Interesting cutlass on ebay

[ErnestoJuan]

Haha ,

Very funny Ariel especially the "support group" mentioned.

Valhjun, you are right you did not buy this, the seller has a "Feedback: 97.1% Positive " .

I avoid anything lower than 99.7 % positive like the plague..

[ariel]

The 97% rate is due to the fact that the seller got 2 negatives from the same buyer. We do not know the details of that transaction and cannot pass judgement.

[Mark]

5 lbs? The description says 3.5, which is a reasonable weight. The fuller runs right to the guard - could this be a cut-down and remounted kilij blade, perhaps one that broke in half? The dings along the spine could have been the result of hammering a twisted or bent blade flat again. It is hard to tell if they extend the complete length of the spine, or are just near the forte. Another encouraging thing (well, for the seller, not for you, Valjhun ) is that the fuller does not appear to be ground, and it follows the curve of the blade.

[Tim Simmons]

No doubt that the blade is real and has come from an old weapon. I do not like the pride of the hammer marks on the pommel either. Even if this was made by a tribal village blacksmith it is crude. The bars came from a big lump of expensive metal. Even the crudest African knives I have display more aestheticism.

[katana]

The first of the two marks looks like a 'W' or 'M' on its side, tried to 'Goggle' it and was surprised that there appears to be no lists of maker's marks....

It does look a 'bitsa' sword.
However, if these alterations etc. happened over a period of time, then IMHO it is an interesting sword with, perhaps an engaging history.

[Mark]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

No doubt that the blade is real and has come from an old weapon. I do not like the pride of the hammer marks on the pommel either. Even if this was made by a tribal village blacksmith it is crude. The bars came from a big lump of expensive metal. Even the crudest African knives I have display more aestheticism.

AHA! You said "crude," twice no less!

[wolviex]

Originally Posted by Mark Bowditch

The fuller runs right to the guard - could this be a cut-down and remounted kilij blade, perhaps one that broke in half?

It could be but also it is typical for many such weapons. Here is similiar one (picture below), thought a little better example.

Not judging about it's quality or authenticity, I would like to notice, that I held many strange weapons of weird constructions and many later alterations. In 19th century many collectors repaired their 'toys' in ways you could get creeps on your back thought these are real antique weapons too. Beside I'm starting to believe you're trying to prove that everything what was crude and poor couldn't exist and I'm sure (again writing this in a little separation to this ebay item) that our ancestors used many low qaulity weapons too. The truth is, that such weapons are great rarity, because were much often in use then better examples, and it was easier to damage them. Beside there had to be many bunglers in 17th century too.

IMHO I would be very careful with this one from ebay too, I don't like some of the features mentioned here already, thought without wielding it I would be careful with final judgement

[Tim Simmons]

Very good point not every combatant has lots of money. The example you show is not just a little better it is very nice, the sweep of the quillions balanced superbly by a lovely pommel.

[katana]

It is my understanding that lowly peasants 'recuited' into the armies of bygone days were often only armed with agricultural tools. I personally would prefer to use a similar sword featured ...than a poorly made sythe or pitchfork.

[Tim Simmons]

I do not think this goes that far back .