Naval sword- opinions,please

Jeff D · 3rd June 2005, 01:23 AM

Is there any way you can post the pictures, I am unable to get any using your links.

Jeff

M ELEY · 3rd June 2005, 02:23 AM

Let's try this again, as the first link was bad...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=6533666477

Andrew · 3rd June 2005, 03:38 AM

Boy, that blade really does remind me of the sword we discussed on this old thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001880.html

The pix are long gone. I'll try to take some tomorrow and post them here for comparison.

By the way, it's good to see you posting, Mark. Welcome back.

M ELEY · 3rd June 2005, 02:11 PM

Thanks, Andrew! I still visit the site frequently (with all of this information from such esteemed sources, it would be foolish not to), but don't have much free time to post. Yes, I do remember this particular sword with its sharply curved blade. Well, thats one that didn't occur to me! There is a distinct possibility that this could be a Chinese cutlass. Still, if it weren't for the blade, I'd still assume British or American merchantman. Would like to see pics of that old sword we discussed again, though, for comparison.

Andrew · 3rd June 2005, 05:54 PM

The weather is conspiring against taking pix today, maybe tomorrow.

Certainly, the handles are very different. It's the blades that strike me as similar. It may be just the cosmetic appearance from similar pitting and age, but your description of the wedge-shape cross section had me thinking...

M ELEY · 3rd June 2005, 08:21 PM

The wedged blade does fit, especially with the dau swords. You mentioning this also got me to thinking how much the rounded-bowl guard on mine also resembles many of the Chinese guards, minus the knuckle bow. Hmmm...

RSWORD · 3rd June 2005, 10:31 PM

This sword has a composite feel to me. In looking closely at the pictures, there are a few things I notice:

1) The blade shape, profile and the way it widens at its tip plus also abruptly swings upwards reminds me most of Tulwar blades.

2) The ribbed grip has a more European flare and seems similar to those on early British naval cutlass.

3) The guard appears to be a much later add on. Notice that it is not peined through at the top and the part of the guard which fits over the blade looks forced on. If all componenets had been assembled at the same time one would expect the top to be peined and a much better and natural fit of the guard over the blade portion. In one of the pictures there seems to be a small remnant of glue or something coming from the area of the guard, blade and handle conjoining.

Now, this is not to say that these pieces did not come together a long time ago. Certainly one finds Indian blades mounted up in British hilts. You will be able to tell much better once you have the piece in hand.

3rd June 2005, 01:23 AM	#1
Jeff D Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 473	Is there any way you can post the pictures, I am unable to get any using your links. Jeff

3rd June 2005, 02:23 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Let's try this again, as the first link was bad... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=6533666477

3rd June 2005, 03:38 AM	#3
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Boy, that blade really does remind me of the sword we discussed on this old thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001880.html The pix are long gone. I'll try to take some tomorrow and post them here for comparison. By the way, it's good to see you posting, Mark. Welcome back.

3rd June 2005, 02:11 PM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Thanks, Andrew! I still visit the site frequently (with all of this information from such esteemed sources, it would be foolish not to), but don't have much free time to post. Yes, I do remember this particular sword with its sharply curved blade. Well, thats one that didn't occur to me! There is a distinct possibility that this could be a Chinese cutlass. Still, if it weren't for the blade, I'd still assume British or American merchantman. Would like to see pics of that old sword we discussed again, though, for comparison.

3rd June 2005, 05:54 PM	#5
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	The weather is conspiring against taking pix today, maybe tomorrow. Certainly, the handles are very different. It's the blades that strike me as similar. It may be just the cosmetic appearance from similar pitting and age, but your description of the wedge-shape cross section had me thinking...

3rd June 2005, 08:21 PM	#6
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	The wedged blade does fit, especially with the dau swords. You mentioning this also got me to thinking how much the rounded-bowl guard on mine also resembles many of the Chinese guards, minus the knuckle bow. Hmmm...

3rd June 2005, 10:31 PM	#7
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,086	This sword has a composite feel to me. In looking closely at the pictures, there are a few things I notice: 1) The blade shape, profile and the way it widens at its tip plus also abruptly swings upwards reminds me most of Tulwar blades. 2) The ribbed grip has a more European flare and seems similar to those on early British naval cutlass. 3) The guard appears to be a much later add on. Notice that it is not peined through at the top and the part of the guard which fits over the blade looks forced on. If all componenets had been assembled at the same time one would expect the top to be peined and a much better and natural fit of the guard over the blade portion. In one of the pictures there seems to be a small remnant of glue or something coming from the area of the guard, blade and handle conjoining. Now, this is not to say that these pieces did not come together a long time ago. Certainly one finds Indian blades mounted up in British hilts. You will be able to tell much better once you have the piece in hand.