Help Identifing this piece

[danhiman]

I have owned this piece for 5 years now. It smells strong of copper. Its a little top heavy, but seems to aid in its swing. It looks as if it was used.

[Atlantia]

Hi Danhiman
Welcome to the forums.
Looks like you have a copper copy of a bronze age sword that has been cast with the hilt parts combined.
I'm not an expert, but to be it looks like a slight mix of 'Witham' (antenna style) and classic leaf shaped sytles.

[Matchlock]

Hi Danhiman,

And welcome to our forums.

This item doubtlessly shows the type of a Bronze Age sword , ca. 2200 to 1200 BC, with an unusually high content of copper in the brass alloy forming the bronze. Whether it's a copy of an original item or not I am not able to tell from the images.

The double scroll pommel is, as Gene has pointed out, of a rare form diverging from the antenna type.

Best,
Michael

[danhiman]

Hi Danhiman,

And welcome to our forums.

This item doubtlessly shows the type of a Bronze Age sword , ca. 2200 to 1200 BC, with an unusually high content of copper in the brass alloy forming the bronze. Whether it's a copy of an original item or not I am not able to tell from the images.

The double scroll pommel is, as Gene has pointed out, of a rare form diverging from the antenna type.

Best,
Michael

What other pictures would help determine authenticity? Maybe different lighting?

Thanks for the help gentlemen.

[fearn]

Welcome!

I'm pretty sure it's more of an artwork than an exact copy of something like a Witham sword.

Remember, "use" can be from anyone (such as a kid playing with something) rather than a mark of a genuine piece.

Best,

F

[danhiman]

I use it to change channels on my tv when I'm in bed and I have also killed a few roof rats with it. Its got pretty good balance/handling. :D

[Jim McDougall]

I use it to change channels on my tv when I'm in bed and I have also killed a few roof rats with it. Its got pretty good balance/handling. :D

LOL!!! Now thats what I call a 'remote' !!!! You have substantially raised the benchmark for 'the guy code' :)

I agree with the guys in that this seems a nicely made impression of these Bronze age type swords, and as Gene notes, more artwork than keen reproduction. Very nice example though, and thanks for the chuckle, much appreciated.

All the best,
Jim

[katana]

Hi Danhiman,
welcome to the forum :) interesting item, but I think not original to the time period. Often the handles were of wood/horn/bone and rivetted to the wide tang. Notice the two rivet 'impressions'....this suggests to me that this is from a mould ...created by an 'impressed' rivetted handled sword. As it would be extremely unlikely the wood/bone handle would survive from so long ago,it is also possible that yours is a 'copy' of a 'copy'.

Still it is a very nice piece

Regards David

[celtan]

You can also use it to scratch your toes without getting up from the couch, and to tap your wifey's derriere, to signal her you require further fermented spirits from the fridge.

Live and let die...

: )

I use it to change channels on my tv when I'm in bed and I have also killed a few roof rats with it. Its got pretty good balance/handling. :D

[Atlantia]

What other pictures would help determine authenticity? Maybe different lighting?

Thanks for the help gentlemen.


It's not an original.
There is no question.

As my original post says. It is fully or mostly copper, and was cast with the hilt parts combined.
Also, it has no patina/oxidisation and the 'antenna' don't conform to known styles.
If you want to see good examples of reproductions covering the main types, then have a look here. (http://www.bronze-age-swords.com/)

Also, show the rats some mercy for christs sake. They are just trying to earn a living too :(

[fernando]

...and to tap your wifey's derriere, to signal her you require further fermented spirits from the fridge...

... Also, show the rats some mercy for christs sake. They are just trying to earn a living too ...

Wow, the humour levels are top high; life is running fine, hey guys ? :eek:

[celtan]

Nando, por favor, contribute with a witty remark strong on levity.

: )


IIRC, the swords from Luristan were made from copper alloys. An interesting addendum is that they were supossedly better than the iron swords, their downfall being that they were much more expensive and slow to make. Manoucher should be able to expound on that.

Reminds me of the initial superiority of the compound bow over the flintlock. Economics also won the day then, and likewise, the flintlock was developed to the point of superiority over bow.

BR

M

Wow, the humour levels are top high; life is running fine, hey guys ? :eek:

[fearn]

I'm still trying to figure out either the Linear B or hieroglyphs for "Rat Killing Sword." That's what you should engrave in this piece. After all, you've blooded it, so you have to name it properly. Having a story to go with the name would be all to the good, I think.

Best,

F

[celtan]

How about "Die rathskeller"?

: )

I'm still trying to figure out either the Linear B or hieroglyphs for "Rat Killing Sword." That's what you should engrave in this piece. After all, you've blooded it, so you have to name it properly. Having a story to go with the name would be all to the good, I think.

Best,

F

[fearn]

How about "Die rathskeller"?

: )

I thought it was "Der Rathskeller..." At least in Wisconsin.

[danhiman]

I will have to look into the in graving. LOL

[Atlantia]

IIRC, the swords from Luristan were made from copper alloys.


Antiquities researchers/archeologists etc, now tend to refer to all alloys of copper including bronze as 'copper alloy'. So technically, all 'Bronze' swords are made from 'copper alloys'. Including Luristani, European etc.

[celtan]

I think of swords as feminine objects, thus Die is more appropriate, I believe..

Here I'm word playing, between Rat's Killer and Rathskeller (restaurant)...

In my college days, I dubbed "The Rats Killer" a restaurant located within the OSU campus, officially named Der Rathskeller. This, on account of it's unpleasantly tasting hamburgers, thus implying an unconventional source for the meat patties.

Perhaps they could use this sword there...

:p

I thought it was "Der Rathskeller..." At least in Wisconsin.

[danhiman]

Maybe they can use my services.

[clockwork]

Here you go

.

[danhiman]

Here you go

.
I like that.