Very Old Firangi with Rapier blade in need of restoration.

[katana]

After reading Fernando's post on this thread...

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...?t=5453&page=1


Perhaps the 'dot grouping' of a row of 4 with one dot above is to signify the number 14 or 41.

Originally Posted by fernando

........and with the magic numbers 1414 or 1441, are the oldest examples, which origin is attributed to Portuguese Colonial Arsenals and the realms of Dom Manuel ( 1495-1521 ) untill Dom Sebastião ( 1557-1578). It is worthy to mention that the numbers 1414 and 1441 were not the date of production ( under which very often they were classified ) but uniquely the application of a number considered “magic”. The study of numerology, a fashion of the period, attributed to figure “7”, as to its multiples and combinations, a Divine value. While the Arab cried Allah il Allah, the Christian would engrave the number 7 or, more often the 14 ( this being two times 7 ), or 1414 ( this being two times 7 plus another two times 7 ) or 1441 ( being 14 and the palidrome of another 14) on his blade, wishing to express this way his cry for Divine help in all four directions, as from the moment he unsheathed his sword. Number 1414 is also a reference to the Bible; Job, chapter 14, paragrapgh 14: Man dying, will he live again? Every days of my combat i would wait, untill my change arrived (in the Catholic version). Luther, much considered in Germany in the XVI century, has translated the Greek original, offering in simple language,the following interpretation to this Biblic quotation: When a man dyes, he will live again. So i will continue fighting until my moment comes."
All the best
Fernando

[RSWORD]

Am I seeing lamination in the fullers?

[katana]

Originally Posted by RSWORD

Am I seeing lamination in the fullers?

Hi RS, it is very difficult to tell....the surface of the blade has a great deal of 'micro' pitting. I think all I can say with certainty is .....possibly.


Hi Jim,
I thought the 'dot' pattern of 4 and 1 could be a possible reference to 14, I'm hoping that Fernando may be able to find a reference to this type of marking. Do you think I should repeat my last posting on the ' early maker's trade marking' thread ?

I have been researching Rapiers in an effort to be able to approx. date the blade, it's combat use etc. and hope to post my findings soon.

Kind Regards David

[Jim McDougall]

Absolutely, please do post on the other thread David!
I'm looking forward to what you find on the rapier blade, and I think this sword will be a valuable addition to the thread on markings. It seems we are really expanding the understanding of the markings we are finding, from these simple numerically arranged dots to more complex forms of symbol.

All best regards,
Jim

[Jim McDougall]

Very astute observation David! That really does seem to tie in with the fascinating variables in concert with the numeric 7 as you have noted. Fernando has been instrumental in providing remarkable data on the numerics and markings that illustrate the importance of symbolism that exists on these blades from the Portuguese parlance. Clearly this is key with our topic on the thread we have going on 'Early Makers Trade Markings' and the history of the markings that occur on ethnographic weapons' blades.
This firangi of yours is perfect evidence for that topic!

Nicely done!!!

All best regards,
Jim