Potential Gem Amongst The Rough

[Iain]

Originally Posted by shaun2k

Thank you for that image, it is that type of sword to sad to say, it must have had the end damaged and re pointed, obviously i was spun a yarn by the previous owner..it must certainly wasn't found in the ground in Torrington by his grandad, he obviously knew this, and that makes 12 months of research and excitement vanish very fast.. I'm really gutted because i made myself look a fool in front of some of the leading specialists in the country..

I was right though about one thing, i said it wasn't from England originally..

A few lessons here have been taken in.

i paid £400.00 for it + 300 miles of fuel, wasted 12 months of my social life and made myself look very stupid.

no-wonder the antiquity world are cagey about new artifacts really, if this is how low people go to make a few quid

Hi Shaun,

I didn't want to elaborate too much in my first post because I know all too well the pain of a purchase that was not what you expected and the time spent figuring it out. I have to say you are taking it better than most collectors I know!

There are a ridiculous number of fakes on the market when it comes to ancient and European arms and sadly once an item has passed through an auction house or two, this starts to be taken as provenance. There are also those out there who don't hesitate to cobble together parts and call it something unique for the unsuspecting buyer. Sad, but unfortunately the state of the collecting world these days. I rarely buy on the open market anymore myself even though my area of specialty is thankfully rarely troubled by deliberate fakes.

[fernando]

Hi Shaun,
Nobody looks like a fool for being defrauded in this forum, as nobody should out there, either.
We all have once (or twice, you count it) been taken for a ride.
If someone tells you that experience is achieved without making mistakes, is surely lying with all his teeth.

[Pukka Bundook]

Shaun,

As 'Nando just said, we have all been taken at some point.
I am really impressed how you handled this, as I know it is rather soul-destroying when it happens!
I know it will be a lesson well learned, and look forward to seeing you post in the future.

All the best,
Richard.

[T. Koch]

Hi Shaun!

I mostly hang out over in the Ethno-section but I just read your thread here and thought I'd tell you this. Sincerely hope you are still around to read it bro.

It happens all the time that people come on the forum, here and elsewhere, to present an item which then turns out to be something very different - an often less - than they expected. One of two things then usually happens: 1) They leave and never make a sound beyond the initial post - or - 2) They get really angry, start arguing and then leave and never make another sound.

I just want to thank you for not being like this! You seem like a smart and enthusiastic guy and it takes (internet-)guts to stand up and display your mistakes like this. I can surely understand that you are pissed about having been taken for a ride - I would be too - but I just want you to know, that even though the back-story of the sword turned out to be fake, the excitement you felt researching the sword during those 12 months is a very real and tangible thing! Holding these things in hand is a fantastic rush and a direct connection back to history! It's like a bug that makes most of us around here go crazy and depending on your specific area of interest, it's a thrill that can certainly be had for less than £400,-.

When you take a hit like you just have, one just have to roll with the punches and as you said yourself, learn the lesson and move on. Read as much as you possibly can on your area of focus and try to meet up with local people, if you have the opportunity.
These boards are also an incredible resource as well as a nice place to hang out and I sincerely hope you will stick around and soon post some new stuff.


With the very best wishes, - Thor