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19th November 2009, 06:02 PM
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#1 |
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NC, U.S.A.
Posts: 2,141
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Trying again...
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19th November 2009, 06:08 PM
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#2 |
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NC, U.S.A.
Posts: 2,141
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More pics...
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19th November 2009, 06:11 PM
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#3 |
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NC, U.S.A.
Posts: 2,141
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Thanks, Rick! That program you recommended was easy to use. I did it myself- gasp!
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19th November 2009, 06:19 PM
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#4 |
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NC, U.S.A.
Posts: 2,141
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The sword measures just under 22" long with a 17" blade, so I guess it could be either a short hanger or long dagger. As already stated, the interesting wood grip cut with grooves with metal strapwork (damaged on one side). The alloy isn't white metal, silver, or lead (not soft enough). It could be tin or pewter (I suspect the latter). Note the small hole in the quillon, possibly for a chain link or knot? So...what is it? Euro hanger, colonial piece, Spanish espada? Dagger or sword? Late 18th, early or mid-19th? Thanks all.
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19th November 2009, 06:24 PM
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#5 |
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Kent
Posts: 2,658
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Hi
I would not rule out Africa......there are a number of similar swords originating from West Africa.....Although I have not seen one with the 'spiral' decorated hilt. All the best David |
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19th November 2009, 06:58 PM
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#6 |
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Kent
Posts: 2,658
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Just a quick thought....the metal 'spiral' could be a zinc alloy. Africans are masters of utilising any resource. They obtain the zinc alloy from the outer casing of dry cell batteries. (invented late 19th C).
Bearing in mind many areas are fairly remote from electrical supplies, the use of batteries by colonalists was increasingly more widespread as the 20th C progressed. Discharged batteries were not re-chargeable and discarded. A fairly similar sword from Africa http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=toureg Regards David . |
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20th November 2009, 02:31 AM
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#7 |
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NC, U.S.A.
Posts: 2,141
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Hmmm...I guess it was presumptive of me to not think of a possible ethnographic origin. It could indeed be African, but I still think this piece has some aging to it. I also was thinking about zinc, but being that it's use came later in the 19th, I dismissed it. Is there any test I could do to positively identify the alloy in the hilt? I still think it is tin or pewter, but not sure.
If it is African, I hope it's Algerian or Moroccan (Pirate!!  ), but the piece looks more European/N American to me.- 
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19th November 2009, 06:18 PM
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#8 |
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Kent
Posts: 2,658
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Hi M Eley
 ,well done  Having loads of teenagers around I had to learn quickly...to save face Hope you don't mind ..I have re-edited your picture and reposted. I'm lucky, I have a photo editor which is easy to use. All the best David Ah dear......since writing this post.......loads more pictures have been posted  You have obviously mastered it now  . |
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19th November 2009, 06:36 PM
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#9 | |
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(deceased)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Portugal
Posts: 9,694
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Quote:
 Fernando |
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