Thanks Fernando!
I'd say the handle is pretty definitely cast (via lost wax) directly onto the blade--you can see that in the imperfections in the way the brass meets the steel. I'd also say that the figures were cast directly with the handle, not brazed (welded, but with brass) on later.
The one thing that's bothering me is the total lack of corrosion on the brass. There are a couple of ways to get this: either it's been in a temperature controlled setting, it was cleaned (possibly with acid--I've done this by accident and boy does it take off patina and corrosion
), or it's a relatively new piece. Or all of the above.
Considering the relative lack of bubbles, sprues, and other signs of casting, whoever did the cast did a pretty decent job, I think.
Hi Tom,
One thing to clear up is that I was thinking that whoever made it stamped the designs onto the wax master, rather than onto the finished metal.
Fearn