A cup hilt sword for coments.

[fernando]

Thanks a lot for your input, Gentlemen.
Jim, i am much obliged for you having focused my (and others) eyes into the (micro) composition of genuine shagreen on the grip cover of this sword.
It is indeed amazing that one thinks that the (re)source of 'prepared' shagreen appeared after actual ray (+shark) skin, whereas this method appeared afterwards.
On the other hand, while ray skin was used mainly for anti slippery purposes, original shagreen was also used for embelishment purposes, such as box and other object outer shells and also, and not less popular, for book bidings. I have read in the web a PDF article where shagreen binding was seen in 1734 in a Portuguese miniature almanach.
I have also gone into the ethimo/semantic area, learning that shagreen apparently comes from the Turc 'çagri' and refers to the horse croup, from where raw hide was originaly used for the preparation of the discussed material.
The translated term in portuguese is 'chagrem', althoug the galicism 'chagrin' is much more widely used.
Giving wings to imagination, would one find any connection between ray skin having been widely used in Japanese sword grips and the silver details of this sword reminding menuki decorations, as suggested by Mark? I will give a thought to that.
Thinking about replicating the missing silver nails, its shape diversity is so exquisite, that i hesitate before going into such adventure. I will have to see how the smith himself reacts.

[fernando]

For those with interest in more technical data ... like Chris Evans:
Blade length: 82 cms.
Blade thickness at forte: 6 mm.
Blade with at forte: 34 mm.
Quillons extension: 28,5 cms.
Cup width: 13 cms.
Total length:97 cms.
Ponit of balance (from quillons): 12 cms.
Weight: 912 grs.

[Chris Evans]

Originally Posted by fernando

For those with interest in more technical data ... like Chris Evans:
Ponit of balance (from quillons): 12 cms.

Much appreciated Fernando.

Just to make sure, the POB is from the quillons and not the where the cup meets the blade?

As I said in my PM, I am very, very envious.

Cheers
Chris

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Chris Evans

Much appreciated Fernando.

Just to make sure, the POB is from the quillons and not the where the cup meets the blade?

As I said in my PM, I am very, very envious.

Cheers
Chris

Yes Chris, from the quillons ... as adviced .
Thanks much for your interest ... and envy .

[Chris Evans]

Originally Posted by fernando

Yes Chris, from the quillons ... as adviced .
Thanks much for your interest ... and envy .

Enjoy!

Cheers
Chris

[fernando]

Now, this is what i could call a rather reasonable reconstitution of the silver rivets on the right side of the grip.
Mind you, i didn't tell the silversmith what shape the new rivets should have; i confess i wouldn't know myself.
I decided to leave it to his imagination and the result is not so bad, i would say. So far i don't regret it.

.

.

[Jim McDougall]

Handsomely and imaginatively done Nando!!!! It would seem this artisan picked up nicely on the extant geometric embellishments remaining and did a superb job of following suit.
Thank you for sharing this! You know my weakness for these!!

All the best,
Jim