Nice Yataghan with 20th century graffiti

drac2k · 16th July 2013, 09:55 PM

As a collector, we seem to have "runs," on a certain type of item, that all of a sudden,things that we haven't seen for a while, appear in batches! I have been finding inscribed blades;this has been great except in this case;someone messed up a very nice yataghan by lightly etching on the blade the following "This sword together with 6 chairs was stolen from the palace in Siam in 1866.They were in a private museum in England until 1936.Purchased by R.H. Sturdivant 1938 Richmond Va.." I could have forgiven him if he had painted it on the blade.The story makes no sense to me because even though there was a strong British presence in Siam/Thailand in 1866, it was never occupied by a European power; if it was a dha, I could almost believe it, but not a yataghan!
This person not only defaced this sword, but probably got a very interesting story wrong.
I have a person, who thinks he can polish the inscription out without damaging the sword, so unless someone in the forum can tell me why I shouldn't, that will be my course of action.
I thank all who read this for your patience, indulging me on my rant !

laEspadaAncha · 17th July 2013, 04:03 AM

Provided you are able to have it done without altering the blade geometry, then by all means, for the love of history and art, please uninscribe it.

What compels some people to permanently alter an otherwise rich history with their personal annotations is beyond me.

Maybe for whatever reason, the guy hadn't heard of "pencils," or "pens." And he obviously had never heard of a yataghan!

drac2k · 17th July 2013, 04:54 AM

My source said that this man was a huge collector and the family is just getting around to releasing some of his things;I shudder with a combination of anticipation and dread !

A.alnakkas · 17th July 2013, 05:53 AM

Polish it!!!

David · 17th July 2013, 02:58 PM

Well, this would be great item as is for the Stupidity Museum! Yes, by all means, polish it out if you can.

laEspadaAncha · 17th July 2013, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Well, this would be great item as is for the Stupidity Museum! Yes, by all means, polish it out if you can.

I wish there was such a place. I could seek a write-off for donating my tanto that some prior owner resharpened with a grinder bit.

drac2k · 17th July 2013, 05:07 PM

I've seen a few of those too;it is a shame how so many people think they are making something better by putting an item on a grinder,a file, an electric knife sharpener, 20 grit sandpaper....................
On a sadder note, this item had etched on it "NO. 155;" I hope there aren't 154 more examples such as this one !!!

16th July 2013, 09:55 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Nice Yataghan with 20th century graffiti As a collector, we seem to have "runs," on a certain type of item, that all of a sudden,things that we haven't seen for a while, appear in batches! I have been finding inscribed blades;this has been great except in this case;someone messed up a very nice yataghan by lightly etching on the blade the following "This sword together with 6 chairs was stolen from the palace in Siam in 1866.They were in a private museum in England until 1936.Purchased by R.H. Sturdivant 1938 Richmond Va.." I could have forgiven him if he had painted it on the blade.The story makes no sense to me because even though there was a strong British presence in Siam/Thailand in 1866, it was never occupied by a European power; if it was a dha, I could almost believe it, but not a yataghan! This person not only defaced this sword, but probably got a very interesting story wrong. I have a person, who thinks he can polish the inscription out without damaging the sword, so unless someone in the forum can tell me why I shouldn't, that will be my course of action. I thank all who read this for your patience, indulging me on my rant ! Attached Images

17th July 2013, 04:03 AM	#2
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	Provided you are able to have it done without altering the blade geometry, then by all means, for the love of history and art, please uninscribe it. What compels some people to permanently alter an otherwise rich history with their personal annotations is beyond me. Maybe for whatever reason, the guy hadn't heard of "pencils," or "pens." And he obviously had never heard of a yataghan!

17th July 2013, 04:54 AM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	My source said that this man was a huge collector and the family is just getting around to releasing some of his things;I shudder with a combination of anticipation and dread !

17th July 2013, 05:53 AM	#4
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	Polish it!!!

17th July 2013, 02:58 PM	#5
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,115	Well, this would be great item as is for the Stupidity Museum! Yes, by all means, polish it out if you can.

17th July 2013, 05:07 PM	#7
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	I've seen a few of those too;it is a shame how so many people think they are making something better by putting an item on a grinder,a file, an electric knife sharpener, 20 grit sandpaper.................... On a sadder note, this item had etched on it "NO. 155;" I hope there aren't 154 more examples such as this one !!!