Hi John:
We have indeed discussed these inlaid areas and marks before. They appear also on a short Thai pole arm that can be seen here:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=605
I believe PUFF had a very interesting observation a while back when he said that these marks were a type of "registration" for specific weapons and owners. In the past the marks on the spine were recorded against the name of the owner, but more modern pieces simply use these as decoration:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=3021
Quote:
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Originally Posted by PUFF:
Currently, there are hypothesis for marks on the spine. The first one is helping a calculation or strategy note. Another one which 's come from more reliable source is that spine marks are blade registration. The marks can be transfer to a paper or cloth with a piece of charcoal and a copy will be kept by town/city officer.
The slug, however, is related with spiritual believe. The most reliable one is that the copper material has a warding power against evil or person's spiritual protection. Some smiths point out the metal keep rust away. But the hypothesis 's less solid sice it 's scientificly not true.
Both marks and slugs may serve their purpose in the old time. But in this modern time, although the marks and slugs are traditional preserved, but its real purpose has been forgotten and they are purely used as a decoration.
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Ian.