Ivory Hilted Choora For Comment

[Lew]

Hi Guys

Just picked this up today. Seller claims it's wootz. Seems to be in good shape and the scabbard looks quite old.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/19thC-INDO-PERSIAN-PESHKABZ-CHOORA_W0QQitemZ6569892791QQcategoryZ67577QQrdZ1QQ cmdZViewItem


Lew

[B.I]

hi,
these rarely had wootz blades, but some did. the seller is quite reputable (not on the internet, but in the arms world - alan cook) so i think his description would not be there to decieve. also, i agree the mount is from a 'shamshir'.
if it is wootz (which you can assume it is) its a good price.
i like the chisselling on the back spine, and these pieces were normally relatively crude, but this is a nice example. well done.

[Ferguson]

Gorgeous. Wonder if the hanger mount was used along with some attachment at the scabbard mouth to hang it with a chain? Or maybe the owner just liked the inscription on the mount. Or hung a tassel from it? Very very nice.

Steve

[Yannis]

I agree with B.I. Plus, it is bigger than average choora.

[Lew]

Hi All

The choora arrived today but unfortunately it's not wootz :( I t is a very nice old example though. I guess even the experts make mistakes.


Lew

[Tim Simmons]

I see this seller quite frequently at a local market and I am not sure expert is quite the right term. :D Tim

[Lew]

Tim

I figured that Alan Cook since he does deal with antique weapons as a business would be familar with what wootz looks like. It is still a lovely choora very nice quality overall and probably worth what I paid for it.

[Tim Simmons]

Hi Lew, it is indeed a very nice example well worth having I just could not resist a gibe at a dealer. Tim

[Ferguson]

Lew, it's still a beautiful piece. But I think the seller needs as least a "Neutral" feedback. Have you corresponded with him since you received it? I'd be curious as to his reaction. I notice that he didn't post any closeup pics of the blade on the auction. Could there be a reason for this?

It's neat that the metal chape extends up, and covers the whole scabbard.

Steve

[RSWORD]

Alan Cook does the Timonium show and I have spoken to him on a few occasions at shows in the US and I find him a very nice person willing to talk shop with you. However, I also had a very negative experience with him through Ebay that, in addition to Lew's experience, throws up a slight red flag. I bought a Chinese sword from him through Ebay that he had described as 19th century. While the pictures were not great, I took him at his word as an experienced dealer that should know what he is selling. When it arrived I was extremely dissapointed to find out it was a late 20th century reproduction and very clearly not 19th century. In my correspondance with Alan he stated he had purchased it at an auction house and their description was 19th century so he assumed it was 19th century. I made a list of all the features of the sword that clearly indicated it was a reproduction and mentioned how many reproductions were coming out of China. His response was the he did not know fakes were being made in China. That was quite a dissapointing response from a guy that has been dealing for quite some time. While I am not trying to portray Alan negatively because as I said he was a nice chap in person, we do have a trend here that I think it important to share so that at the least we all learn to ask a few more questions and get a few more pictures if we decide to have further transactions with him.

[Tim Simmons]

RS, I like the cut of your gibe sir, I have long waited to use that phrase in context. Nice.

[Battara]

I do agree with Rsword and Ferguson. I with Rsword have had nice dealings with him in person, though I have questioned some of his "understanding" about some things. A neutral would be a good response.

[Ian]

Lew:

Tough break on that one, but I think you got a very nice choora in any case.

I was looking at it myself during the auction and was concerned that there was really no picture showing detail of the pattern on the blade (to confirm wootz). Having spoken with Alan Cook at Timonium, I would have to agree with some of the earlier comments -- ethnographic weapons may not be his strongest area of familiarity.

Ian.

[Lew]

Hi All

I noticed on the feedback that someone else just purchased a sword described as being wootz and it was not :eek: I see a pattern forming here and it ain't a crystaline damascus one ;)

Lew