What can you tell me about this sword?

RSWORD · 21st November 2006, 02:21 AM

I would offer a few possibities as to the difference in patina between hilt and blade. Perhaps there was a surviving scabbard for a good part of the blades life that protected much of the blade. The hilt would have remained unprotected while the blade better protected. A broken tip of the scabbard could have allowed more exposure to the blade tip than the balance of the blade. Also, another factor, is maintenance probably would have been more often for the blade than the hilt. I doubt the hilt was ever oiled or wiped down while I am sure the blade was. Another factor is that the blade and hilt are of different steel. I am sure a well forged Soligen blade of good steel would corrode at a different rate than the iron/steel that the hilt was made of which is probably a bit more crude than the blade. All of these factors would play into the hilt being more corroded than the blade over a period of a few hundred years.

Jim McDougall · 21st November 2006, 02:33 AM

Excellent observations Rick!!! I agree 100%

Hadn't thought of the scabbard possibility. The hilts on these were typically painted black (japanned) to protect the iron from rusting in the damp climate, and as this deteriorated and flaked off, they were open to rust.In examining many of these, you can still see traces of the black paint amidst the rust.

Best regards,
Jim

Tim Simmons · 21st November 2006, 07:19 AM

Oh okay then

!!!!

Good point about maybe having a scabbard for a long time. When as we often do see phooey stuff it is always like this so one gets a little careful. Once bitten------

Jim McDougall · 22nd November 2006, 03:19 AM

Well said Tim!

Once bitten? I got about three decades of scar tissue from pretty sour deals I learned from!! so being careful is absolutely OK.
All the best,
Jim

RSWORD · 22nd November 2006, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Well said Tim!

Once bitten? I got about three decades of scar tissue from pretty sour deals I learned from!! so being careful is absolutely OK.
All the best,
Jim

We are enrolled in an university where tuition is paid with our sour deals and poor purchase decisions.

Rick · 22nd November 2006, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSWORD

We are enrolled in an university where tuition is paid with our sour deals and poor purchase decisions.

RhysMichael · 22nd November 2006, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSWORD

We are enrolled in an university where tuition is paid with our sour deals and poor purchase decisions.

I've got the T-shirt on that for sure. My grandson has most of my mistakes on his wall. At 10 years old they are still treasures to him

The Double D · 25th January 2007, 04:23 AM

After this post comments stopped I printed all out and mailed them to the sword owner. He was very excited about what he read. He thanks everyone for the responses. He doesn't do computers and says he trys to keep his distance from them; to mysterious. He wants to correspond with Jim McDougall, so I will send a PM.

Thanks again.

21st November 2006, 02:21 AM	#1
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,093	I would offer a few possibities as to the difference in patina between hilt and blade. Perhaps there was a surviving scabbard for a good part of the blades life that protected much of the blade. The hilt would have remained unprotected while the blade better protected. A broken tip of the scabbard could have allowed more exposure to the blade tip than the balance of the blade. Also, another factor, is maintenance probably would have been more often for the blade than the hilt. I doubt the hilt was ever oiled or wiped down while I am sure the blade was. Another factor is that the blade and hilt are of different steel. I am sure a well forged Soligen blade of good steel would corrode at a different rate than the iron/steel that the hilt was made of which is probably a bit more crude than the blade. All of these factors would play into the hilt being more corroded than the blade over a period of a few hundred years.

21st November 2006, 02:33 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,660	Excellent observations Rick!!! I agree 100% Hadn't thought of the scabbard possibility. The hilts on these were typically painted black (japanned) to protect the iron from rusting in the damp climate, and as this deteriorated and flaked off, they were open to rust.In examining many of these, you can still see traces of the black paint amidst the rust. Best regards, Jim

21st November 2006, 07:19 AM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,922	Oh okay then !!!! Good point about maybe having a scabbard for a long time. When as we often do see phooey stuff it is always like this so one gets a little careful. Once bitten------

22nd November 2006, 03:19 AM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,660	Well said Tim! Once bitten? I got about three decades of scar tissue from pretty sour deals I learned from!! so being careful is absolutely OK. All the best, Jim

25th January 2007, 04:23 AM	#8
The Double D Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: On the banks of Cut Bank Creek, Montana Posts: 189	After this post comments stopped I printed all out and mailed them to the sword owner. He was very excited about what he read. He thanks everyone for the responses. He doesn't do computers and says he trys to keep his distance from them; to mysterious. He wants to correspond with Jim McDougall, so I will send a PM. Thanks again.