Ethnographic Arms & Armour - A composite 17 th century sword for comment.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

It appears to indicate that Latin uses the SALINGEN form rather than SOLINGEN. Is this the case here?

no this is not the case MEFECIT SOLINGEN and MEFECIT SALINGEN are both Latin. :)
it only indicates that the V & A specialist attributes the blade to Solingen, nothing more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

I Quote" Salingen a Sword Cutler.—A sword in my possession, with inlaid basket guard, perhaps of the early part of the seventeenth century, is inscribed on the blade "Salingen me fecit." If this is the name of a sword cutler, who was he, and when and where did he live?"Unquote.

T.S. LAWRENCE.
(SEE this quote on page 133 at Gutenbergs page on http://www.gutenberg.org/files/13736...-h/13736-h.htm)

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

famous quote by Jasper:

Quote" there were more strange things said about weapons in the 19th century. "unquote

Quote:

Originally Posted by cornelistromp

no this is not the case MEFECIT SOLINGEN and MEFECIT SALINGEN are both Latin. :)
it only indicates that the V & A specialist attributes the blade to Solingen, nothing more.

Salaams cornelistromp, I can see where the confusion may have crept in regarding the different spelling therefor I wish to place a counter theory to the project sword's inscription.

I suggest it is linked to the phonetics of the original word SOLINGEN where the second letter O sounds like oh as opposed to for example SOPHIA...where it sounds like o as in old..
When transferred to Latin the inscriber may well have selected the letter in Latin with the closest Phonetic sound which is A
Thus SALINGEN.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Very true Jasper!! MANY strange things about weapons were said in the 19th century as actual study and scholarship became measures in the observation of the many old weapons in many holdings. These very 'chestnuts' are often almost entertaining as we continue to advance in our understanding of the actual history of these weapon forms.

Good observations Ibrahiim on the choice of spellings, which of course in many cases can direct to possible region for origin of the weapon, or in cases of course the literacy or linguistics of the engraver.

I had thought that perhaps the use of SALINGEN might have been suggestive of earlier use of the spelling, much as with words which develop in connotation or spelling over time. The spelling SOHLINGEN is also known but does not seem as commonly present in inscriptions on blades, at least in my experience.
However, it seems that it would be difficult to ascribe a definite period or end of use for particular spellings which are likely to be incidental cases attributed to the engraver alone, just as you suggest concerning the use of Latin. These aspects are so highly subjective though that they are hard to pursue with confidence.

Still, it is that kind of thinking that affords us so many opportunities in learning and understanding more on the history of these weapons.