Weird "sword"

Ian · Today, 12:40 AM

This one was sold recently at auction. It is not mine and the attached images are from the auction site.

This sword length object (OAL = 29.25 in.) has an unusual blade that appears to be old. There is a date at forte of "1707" and the letter "J." Two spikes emerge from the sides of the blade about 5-6 in. from the tip. Perhaps this a refashioning of the original blade--if so, it was done a long time ago. In some ways, these spikes remind me of a harpoon. The hilt appears to be wood or perhaps a copper alloy, maybe brass/bronze--hard to say from the pictures.

I've not seen another like it. Anyone know what it is or where it may be from?

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Jim McDougall · Today, 03:15 PM

Wow Ian! this thing strains the boundaries of pragmatic thought! While it appears to have been a sword blade however lacking any evidence of fullering or typical blade features it would seem a blacksmith made example. The age based on the pitting etc corresponds to 18th c......in accord with the 'date'(?)

It is always curious why bold dates are placed on sword blades, or purported to have been placed on them when made. It seems most likely in most cases a date is typically a commemorative toward some significant event in the context of the blades intended user. For example, 1707 was the date of the disastrous Acts of Union between England and Scotland, but that notion is tenuous at best, as why would that date be heralded? unless the weapon was to be used against it.

The odd letter 'J' (or so it seems) would not be used for 'Jacobite' obviously as the letter J as such was not in use in alphabet for at least 100 years. I hated even bringing that idea in as it is so irrelevant, but for the sake of discussion I figured why not

So then is this some symbolic device or balemark?

Moving to the most notable features of the blade, this seems clearly some repurposed blade into a tool or implement.
This strains the old phrase from Biblical context, ' beating swords into plowshares'..........this aint no plowshare!!!

The strange barb system does bring to mind a harpoon (as you have noted), or some sort of hunting implement.

So all I can add is questions, but look forward to the amazing knowledge base out there........and those lurking.....bring it in!!!!
All I could add is this silly ratiocination, but added it anyway.

Today, 12:40 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,411	Weird "sword" This one was sold recently at auction. It is not mine and the attached images are from the auction site. This sword length object (OAL = 29.25 in.) has an unusual blade that appears to be old. There is a date at forte of "1707" and the letter "J." Two spikes emerge from the sides of the blade about 5-6 in. from the tip. Perhaps this a refashioning of the original blade--if so, it was done a long time ago. In some ways, these spikes remind me of a harpoon. The hilt appears to be wood or perhaps a copper alloy, maybe brass/bronze--hard to say from the pictures. I've not seen another like it. Anyone know what it is or where it may be from? . Attached Images

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Today, 03:15 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,342	Wow Ian! this thing strains the boundaries of pragmatic thought! While it appears to have been a sword blade however lacking any evidence of fullering or typical blade features it would seem a blacksmith made example. The age based on the pitting etc corresponds to 18th c......in accord with the 'date'(?) It is always curious why bold dates are placed on sword blades, or purported to have been placed on them when made. It seems most likely in most cases a date is typically a commemorative toward some significant event in the context of the blades intended user. For example, 1707 was the date of the disastrous Acts of Union between England and Scotland, but that notion is tenuous at best, as why would that date be heralded? unless the weapon was to be used against it. The odd letter 'J' (or so it seems) would not be used for 'Jacobite' obviously as the letter J as such was not in use in alphabet for at least 100 years. I hated even bringing that idea in as it is so irrelevant, but for the sake of discussion I figured why not So then is this some symbolic device or balemark? Moving to the most notable features of the blade, this seems clearly some repurposed blade into a tool or implement. This strains the old phrase from Biblical context, ' beating swords into plowshares'..........this aint no plowshare!!! The strange barb system does bring to mind a harpoon (as you have noted), or some sort of hunting implement. So all I can add is questions, but look forward to the amazing knowledge base out there........and those lurking.....bring it in!!!! All I could add is this silly ratiocination, but added it anyway.