One of the joys of collecting anything is evolving one's collection over time. Adding new items, replacing old ones, always moving the collection forward. I've recently turned over several items from my collection, adding better quality pieces in their place. Things have finally slowed down enough for me to take some photos and share them with the gang on myArmoury.

The photos show a new dirk and whinger both by Glen McClain, a dirk by Mike McRae of Scotia Metalwork, a cut steel jack knife by Kyle Willyard of Old Dominion Forge, and a small sword that I put together from two other swords. Also shown below is my ElJay hanger which is not new, but I replaced the blade on it with one that was a bit more like the original in its length and shape.

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I replaced the wire wrapping on the grip with two silver ropes twisted in opposite directions, and a third plain, untwisted wire. [ Download ]

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The smallsword hilt is from a Bi-Centenial commemorative sword made of British halmarked silver. The blade I remounted it on is one from G Gedney Godwin. [ Download ]

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Eljay hanger remounted on a hanger blade made for Colonial Williamsburg. [ Download ]

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McRae dirk with my ElJay basket hilt. [ Download ]

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Pommel work on the dirks and whinger. McClain dirk is engraved with a floral motif. The McRae dirk has piercings backed with the same red wool I made my basket hilt liner from. [ Download ]

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Chris,
You have an outstanding collection of 18th century edged weapons. The small sword is very creative and handsome. My favorites are the basket-hilted hanger and the dagger with the bone (?) grip. The swords and blades from Neumann have been resurrected! Thanks for sharing.

Jonathan

Chris,

I remember you saying that you were making some changes with you collection when we spoke last.

Looks very nice my friend and thanks for sharing the photos.

Cheers,

Bill

Gorgeous stuff, Chris! I love what you did with combining the smallsword parts.

Thanks for the kind words, fellas. One of the things I enjoy the most about being part of this forum is the sharing of photos from each others collections.

Jonathan -- the gip on the McClain whinger is actually ivory. The sad thing is the ivory has a crack running through it, but from the mineral staining in the crack, it appears to have been there for quite some time. I suspect it may have been in the ivory before it was mounted on this knife.

Bill Goodwin -- I hope things will settle down for both of us soon so we can catch up with one another. The fun of having a collection is sharing it with friends who also take pleasure in this hobby.

Bill Grandy -- Yes, the smallsword came together better (and easier) than I had thought it would. Finding the proper gauge wire to redo the grip was the hardest part of the entire project. I've owned several reproduction smallswords, but the hilts never were satisfying to me. This one has the look and feel of an original. And being silver, it is made of the correct material, which also adds a great deal to the authenticity of the piece. Now you need to get down here to Roanoke again and teach me how to use it! :D

You've done wonderful work with these, Chris!

Hi Chris,

I really like the way your McRae dirk looks with your ElJay basket hilt. Take care of them both and they'll take care of you. :)

-Todd

HI Chris,

I'm glad you bought that McClain from me - I can see that it is in great hands!

Great carving on the McRea piece!

Chris,
You have some nice-looking stuff there. Congrats! I really like the two Eljay pieces.