Stick Sword for Comment

Queequeg · 24th May 2011, 07:10 PM

Any comments on the provenance and age of this would be appreciated. I'm going to guess European, 1880-1910, only because I can't think of a time when this may have been more common.

Overall length is 26"

Blade is 18"

Two views of the cruciform blade. The point is very sharp:

Close up of the head. I'm unsure what kind of wood it is, but my fingernail doesn't leave a mark in it:

The leather cord and Turk's head knots appear to be later additions:

Another view of the blade. It has a nice patina:

I'm certain the wood of the shaft is mahogany, having worked with it many times before:

Thank you in advance.

katana · 24th May 2011, 07:28 PM

Hi Queequeg,
I would hazard a guess and say that this is either African or African colonial. Sword sticks are still available in Africa today for self protection whilst in the bush. Finding the 'source' of the blade would be a great help ....any markings ?

Regards David

Queequeg · 24th May 2011, 07:30 PM

David,

No markings, unfortunately.

Gavin Nugent · 24th May 2011, 09:20 PM

All a very modern put together in my opinion.
It would be more a swagger stick at the length.

fearn · 25th May 2011, 06:14 PM

That blade looks like a modified fencing epee, which would make it western and probably modern-ish. Not sure where the head came from.

Best,

F

Queequeg · 27th May 2011, 12:56 AM

Anyone up for estimating the age of this?

24th May 2011, 07:10 PM	#1
Queequeg Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Detroit (New Mayapan) Posts: 96	Stick Sword for Comment Any comments on the provenance and age of this would be appreciated. I'm going to guess European, 1880-1910, only because I can't think of a time when this may have been more common. Overall length is 26" Blade is 18" Two views of the cruciform blade. The point is very sharp: Close up of the head. I'm unsure what kind of wood it is, but my fingernail doesn't leave a mark in it: The leather cord and Turk's head knots appear to be later additions: Another view of the blade. It has a nice patina: I'm certain the wood of the shaft is mahogany, having worked with it many times before: Thank you in advance.

24th May 2011, 07:28 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Queequeg, I would hazard a guess and say that this is either African or African colonial. Sword sticks are still available in Africa today for self protection whilst in the bush. Finding the 'source' of the blade would be a great help ....any markings ? Regards David

24th May 2011, 07:30 PM	#3
Queequeg Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Detroit (New Mayapan) Posts: 96	David, No markings, unfortunately.

24th May 2011, 09:20 PM	#4
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	All a very modern put together in my opinion. It would be more a swagger stick at the length.

25th May 2011, 06:14 PM	#5
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	That blade looks like a modified fencing epee, which would make it western and probably modern-ish. Not sure where the head came from. Best, F

27th May 2011, 12:56 AM	#6
Queequeg Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Detroit (New Mayapan) Posts: 96	Anyone up for estimating the age of this?