An Indian Sword with Firangi Blade, 17th/18th Century

the closed basket hilt decorated in gold overlay with floral scrolls and lotus palmettes, with fullered firangi blade double-edged towards the tip with inscription along the top of the forte

Some slight wear of the gold overlay on the hilt spike, as viewed
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

inscriptions
The shahada followed by: 

muhammad rafi' al-sha'n bahadur shah muhammadi innahu al-fath. L A D N 0161

'Muhammad Rafi' al-Sha'n Bahadur Shah Muhammadi.  Verily, there is victory' This is followed by letters L.A.D.N and the numbers 0161, which are undeciphered. 

There is also an undeciphered '1633' at the end.

On the blade: '147'

According to William Irvine (Later Mughals, ed. Jadunath Sarkar, reprint, 1971, p.158), Rafi' al-Sh'an was the 3rd son of Bahadur Shah. He had been appointed governor of Kabul under Aurangzeb and according to the Tazkirat us Salatin Chaghta of Muhammad Hadi Kamwar Khan (ed. Muzaffar alam, 1980, p.16), he kept that post at the beginning of Bahadur Shah's reign in 1707. There are a number of references to him in this work where he is called Shahzada Wala Gahr Rafi' al Sh'an. Kamwar Khan appears to have been a secretary in his service. There is a reference to him as Muhammad Rafi' al-Sh'an in the Ma'asir ul umara, tr.2-1, p.296. 

At one stage he was the favourite son when Bahadur Shah was staying in the Kabul province, but was supplanted first by the 4th son, Jahan Shah, and later by the 2nd son, Azim al-Sh'an, who had the Bengal & Bihar subah. At first, after the death of Bahadur Shah, the 1st, 3rd and 4th sons joined forces against Azim al-Sh'an, defeating and killing him, but then as the other three fought on amongst themselves both Jahan Shah and Rafi' al-Sh'an were defeated and killed in March 1712. Jahander Shah the effete eldest son ascended the throne. 

There is a picture of Bahadur Shah with his four sons in the Binney Collection (Indian Miniature Painting from the Collection of Edwin Binney 3rd, The Mughal and Deccani Schools, 1973, No.71).