Sosun Patta translation please

[Gavin Nugent]

Thanks again Bhushan;

How do you think this "stamping" of the code came about?

I'd say the weapon is a lot older than the last hundred years, but how old I honestly have no idea as to an approx time period. I think images when they come to hand will certainly help.

Does anyone have any insight in to the comings and goings of the Sosun Patta in a historical time line as such, when they first appeared as a Sosun Patta and when the were last seen in active service?

I also wonder about the damascus steel seen in the image above, would it be considered birds eye damascus?

Thanks again.

Gav

[RSWORD]

Am looking forward to complete pictures of the sword and better detailed pics of the blade and the pattern. From what we can see in the pic provided, the blade is of pattern welded steel. I would not classify it as a bird's eye pattern as the circular patterns we see are much more elongated than what you typically see associated with the bird's eye pattern. That pattern the circular patterns are much tighter and in closer proximation that what is pictured. However, the pattern shown does show promise to being an active pattern weld probably with the circular patterns throughout the central portion of the blade and I would guess some wavy, longitudinal laminations along the edge and possibly along the spine.

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you so much Rick for your insight on the metallurgy of this fascinating piece! I am always amazed at your astute eye in discerning the sometimes very intricate detail in these blade patterns.
I am hoping this information will help in trying to assess the likely provenance of this sword, which has a hilt quite unusual...really looking forward to seeing more on it when it arrives in Gav's lair!!!!

All the best,
Jim

[Gavin Nugent]

It has been some time, images as promised, keeper keeper keeper!!!

http://www.swordsantiqueweapons.com/s085_full.html

I absolutely love this sword and I would have loved to have bought Artzi's Wootz example he recently parted with, it seemed to be of similar form in the blade.
The Sosun is my fav by far, and as a favorite it exceeds even the rarest of Chinese weapons I have in my collection and that is a big call for me.

Gav

[Jens Nordlunde]

It seems to me that most, if not all, the armoury markings are
'relativity' new, although the blade/sword could be a lot older .

[Gavin Nugent]

Hi Jens,

Yes indeed from talks I have had about this type of text, the markings could well be younger...though as you note the hilt and blade could be much older.
Through conversations with some of your peers in your neck of the woods, it has been noted that this piece is most likely 18th century. How and why the blade was marked as it is, remains a mystery. There is evidence of gold remaining in the script.
Another aspect that I note is a contradiction of sorts, though contradicitons can be many in the study of arms...... The text in my opinion, based on the first character is stamped, I say this because the fuller is "pushed" in at this point, an effect I ponder could have happened whilst the blade had heat in it, I am not saying steel doesn't move when cold but I think such a fine precise character mark with no blemishing around it could not have been struck as it was and do that to a fuller cold without leaving further marks...only speculation for the moment. The contradiction is that the characters also appear to be finely chiseled, are all of varing depth within each character and lines from differing directions can be seen to overlap underlying chiselling and the depth and edges are not cut as a stamp would.....
Then comes to mind is that after a blade is forged, although one can be forged with fullers, they are for the most part applied later when of this quality. Being done after the blade is made and the fuller being pushed in the way it is..... a stamp makes sense......ponderous.

Gav