Unusual sword

Rick · 16th August 2006, 03:16 PM

Looks like European markings.
Could be an old flamboyant rapier blade .

wolviex · 16th August 2006, 04:11 PM

Very nice and unusual find!
Etchings on the blade are from the 2nd half of the 18th century. Etched lady is Diane - in Roman mitology godness of forest and animals, always depicted as hunting lady. I can't recognize the second person on the other side of the blade under the sun - the picture is fainted.
The blade is European for sure, probably even earlier. Open-work - those holes on the blade, reminds me some of the 17th or even 16th century blades, but I think the first conjecture will be closer to the truth.
I believe the others will tell you more about it.

Regards

fernando · 16th August 2006, 04:14 PM

once converted into a concealed weapon, like a sword cane or stick, now missing the blade cover part ?

Rick · 16th August 2006, 04:49 PM

I see drums and flags at the ricasso .
How about doing a rubbing of the marks ?
I think you're correct with an earlier age Michael; if this is indeed a rapier blade the length would be in keeping with that which was popular in the mid to late 16th, early 17th century . The thing that puzzles me is the half waved half straight form .

katana · 16th August 2006, 05:23 PM

Usually with straight blades,the opponent's blade would tend to 'slide' down it... when parrying a strike (or when your strike is parried) Seeing that there is no guard to prevent the hand being struck, perhaps the 'waves' tended to prevent this. Especially if this blade is from a sword stick...... which generally do not have any form of guard.

Congoblades · 16th August 2006, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

I see drums and flags at the ricasso .
How about doing a rubbing of the marks ?

I did that, it didn'nt work very well, those marks are superficial, perhaps I must try again.

Congoblades · 16th August 2006, 08:37 PM

Some different light used to make the picture.

Thanks all for the respons, intresting so far

Rick · 16th August 2006, 09:33 PM

Hmmm, nice pictures Congo' .
Now they look like bucklers possibly; I still think those are banners to each side .

RSWORD · 16th August 2006, 10:52 PM

It is possible the blade is of Portuguese origin. Portugal had very early dealings in Africa and I could see this piece being a holdover from those early adventures.

16th August 2006, 04:49 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	I see drums and flags at the ricasso . How about doing a rubbing of the marks ? I think you're correct with an earlier age Michael; if this is indeed a rapier blade the length would be in keeping with that which was popular in the mid to late 16th, early 17th century . The thing that puzzles me is the half waved half straight form . Last edited by Rick; 16th August 2006 at 05:03 PM.

16th August 2006, 08:37 PM	#7
Congoblades Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Belgium Posts: 171	Some different light used to make the picture. Thanks all for the respons, intresting so far Attached Images

16th August 2006, 03:16 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Looks like European markings. Could be an old flamboyant rapier blade .

16th August 2006, 04:11 PM	#2
wolviex Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Poland, Krakow Posts: 418	Very nice and unusual find! Etchings on the blade are from the 2nd half of the 18th century. Etched lady is Diane - in Roman mitology godness of forest and animals, always depicted as hunting lady. I can't recognize the second person on the other side of the blade under the sun - the picture is fainted. The blade is European for sure, probably even earlier. Open-work - those holes on the blade, reminds me some of the 17th or even 16th century blades, but I think the first conjecture will be closer to the truth. I believe the others will tell you more about it. Regards

16th August 2006, 04:14 PM	#3
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	once converted into a concealed weapon, like a sword cane or stick, now missing the blade cover part ?

16th August 2006, 05:23 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Usually with straight blades,the opponent's blade would tend to 'slide' down it... when parrying a strike (or when your strike is parried) Seeing that there is no guard to prevent the hand being struck, perhaps the 'waves' tended to prevent this. Especially if this blade is from a sword stick...... which generally do not have any form of guard.

16th August 2006, 09:33 PM	#8
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Hmmm, nice pictures Congo' . Now they look like bucklers possibly; I still think those are banners to each side .

16th August 2006, 10:52 PM	#9
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,086	It is possible the blade is of Portuguese origin. Portugal had very early dealings in Africa and I could see this piece being a holdover from those early adventures.