitzler of Solingen, Germany. According to Bezdek's German Swords and Sword Makers, the company was in business from 1864-1873. They had offices in Birmingham, England from 1864-1873, and sold cavalry sabers to northern dealers during the American Civil War, (1864-1865 to Northern Dealers).
The steel scabbard has been contemporary wrapped in cord as seen on some Japanese bayonets.