Tomas De Aiala sword blade.

Jim McDougall · 15th May 2015, 07:23 PM

It is stamped and seems in accord with Solingen work, the date range seems reliable as Boccia & Coelho seems to be such a work . The attribution of the smallsword in to Florence, but it is more a provenance note . As Wallace Coll (Mann,1962) notes from during the lifetime of Tomas Aiala, his name had become rather a trademark for quality and it seems there were blades c1620 from Milan using it. Therefore this could equally, and even probably, be a Milan issue. It seems these 'eye' marks were not apparent in Solingen blades I can recall.

Jim

P.S. Jim, is the blade you refer to etched or stamped/engraved?[/QUOTE]

cornelistromp · 17th May 2015, 12:14 PM

Hi Norman,

as per your Email request, herewith my opinion;

I think it's a rapier blade (given the broad ricasso of same width indeed an early rapier blade and not a small sword blade) from the last quarter of the 16th century perhaps very early 17thC, given the eye mark, probably Italy.

Hope it helps.

best,
jasper

Norman McCormick · 17th May 2015, 06:42 PM

Hi Jim and Jasper,
Many thanks for your thoughts and input, much appreciated.
My Regards,
Norman.

15th May 2015, 07:23 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	It is stamped and seems in accord with Solingen work, the date range seems reliable as Boccia & Coelho seems to be such a work . The attribution of the smallsword in to Florence, but it is more a provenance note . As Wallace Coll (Mann,1962) notes from during the lifetime of Tomas Aiala, his name had become rather a trademark for quality and it seems there were blades c1620 from Milan using it. Therefore this could equally, and even probably, be a Milan issue. It seems these 'eye' marks were not apparent in Solingen blades I can recall. Jim P.S. Jim, is the blade you refer to etched or stamped/engraved?[/QUOTE]

17th May 2015, 12:14 PM	#2
cornelistromp Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,060	Hi Norman, as per your Email request, herewith my opinion; I think it's a rapier blade (given the broad ricasso of same width indeed an early rapier blade and not a small sword blade) from the last quarter of the 16th century perhaps very early 17thC, given the eye mark, probably Italy. Hope it helps. best, jasper

17th May 2015, 06:42 PM	#3
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,618	Hi Jim and Jasper, Many thanks for your thoughts and input, much appreciated. My Regards, Norman.