Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Dutch - VOC Blade

Henk · 27th April 2008, 10:31 AM

I doubt weapons were marked with the VOC mark in that early period of the VOC.
Most weapons in that period were made in Solingen and assembled in Köln. Also in Luik (Liege) Belgium many weapons were produced.
The VOC had a large private army, but the Dutch soldiers in that time had to buy their own equipment. 75% of the soldiers of the VOC were foreigners. Most of them came from Poland, Sweden, Danmark and Germany.
I don't say that it is impossible that a blade was marked with the VOC mark but it is most unlikely.

Blades with a VOC mark came up in the 18th century. In that period the army of the VOC became more standardized with rules for the equipment.

Amak Murugul,

VOC blades are hard to find and very expensive. Without a picture of the sword it is hard to tell if the sword offered to your friend is a fake but I think he did well by declining the offer.

27th April 2008, 10:31 AM	#8
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	I doubt weapons were marked with the VOC mark in that early period of the VOC. Most weapons in that period were made in Solingen and assembled in Köln. Also in Luik (Liege) Belgium many weapons were produced. The VOC had a large private army, but the Dutch soldiers in that time had to buy their own equipment. 75% of the soldiers of the VOC were foreigners. Most of them came from Poland, Sweden, Danmark and Germany. I don't say that it is impossible that a blade was marked with the VOC mark but it is most unlikely. Blades with a VOC mark came up in the 18th century. In that period the army of the VOC became more standardized with rules for the equipment. Amak Murugul, VOC blades are hard to find and very expensive. Without a picture of the sword it is hard to tell if the sword offered to your friend is a fake but I think he did well by declining the offer.