British Wootz Sword

rand · 5th August 2007, 07:57 PM

This sword has no scabbard and a blade that most likely should not have originally be etched. For me I would have wanted to look very closely at the peen marks on tang where it has been peened over the pommel. A close inspection of wear and soil accumulation on the wire grip would be wanted too. Neither of these are shown clearly in a listing photo. A buyer could have asked for these and hopefully gotten them. I don't see any indication of wootz from the photo's shown. All go's back to that the Buyer could have asked for more pics to base their decisions on.

Its just that I see a lot of swords polished, etched and then called damascus steel to increase selling value and not accurate to their original state. Its usually newer collectors that buy these and find out later what they have. Am I too jaded? Or telling it like it is?

rand

ariel · 10th August 2007, 03:33 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=019

And here is another one, very similar.This time, it is French(?)

rand · 10th August 2007, 06:13 PM

This is yet another example of a sword somewhat polished and etched that was never meant to be. Someone is just trying to create a sense of greater value calling it damascus steel.

Then later the buyer will come to a show, eagerly show you his pride and joy sword and you have to tell him the truth.

To me these are red flags, an indication of embellishment not original to item.

Will be interesting to see what happens if he sells a sword to the Vice Presidents personal physician.

rand

Lew · 10th August 2007, 10:30 PM

I actually like this sword and the price is fair.

Lew

spiral · 11th August 2007, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES

I actually like this sword and the price is fair.

Lew

You could have bid then perhaps? if you so wished? But I must agree a reasonsable price was reached by bidders. Perhaps his other swords will do well though.

To my eye the bluing looks rather Retouched as well though unfortuantly, which is rather a value destroyer in my opinion..

Spiral

5th August 2007, 07:57 PM	#1
rand Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 539	Something to ponder This sword has no scabbard and a blade that most likely should not have originally be etched. For me I would have wanted to look very closely at the peen marks on tang where it has been peened over the pommel. A close inspection of wear and soil accumulation on the wire grip would be wanted too. Neither of these are shown clearly in a listing photo. A buyer could have asked for these and hopefully gotten them. I don't see any indication of wootz from the photo's shown. All go's back to that the Buyer could have asked for more pics to base their decisions on. Its just that I see a lot of swords polished, etched and then called damascus steel to increase selling value and not accurate to their original state. Its usually newer collectors that buy these and find out later what they have. Am I too jaded? Or telling it like it is? rand

10th August 2007, 06:13 PM	#3
rand Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 539	Falsely Embellished Sword This is yet another example of a sword somewhat polished and etched that was never meant to be. Someone is just trying to create a sense of greater value calling it damascus steel. Then later the buyer will come to a show, eagerly show you his pride and joy sword and you have to tell him the truth. To me these are red flags, an indication of embellishment not original to item. Will be interesting to see what happens if he sells a sword to the Vice Presidents personal physician. rand

10th August 2007, 03:33 PM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=019 And here is another one, very similar.This time, it is French(?)

10th August 2007, 10:30 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	I actually like this sword and the price is fair. Lew