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4th December 2008, 04:46 PM | #1 |
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HEUREKA! Finally at least a small path to follow to the light of knowledge
@katana: The blade of your foil was most probably forged by a company named Cooper-Goodman. They produced the Chassepot bayonet (which was used between 1866-1874 by France but found many other countries copying it)... Check out this link (you can see the similar marking clearly): http://www.old-smithy.info/bayonets/1866_chassepot.htm This information might give a rough idea when the foil might be produced. If one takes into account that the firm might not be active for a long time, and might not have much experience with fencing weapons (referring to the strange POB), this could indicate that the foil may be quite rare.... So far for now. I hope someone can carry on the torch and finds more information on the firm itself. William |
4th December 2008, 09:35 PM | #2 | |
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Quote:
Well done and thank you William , hopefully with this new 'lead' I can get find more information. Nice epee (that you posted) certainly has a more business-like blade. Thank you to you and those whom commented on the foil I posted. Kind Regards David |
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4th December 2008, 09:56 PM | #3 |
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A pleasure
but could you please post a picture of the tip? I'm interested how it was shaped... William |
4th December 2008, 11:22 PM | #4 |
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Hi William,
it seems "Cooper and Goodman" made firearms..and seem to have been based in Birmingham..found this... "......Mr. Goodman’s connection with the gun trade was of long standing. In 1838, when in the employ of the Scholefields, he entered into partnership with Mr. J.R. Cooper, and subsequently with that gentleman’s brother, Mr. Charles Cooper, the business being carried on at first under the name of J.R. Cooper and Co., and afterwards under that of Cooper and Goodman, until 1888....." http://66.102.9.132/search?q=cache:Y...lnk&cd=1&gl=uk So on that basis the blade was presumably manufactured , at the latest 1888 Here on this page , Lot 869 http://66.102.9.132/search?q=cache:b...lnk&cd=2&gl=uk "An UNUSUAL .500 Cal. double barrelled Medium Game Rifle by Cooper and Goodman" and half way down on this page... http://66.102.9.132/search?q=cache:n...lnk&cd=1&gl=uk "A fine and rare 1856 Pattern rifled service pistol, 25.5cm sighted barrel fitted with rear leaf sights, border engraved lock stamped "1858" over "TOWER" and with a Crown over "VR" at the tail, full stock stamped "WD" and "COOPER & GOODMAN", After hours of searching ....I'm all googled out Perhaps it is rare ...hopefully one of the 'firearm boys' may have further information on Cooper and Goodman......please William will post a picture of the 'point' soon Kind regards David |
5th December 2008, 01:06 PM | #5 |
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Bad news...
I got in touch with a fellow blade collector who said, that the information on the "crown above c.g" needs to be updated... The crown is not in style of the era for the UK, additionally it is a fact that Cooper and Goodman always marked without a crown. He suspects the marking to have belgian origins. Sorry, to says so: but we have to start anew.... William |
5th December 2008, 02:43 PM | #6 |
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Hi William,
thanks for letting me know ....never mind, I am sure I will discover the maker at a later date. I have even considered whether the blade may be a re-worked swordstick Here are the pictures of the point.(both magnified) Best Regards David . |
5th December 2008, 04:16 PM | #7 |
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Thanks for the pictures,
you are right, the tip looks quite original... I may have another lead on the marking Compare the crown on the following marking with your foil. The blade belongs to a sword produced in 1875 by the Fabrica Nacional de Toledo in Spain. All the best William |
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