Keith this is outstanding perspective into the dynamics of sword production numbers in a given period and region. It is actually almost hard to fathom the relatively staggering numbers of swords that were actually produced and there is a paucity of reliable records of both production and distribution.
It seems for example, references I have seen which categorized trade commerce will often list sundry items and materials, but typically it is firearms which take the fore. Categorically with that, it is saltpetre which is one of the most documented weapon related materials, while swords and blades are mostly incidentally included in listings. '
In our times, given the relatively small numbers of swords that survive in comparison, it is hard to imagine the towering numbers of them that once existed.
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