Iron Age or Roman Sword

templarnight · 25th October 2015, 12:56 AM

Any ideas?

Bob A · 25th October 2015, 02:16 AM

I con't comment on the sword, but the textile fragment must certainly be considerably more recent. don't think it could survive contact with iron oxide for a prolonged period without disintegrating.

My experience of iron-based dyes on wool - used to create a black color in the pile - is that wool so treated would become so brittle that it would wear down to the warp and weft over several decades.

Not much help, alas.

ulfberth · 25th October 2015, 09:30 AM

Hi Templar,

The blade look like the relics of an Oakshot XVIIIb type blade, the reason it looks a bit leaf shaped is due to rust and and deterioration.
The pommel and textile are of later date.

Kind regards

Ulfberth

templarnight · 25th October 2015, 03:21 PM

I have to disagree. I'm sure that this blade is shaped by design rather than corrosion. I have a collection of medieval swords and really don't think it's medieval.
I also feel sure that the Pommel is original. I have seen ancient swords with this type of pommel but cannot think where I have seen them!

ulfberth · 25th October 2015, 04:08 PM

Hi Templar ,

of course if you can compare them in your hands you have a better view.
95 cm of length does seem very for long for a leaf blade, iron age or roman sword.

kind regards

Ulfberth

broadaxe · 25th October 2015, 11:02 PM

I'm thinking of Roman Spatha here. Two similar length swords were excavated in Masada and in Gamla, which makes it a very early Spatha (late 1st c. CE).

templarnight · 26th October 2015, 11:35 AM

Yes I felt it could be a Spatha. Are there any online sites where I can find the two you mention?

25th October 2015, 09:30 AM	#3
ulfberth Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 412	Hi Templar, The blade look like the relics of an Oakshot XVIIIb type blade, the reason it looks a bit leaf shaped is due to rust and and deterioration. The pommel and textile are of later date. Kind regards Ulfberth Attached Images

25th October 2015, 12:56 AM	#1
templarnight Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 87	Any ideas?

25th October 2015, 02:16 AM	#2
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 435	I con't comment on the sword, but the textile fragment must certainly be considerably more recent. don't think it could survive contact with iron oxide for a prolonged period without disintegrating. My experience of iron-based dyes on wool - used to create a black color in the pile - is that wool so treated would become so brittle that it would wear down to the warp and weft over several decades. Not much help, alas.

25th October 2015, 03:21 PM	#4
templarnight Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 87	I have to disagree. I'm sure that this blade is shaped by design rather than corrosion. I have a collection of medieval swords and really don't think it's medieval. I also feel sure that the Pommel is original. I have seen ancient swords with this type of pommel but cannot think where I have seen them!

25th October 2015, 04:08 PM	#5
ulfberth Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 412	Hi Templar , of course if you can compare them in your hands you have a better view. 95 cm of length does seem very for long for a leaf blade, iron age or roman sword. kind regards Ulfberth

25th October 2015, 11:02 PM	#6
broadaxe Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 334	I'm thinking of Roman Spatha here. Two similar length swords were excavated in Masada and in Gamla, which makes it a very early Spatha (late 1st c. CE).

26th October 2015, 11:35 AM	#7
templarnight Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 87	Yes I felt it could be a Spatha. Are there any online sites where I can find the two you mention?