Could the eyelash mark originate from Vienna ?

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

I am sure that this subject is one of the keys to understanding Ethnographic weapons down the ages and holds within it answers to the transmission of these extraordinary devices marking the blades. To my eye the curves and dots represent numerous possibilities including blade quality or talisman marks and are sometimes accompanied by the Indian word for foreigner...or Foreign manufacture.. FARANGI. Are these curved strikes moon shapes? Do the three dots mean anything and are they related to the tradition of placing dots on a blade filled with golden coloured metal such as brass. Are they representative of the Fleur de Lys? Given that a lot of Indian blades were made in Europe where were these marks placed...and what were the technicalities of striking the marks?

Below are examples of all the above including dots on the blade and hilt and gold coloured dots on the tip ...The chart shows dot and hogsback stamps and accompaying names including Ferrera, Genoa and hogsback (sickle /eyelash) accompanied by dots only. One blade shows a moon flanked by three crosses on each side...Do the two things mean the same thing; dots for crosses and vice versa?

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=16083 gives a reasonable set of clues ... and compliments this thread.