Unusual sword

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.

Rick · 17th August 2006, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSWORD

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.

So Rick , do you think it may be a rapier blade ?

It would seem that it is of too high a quality to be a trade object .

RSWORD · 17th August 2006, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

So Rick , do you think it may be a rapier blade ?

It would seem that it is of too high a quality to be a trade object .

I do think it is a rapier blade and would not be surprised if beneath the handle there is the typical ricasso found on these early rapiers. The fullering is quite nicely done although I cannot tell from the pictures if the waves were forged or created from stock removal. They lack the "grace" of forged waves but we do not have good close up shots of these areas of the blade. The blade shows a tremendous amount of surface wear and corrosion and I tend to think it is quite early, possibly 16th or 17th century.

It would be really, really nice if this blade could talk. Who knows how a very early rapier blade ended up in an old weapons collection in the Congo. If we agree the "etchings" are much later than the blade, perhaps the blade had already been converted into a walking cane which was not uncommon in the 18th and 19th century and found it's way to Africa via missionary or other routes and therefore was not mounted up in Africa but elsewhere and left behind by a 19th century visitor.

16th August 2006, 04:49 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	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	#4
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, 05:23 PM	#2
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	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	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	#6
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,087	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.