Elephant Sword

Bill M · 23rd February 2008, 11:29 AM

Never seen anything like this and decided it might make an interesting display piece. I have friends who have bought from this seller and they were pleased with their purchases and felt the seller had good pieces. If they had not suggested this seller had integrity, I would not have bid.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEAFB:IT

However when it came I had three unpleasant surprises.

First The blade was broken off at the hilt.

Second the blade is about 1/16th of an inch thick, or less. I could understand how this could break as the hilt is massive and the blade is thin.

Third, Noticed in his ad that in one place he said it was "bone" and in another place "bone, tusk" So I emailed him before bidding asking if it was "bone or ivory." He replied it was Ivory. See his comment section where he posted my question and his response.

Q: Are you sure this is bone and not ivory? Bill Dec-22-07
A: it's ivory - elephant tusk.

The piece had been lost in transit for about a month. He claims "our postal system" broke it.

I told him that a sword, less than 1/16th of an inch would be broken by a man, let alone a beast as powerful as an elephant and that he had not mentioned that the blade was as thin as that in his eBay auction.

He insisted that it was old and authentic. However I never received an "invoice" stating date and value though he agreed to send one. He did PayPal refund me $250. But even the remainder of what I paid is still too much for a broken piece that I suspect is "tourist" and if so, not worth repairing.

I would like your opinions as to whether this was an "Elephant Sword," or a tourist wall hanger?

It is too late to reverse PayPal, but I still have about another month of time to leave feedback.

Tim Simmons · 23rd February 2008, 11:46 AM

Oh dear Bill

Options for the seller-

Hanged drawn and quartered press 1

Broken on a wheel press 2

Simple head on a stick press 3

Impalement press 4

Ferguson · 23rd February 2008, 12:57 PM

Agree that it's a fake wallhanger. The blade also looks like it has been welde just above the tang. The blade is way too thin, and the tang is way too small. Hilt is bone. That stinks. Sorry Bill. Chalk this one up to experience, and ding the seller with bad feedback if he won't refund your money.

Steve

Lew · 23rd February 2008, 02:21 PM

Bill

The hilt is bone without a doubt the blade at the hilt seems so thin I do not understand how it supported that massive blade. The break seems too far down to have been welded back in place. Was the box it came in damaged? It is definately a wall hanger

live and learn. I myself fell into the old trap recently of not asking shipping cost from a UK seller and was hit with a $70 plus shipping fee for a 32 inch long 2lb item.

Lew

Bill M · 23rd February 2008, 02:31 PM

What I would like is for the seller to admit this is a wall hanger, refund the rest of my money and let me return this thing.

I also feel that in this case, since it is an obvious wall hanger and was misrepresented, or at least silent to the blade thickness, that the seller should also refund shipping both ways.

This seller has had a good reputation in the past. I don't understand how this happened.

Montino Bourbon · 23rd February 2008, 02:59 PM

The dealer does say...

"A SPECTACULAR WALLHANGER"

and in the earlier description...

"Material: Steel, bone & brass"

Later, he mentions "Elephant tusk"...

so which is it? It definitely looks like bone to me- and if an elephant tried to swing that thing around, with the thinness of the tang there's no doubt that it would break. Perhaps a ceremonial piece?

Pretty cool looking, though... but if you're looking for functionality and 'elephant tusk' I would definitely ask for my money back.

katana · 23rd February 2008, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Marsh

I also feel that in this case, since it is an obvious wall hanger and was misrepresented, or at least silent to the blade thickness, that the seller should also refund shipping both ways.

Hi Bill,
surely this was misrepresented in more ways......stating that bone was ivory ...is the main one IMHO ....any piece that has a substantial hilt composing of Elephant Ivory would almost certainly be a 'quality item'....
Secondly, anyone who sells, handles or buys bladed weapons would DEFINATELY know such a puny blade would not be functional. (and I quote....."A fearsome blade" )Certainly the blade at the forte should be relatively thick to strenghen the area of the blade that undergoes extreme stresses when striking the target ....this 'sword' did not.

.
I have seen a number of eBay sellers who originally sold quality items ....now selling 'dross' ...misrepresenting many of their items.....getting over inflated prices for them....and getting away with it. I think the increasing interest in Ethnographic items, and some buyers lack of knowledge has made this situation worse.

Even if you place negative feedback....it is likely 'he' will do the same for you with some 'made up' excuse. A sort of 'feedback blackmail'.

Ebay is not the great marketplace it used to be......its a real shame.

All the best

David

23rd February 2008, 11:29 AM	#1
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Elephant Sword Never seen anything like this and decided it might make an interesting display piece. I have friends who have bought from this seller and they were pleased with their purchases and felt the seller had good pieces. If they had not suggested this seller had integrity, I would not have bid. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEAFB:IT However when it came I had three unpleasant surprises. First The blade was broken off at the hilt. Second the blade is about 1/16th of an inch thick, or less. I could understand how this could break as the hilt is massive and the blade is thin. Third, Noticed in his ad that in one place he said it was "bone" and in another place "bone, tusk" So I emailed him before bidding asking if it was "bone or ivory." He replied it was Ivory. See his comment section where he posted my question and his response. Q: Are you sure this is bone and not ivory? Bill Dec-22-07 A: it's ivory - elephant tusk. The piece had been lost in transit for about a month. He claims "our postal system" broke it. I told him that a sword, less than 1/16th of an inch would be broken by a man, let alone a beast as powerful as an elephant and that he had not mentioned that the blade was as thin as that in his eBay auction. He insisted that it was old and authentic. However I never received an "invoice" stating date and value though he agreed to send one. He did PayPal refund me $250. But even the remainder of what I paid is still too much for a broken piece that I suspect is "tourist" and if so, not worth repairing. I would like your opinions as to whether this was an "Elephant Sword," or a tourist wall hanger? It is too late to reverse PayPal, but I still have about another month of time to leave feedback. Attached Images Last edited by Mark; 23rd February 2008 at 06:38 PM.

23rd February 2008, 12:57 PM	#3
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Agree that it's a fake wallhanger. The blade also looks like it has been welde just above the tang. The blade is way too thin, and the tang is way too small. Hilt is bone. That stinks. Sorry Bill. Chalk this one up to experience, and ding the seller with bad feedback if he won't refund your money. Steve Attached Images

23rd February 2008, 11:46 AM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Oh dear Bill Options for the seller- Hanged drawn and quartered press 1 Broken on a wheel press 2 Simple head on a stick press 3 Impalement press 4

23rd February 2008, 02:21 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Bill The hilt is bone without a doubt the blade at the hilt seems so thin I do not understand how it supported that massive blade. The break seems too far down to have been welded back in place. Was the box it came in damaged? It is definately a wall hanger live and learn. I myself fell into the old trap recently of not asking shipping cost from a UK seller and was hit with a $70 plus shipping fee for a 32 inch long 2lb item. Lew

23rd February 2008, 02:31 PM	#5
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	What I would like is for the seller to admit this is a wall hanger, refund the rest of my money and let me return this thing. I also feel that in this case, since it is an obvious wall hanger and was misrepresented, or at least silent to the blade thickness, that the seller should also refund shipping both ways. This seller has had a good reputation in the past. I don't understand how this happened.

23rd February 2008, 02:59 PM	#6
Montino Bourbon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 295	The dealer does say... "A SPECTACULAR WALLHANGER" and in the earlier description... "Material: Steel, bone & brass" Later, he mentions "Elephant tusk"... so which is it? It definitely looks like bone to me- and if an elephant tried to swing that thing around, with the thinness of the tang there's no doubt that it would break. Perhaps a ceremonial piece? Pretty cool looking, though... but if you're looking for functionality and 'elephant tusk' I would definitely ask for my money back.