Brass Dagger

Rick · 29th November 2006, 09:43 PM

I like it in patina myself.
This piece is most likely NOT made for want of steel.
In my opinion it has a specific purpose.

Copper can be work hardened cold.

Robert · 29th November 2006, 10:41 PM

Rick,
Do you have an idea of what the specific purpose for this would have been? If you do please let me know as I am trying to find out as much as I can about this very interesting piece. I thank you again for your help.

Robert

Rick · 30th November 2006, 12:44 AM

IIRC some Indo/Malay cultures believe that a wound made with a Copper blade is invariably fatal.

Toer mentions this in the Buru Quartet , again IIRC.

Try a Google ; YMMV.

Robert · 30th November 2006, 01:46 AM

Rick,
Thank you again for the information. Not trying to sound too stupid but what do IIRC and YMMV mean?

Robert

Rick · 30th November 2006, 01:54 AM

If I Recall Correctly
and
Your Mileage May Vary

Robert · 30th November 2006, 03:22 AM

OK, Now I do feel stupid!

Rick · 30th November 2006, 02:55 PM

Sorry Robert , I cut my teeth on USENET Newsgroups .

A lot of those originated there .

Have you had any luck Googling Malay beliefs about copper weapons ?

Battara · 1st December 2006, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

IIRC some Indo/Malay cultures believe that a wound made with a Copper blade is invariably fatal.

I have heard this before. Some of this I can attribute to the oxidation of copper which is fatal, a copper oxide poisoning (thus tin was added to the bottom of copper pots).

Any other purpose -

If you find anything else please post, I am not aware of any Filipino reason for a copper blade.

Robert · 1st December 2006, 09:03 PM

Hi Jose,
So far I haven't able to find anything specific on Filipino use of copper blades but I have found a lot of information on other cultures beliefs on the using of copper for blades. If anyone else here on the forum has any information on this subject please post. Here are a couple of new pictures. I had to take these inside as we had a 14" snowfall last night and because of all the metal I have in me I cannot tolerate cold weather at all.

Total length 8"
Blade length 4-1/2"
Blade width at hilt 1"

not2sharp · 3rd December 2006, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

IIRC some Indo/Malay cultures believe that a wound made with a Copper blade is invariably fatal.

Toer mentions this in the Buru Quartet , again IIRC.

Try a Google ; YMMV.

Then again; perhaps the locals were tempted by the mass availability of brass (spent shell casings) abandon all over the place after WWII.

n2s

Robert · 3rd December 2006, 06:14 AM

not2sharp,
I thought about this but the blade is copper not brass plus I believe this to be pre WWII. What I am wondering about is what was the purpose of making a blade out of copper and not steel?

Robert

Tim Simmons · 3rd December 2006, 05:34 PM

The blade.

Robert · 4th December 2006, 05:02 AM

Tim, Is this crossed pinned to secure it to the shaft? It definitely looks like it could be quite functional to me. Is it brass and could you post a side picture of the blade to give a better idea of its design?

Robert

30th November 2006, 12:44 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	For What It's Worth IIRC some Indo/Malay cultures believe that a wound made with a Copper blade is invariably fatal. Toer mentions this in the Buru Quartet , again IIRC. Try a Google ; YMMV.

30th November 2006, 01:54 AM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Web Acronyms If I Recall Correctly and Your Mileage May Vary

1st December 2006, 09:03 PM	#9
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hi Jose, So far I haven't able to find anything specific on Filipino use of copper blades but I have found a lot of information on other cultures beliefs on the using of copper for blades. If anyone else here on the forum has any information on this subject please post. Here are a couple of new pictures. I had to take these inside as we had a 14" snowfall last night and because of all the metal I have in me I cannot tolerate cold weather at all. Total length 8" Blade length 4-1/2" Blade width at hilt 1" Attached Images

29th November 2006, 09:43 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	I like it in patina myself. This piece is most likely NOT made for want of steel. In my opinion it has a specific purpose. Copper can be work hardened cold.

29th November 2006, 10:41 PM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Rick, Do you have an idea of what the specific purpose for this would have been? If you do please let me know as I am trying to find out as much as I can about this very interesting piece. I thank you again for your help. Robert

30th November 2006, 01:46 AM	#4
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Rick, Thank you again for the information. Not trying to sound too stupid but what do IIRC and YMMV mean? Robert

30th November 2006, 03:22 AM	#6
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	OK, Now I do feel stupid!

30th November 2006, 02:55 PM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Sorry Robert , I cut my teeth on USENET Newsgroups . A lot of those originated there . Have you had any luck Googling Malay beliefs about copper weapons ?

3rd December 2006, 06:14 AM	#11
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	not2sharp, I thought about this but the blade is copper not brass plus I believe this to be pre WWII. What I am wondering about is what was the purpose of making a blade out of copper and not steel? Robert

3rd December 2006, 05:34 PM	#12
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,854	The blade.

4th December 2006, 05:02 AM	#13
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Tim, Is this crossed pinned to secure it to the shaft? It definitely looks like it could be quite functional to me. Is it brass and could you post a side picture of the blade to give a better idea of its design? Robert