Johannes Hoppe Rapier and Dagger

Merenti · 16th March 2023, 05:56 PM

https://antiquearmor.com/item/1293sword/

Saxon Arms have always been popular and well forged. there is a dealer in the USA who buys good fakes in Europe and then sells them as originals. I would never buy anything from this dealer

fernando · 16th March 2023, 06:30 PM

I see !

SwordLover79 · 16th March 2023, 10:27 PM

I surely did not purchase this pair from Andrew Garcia! He is quite a character though - as you must know. Andrew just published a new book offering a "collector's course on medieval arms and armor," which features many pieces he has bought and sold over the years. A bit lightweight for you guys!

SwordLover79 · 16th March 2023, 10:46 PM

Merenti: My dagger is indeed similar to the reproduction you referenced. I like to believe that in this case, copying is the highest form of flattery. As you look at my dagger next to your forgery, I'm sure you can tell there are not so subtle differences in the form of the blades, gauge/shape of the quillons and the quality of the wire wrapping/turks heads. If mine is indeed a forgery, the smith did an amazing job matching the gauge of the steel and curvature of the quillons between the sword and the dagger.

urbanspaceman · 17th March 2023, 07:34 PM

I am willing to 'suffer the slings and arrows' here because I am not a collector but an appreciator.
Not only would I not hesitate (no double negative) to enthusiastically possess this pair, but I would enjoy them dearly hanging on my wall.
They are impressive indeed.
Of course, I am the type who attempts to restore stuff to showroom quality because I feel the man who made it would not be happy to see it distressed. Many of you may think I am beyond the pale.
That is a splendid blade from an exceptional smith... well logged into Solingen history.
I suspect it is quite a unique exhibit down in SD... how is the arms and armour world down there?

fernando · 17th March 2023, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbanspaceman

...I am willing to 'suffer the slings and arrows' here because I am not a collector but an appreciator...

Collecting alone doesn't give knowledge; could be just gathering. Interest does, so as curiosity

.

SwordLover79 · 17th March 2023, 11:20 PM

The arms collecting hobby is actually quite vibrant in the Southwestern US as best I can tell. Probably more so in Los Angeles than the San Diego area. The annual antique arms and armor show in Las Vegas this January was fairly robust, though not as well attended as shows prior to Covid. Each year some nice pieces come out of hiding...

urbanspaceman · 18th March 2023, 01:00 PM

Thank-you for your response.

17th March 2023, 07:34 PM	#5
urbanspaceman Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Tyneside. North-East England Posts: 517	Fabulous fakery I am willing to 'suffer the slings and arrows' here because I am not a collector but an appreciator. Not only would I not hesitate (no double negative) to enthusiastically possess this pair, but I would enjoy them dearly hanging on my wall. They are impressive indeed. Of course, I am the type who attempts to restore stuff to showroom quality because I feel the man who made it would not be happy to see it distressed. Many of you may think I am beyond the pale. That is a splendid blade from an exceptional smith... well logged into Solingen history. I suspect it is quite a unique exhibit down in SD... how is the arms and armour world down there?

18th March 2023, 01:00 PM	#8
urbanspaceman Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Tyneside. North-East England Posts: 517	SW area arms collecting Thank-you for your response.

16th March 2023, 05:56 PM	#1
Merenti Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Germany Posts: 62	https://antiquearmor.com/item/1293sword/ Saxon Arms have always been popular and well forged. there is a dealer in the USA who buys good fakes in Europe and then sells them as originals. I would never buy anything from this dealer

16th March 2023, 06:30 PM	#2
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,647	I see !

16th March 2023, 10:27 PM	#3
SwordLover79 Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: San Diego Posts: 56	I surely did not purchase this pair from Andrew Garcia! He is quite a character though - as you must know. Andrew just published a new book offering a "collector's course on medieval arms and armor," which features many pieces he has bought and sold over the years. A bit lightweight for you guys!

16th March 2023, 10:46 PM	#4
SwordLover79 Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: San Diego Posts: 56	Merenti: My dagger is indeed similar to the reproduction you referenced. I like to believe that in this case, copying is the highest form of flattery. As you look at my dagger next to your forgery, I'm sure you can tell there are not so subtle differences in the form of the blades, gauge/shape of the quillons and the quality of the wire wrapping/turks heads. If mine is indeed a forgery, the smith did an amazing job matching the gauge of the steel and curvature of the quillons between the sword and the dagger.

17th March 2023, 11:20 PM	#7
SwordLover79 Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: San Diego Posts: 56	The arms collecting hobby is actually quite vibrant in the Southwestern US as best I can tell. Probably more so in Los Angeles than the San Diego area. The annual antique arms and armor show in Las Vegas this January was fairly robust, though not as well attended as shows prior to Covid. Each year some nice pieces come out of hiding...