Unusual sword

Congoblades · 16th August 2006, 02:38 PM

Hi,
I found this unusual sword in an old collection weapons from Congo, it doesn't look african to me, ...I have no idee. It have some figures on both sides of the blade, one figure looks greek to me

Total lenght: 95 cm

Sombody any idee of the origin and age?

Rick · 16th August 2006, 03:16 PM

Looks like European markings.
Could be an old flamboyant rapier blade .

wolviex · 16th August 2006, 04:11 PM

Very nice and unusual find!
Etchings on the blade are from the 2nd half of the 18th century. Etched lady is Diane - in Roman mitology godness of forest and animals, always depicted as hunting lady. I can't recognize the second person on the other side of the blade under the sun - the picture is fainted.
The blade is European for sure, probably even earlier. Open-work - those holes on the blade, reminds me some of the 17th or even 16th century blades, but I think the first conjecture will be closer to the truth.
I believe the others will tell you more about it.

Regards

fernando · 16th August 2006, 04:14 PM

once converted into a concealed weapon, like a sword cane or stick, now missing the blade cover part ?

Rick · 16th August 2006, 04:49 PM

I see drums and flags at the ricasso .
How about doing a rubbing of the marks ?
I think you're correct with an earlier age Michael; if this is indeed a rapier blade the length would be in keeping with that which was popular in the mid to late 16th, early 17th century . The thing that puzzles me is the half waved half straight form .

katana · 16th August 2006, 05:23 PM

Usually with straight blades,the opponent's blade would tend to 'slide' down it... when parrying a strike (or when your strike is parried) Seeing that there is no guard to prevent the hand being struck, perhaps the 'waves' tended to prevent this. Especially if this blade is from a sword stick...... which generally do not have any form of guard.

Congoblades · 16th August 2006, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

I see drums and flags at the ricasso .
How about doing a rubbing of the marks ?

I did that, it didn'nt work very well, those marks are superficial, perhaps I must try again.

Congoblades · 16th August 2006, 08:37 PM

Some different light used to make the picture.

Thanks all for the respons, intresting so far

Tim Simmons · 16th August 2006, 06:34 PM

This is a 16th century hunting Estoc from the Wallace collection. I think we may well be looking at the genuine article. The goddess of the hunt would seem quite appropriate. Rather a special blade to have. If it were mine I would take the handle off. I would then display it proudly. Although I think it is a wonderful thing, I am not sure wether it would set an auction alight.

wolviex · 16th August 2006, 06:47 PM

Hi Tim!
It is a clue, no doubt. Thought blade discussed here is of different construction of course - that one from Wallace is wider at the point and with hole to attach some horizontal bar, to prevent deeper penetrating of the blade. This one is without such feature, and holes we can see are purely for decorating purposes.

Tim Simmons · 16th August 2006, 06:54 PM

Yes a clue. Some how it does not look like a fighting weapon. I would not like to fight an opponent with this blade if they had a straight blade. There are many versions of hunting blades as your life is not so dependant on them.

What is that picture from?

16th August 2006, 02:38 PM	#1
Congoblades Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Belgium Posts: 171	Unusual sword Hi, I found this unusual sword in an old collection weapons from Congo, it doesn't look african to me, ...I have no idee. It have some figures on both sides of the blade, one figure looks greek to me Total lenght: 95 cm Sombody any idee of the origin and age? Attached Images

16th August 2006, 04:49 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,263	I see drums and flags at the ricasso . How about doing a rubbing of the marks ? I think you're correct with an earlier age Michael; if this is indeed a rapier blade the length would be in keeping with that which was popular in the mid to late 16th, early 17th century . The thing that puzzles me is the half waved half straight form . Last edited by Rick; 16th August 2006 at 05:03 PM.

16th August 2006, 08:37 PM	#8
Congoblades Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Belgium Posts: 171	Some different light used to make the picture. Thanks all for the respons, intresting so far Attached Images

16th August 2006, 06:34 PM	#9
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	This is a 16th century hunting Estoc from the Wallace collection. I think we may well be looking at the genuine article. The goddess of the hunt would seem quite appropriate. Rather a special blade to have. If it were mine I would take the handle off. I would then display it proudly. Although I think it is a wonderful thing, I am not sure wether it would set an auction alight. Attached Images

16th August 2006, 06:47 PM	#10
wolviex Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Poland, Krakow Posts: 418	Hi Tim! It is a clue, no doubt. Thought blade discussed here is of different construction of course - that one from Wallace is wider at the point and with hole to attach some horizontal bar, to prevent deeper penetrating of the blade. This one is without such feature, and holes we can see are purely for decorating purposes. Attached Images

16th August 2006, 03:16 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,263	Looks like European markings. Could be an old flamboyant rapier blade .

16th August 2006, 04:11 PM	#3
wolviex Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Poland, Krakow Posts: 418	Very nice and unusual find! Etchings on the blade are from the 2nd half of the 18th century. Etched lady is Diane - in Roman mitology godness of forest and animals, always depicted as hunting lady. I can't recognize the second person on the other side of the blade under the sun - the picture is fainted. The blade is European for sure, probably even earlier. Open-work - those holes on the blade, reminds me some of the 17th or even 16th century blades, but I think the first conjecture will be closer to the truth. I believe the others will tell you more about it. Regards

16th August 2006, 04:14 PM	#4
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	once converted into a concealed weapon, like a sword cane or stick, now missing the blade cover part ?

16th August 2006, 05:23 PM	#6
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Usually with straight blades,the opponent's blade would tend to 'slide' down it... when parrying a strike (or when your strike is parried) Seeing that there is no guard to prevent the hand being struck, perhaps the 'waves' tended to prevent this. Especially if this blade is from a sword stick...... which generally do not have any form of guard.

16th August 2006, 06:54 PM	#11
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Yes a clue. Some how it does not look like a fighting weapon. I would not like to fight an opponent with this blade if they had a straight blade. There are many versions of hunting blades as your life is not so dependant on them. What is that picture from?