Portuguese navigator sword for comments

fernando · 22nd February 2018, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

... tho the protective ring on that side seems to have been broken off...

Nothing you miss, Wayne

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alexish · 23rd February 2018, 05:06 AM

Dear Collectors,

I think that the guard and quillon design on the Portuguese Navigator Sword must have somehow influenced the design of the elaborate Kastane sword of Sri Lanka. I hereby attach some pictures:

fernando · 23rd February 2018, 12:22 PM

Well alexish, if you spend some time browsing on this subject here in the forum, you will see that such possibility has been often discussed. However results are inconclusive, as proven evidence has not been established.

bvieira · 5th February 2021, 07:07 PM

Another one! comments are welcome.

Philip · 5th February 2021, 07:20 PM

Interesting. Looks like a recycled European saber blade? I'm wondering about the hilt, especially the grip/pommel junction. Front end of grip is darkened and shows wear from age, whereas rear looks relatively fresh, and its flat-sawn end stands apart from the globosity of the pommel. The guard looks right to me and the way the ricasso of the blade has been trimmed to fit the arms descending from the écusson is appropriate to the European antecedents to these African weapons. I don't know enough about equatorial African arms to tell whether the grooved spherical pommel is culturally appropriate in form and manufacture, but hopefully another forumite familiar with this material can comment.

Thanks for posting this example.

kronckew · 5th February 2021, 08:47 PM

I find the Mickey Mouse ear disks rather ugly. But that's just me. I fail to see a purpose for them as opposed to a more normal quillion design. Especially on a curved and probably single edged blade. As noted, the cylindrical grip looks like a mismatch to the pommel. A marriage not made in heaven.

bvieira · 5th February 2021, 09:57 PM

Hello,

My opinion is that this sword is a composite sword, mounted in the 19th century, in Africa, with a much older "colhonas" guard, a european sabre blade and a locally made pomel and grip. Either the way this kind of guard is very rare and this one is rather well constructed and has interesting features like the crosses and a "6" number in the back.

23rd February 2018, 05:06 AM	#2
alexish Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 127	Influence on Sri lankan Kastane sword Dear Collectors, I think that the guard and quillon design on the Portuguese Navigator Sword must have somehow influenced the design of the elaborate Kastane sword of Sri Lanka. I hereby attach some pictures: Attached Images

5th February 2021, 07:07 PM	#4
bvieira Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 108	Another one! comments are welcome. Attached Images

23rd February 2018, 12:22 PM	#3
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Well alexish, if you spend some time browsing on this subject here in the forum, you will see that such possibility has been often discussed. However results are inconclusive, as proven evidence has not been established.

5th February 2021, 07:20 PM	#5
Philip Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,036	Interesting. Looks like a recycled European saber blade? I'm wondering about the hilt, especially the grip/pommel junction. Front end of grip is darkened and shows wear from age, whereas rear looks relatively fresh, and its flat-sawn end stands apart from the globosity of the pommel. The guard looks right to me and the way the ricasso of the blade has been trimmed to fit the arms descending from the écusson is appropriate to the European antecedents to these African weapons. I don't know enough about equatorial African arms to tell whether the grooved spherical pommel is culturally appropriate in form and manufacture, but hopefully another forumite familiar with this material can comment. Thanks for posting this example.

5th February 2021, 08:47 PM	#6
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,259	I find the Mickey Mouse ear disks rather ugly. But that's just me. I fail to see a purpose for them as opposed to a more normal quillion design. Especially on a curved and probably single edged blade. As noted, the cylindrical grip looks like a mismatch to the pommel. A marriage not made in heaven.

5th February 2021, 09:57 PM	#7
bvieira Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 108	Hello, My opinion is that this sword is a composite sword, mounted in the 19th century, in Africa, with a much older "colhonas" guard, a european sabre blade and a locally made pomel and grip. Either the way this kind of guard is very rare and this one is rather well constructed and has interesting features like the crosses and a "6" number in the back.