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5th February 2024, 08:46 PM | #1 |
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Hi Fernando,
I very much appreciate your reply. It is absolutely not hursh but the truth. I am aware that this is a very dangerous field. In this case I know the sword and the seller since years as well as the background story of the sword. Otherwise I wouldn´t even contemplate such an acquisition. But the latter I cannot proof, although it is a pretty convincing story. The seller is a fine person and kindly is okay that I double check the sword. So I need to do by best to verify. Fernando, the example you showed is an amazing example of how well made faked swords can be. Do you have better images of the structure of its surface? Is there any scientific way to get such a piece checked? E.g. material analysis or so? Thanks and kind regards Andreas |
6th February 2024, 09:00 AM | #2 |
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6th February 2024, 03:00 PM | #3 | |
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Location: Upstate New York, USA
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Not inconsistent with an authentic antique
Indeed it does and the terrain is much more treacherous now than when I started collecting such things 40 years ago this month. I believe it has been more than a decade now since I have indulged.
Quote:
Destructively, a small sample may be taken for metallographic examination. With a sword like Ahorsa's with a loose crossguard, a small sample from the blade shoulder may be taken without spoiling the appearance. Once I bought a sword from photographs, upon arrival it was clearly wrong. To satisfy the return requirement I had to get a museum to denounce it. Very fortunately I had a contact able to arrange for an archeometallurgist to take and examine such a specimen. It was clearly "post-Bessemer" or modern steel and the dealer graciously accepted the return. Once again, however, there are bladesmiths exploring making bloomery iron in the old ways and so, once again, "not inconsistent with an authentic antique" is about the best you can hope for. Fortunately, most forgers will not go to the trouble to avoid modern technology. The aspiring medieval sword collector needs to see and handle as many known, reliably provenanced examples as possible and a few known forgeries as well to 'train' their eyes and brain. The overall form and decoration must be carefully considered as well as the patina. I am cautiously optimistic towards Ahorsa's recent acquisition, and that is about the best I can do from images. |
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6th February 2024, 05:59 PM | #4 |
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Hi Andreas,
as a type this would be an Okeshott type Xa from around 1050-1100. after 900 years the oxidation of the sword looks very even over the entire surface. It is possible after 900 years but is almost unheard of, or at least so rare that it could be an omen. After 2000, tens of thousands of most medieval sword forgeries were made, so it helps if the sword can be proven before 2000. So not through a story alone. In any case I would try to find the previous owner or finder. A medieval sword doesn't pop out of nowhere. The black patina in water finds is goethite, which is glass hard and difficult to remove, even mechanically. You could have the patina tested for hardness and chemically with, for example, acetone or other chemical solvent. If it gives off black, it is a recently applied patina. The style is good but the tang is a bit slim under the pommel for this type with a heavy blade. water finds from this period are included in the appendix. I hope it will help you, good luck |
7th February 2024, 12:49 PM | #5 |
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That looks familiar... Is that the current exhibit in the Leiden Oudheden museum?
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7th February 2024, 12:56 PM | #6 |
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7th February 2024, 01:06 PM | #7 |
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7th February 2024, 01:20 PM | #8 |
Lead Moderator European Armoury
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I thought those belonged in Jasper's collection !
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7th February 2024, 06:01 PM | #9 |
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If only I were close enough to visit... I recognize several of the pieces, but not the large brazil-nut pommel in the foreground. It appears to have an inscription, and the label suggests it is a name? Grateful for any more details on this one (and apologies for being off-topic).
Mark |
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