I just finished a project that some of you might find interesting. I picked up a moderately hammered and totally loosened up Del Tin 5155 about a month ago, and spent a couple of weeks tightening it up via my usual method-saddle cord pulled between the wire wrap, and PVA filled grip via pipette into strategically drilled and filled entry and exit holes and the gap between the cross and the blade. After shortening the arms of the cross, I wanted to clean up the chewed up tip and edges of the blade, one thing led to another, and I ended up making a really neat Federschwert. Has anyone else done something like this?

This is probably better in off-topic but I love to tinker and putter about in the workshop too so would love to see photos of what you did. tr

I'll clean it up and take some pictures-

Here it is-specs are 44 oz., 2 3/4" POB, 22" COP, 35" blade (from 37"), 45 1/4" OAL.

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Now that looks just downright nice. Would make a really great tournament sword.

Thanks, Shawn. I'm sure there are those out there who would have me drawn and quartered for altering a Del Tin, but it really was in tired shape, so I didn't exactly do it any harm. I wanted a blunt, but couldn't find anything to my tastes, so when I was dressing the blade I just decided to go for it. You'll probably notice that the blade is wider than some of the manufacturers versions, but it was narrow to begin with, and I still wanted it to look somewhat like a sword and not an all-out practice tool. One subtle element of the profile happened by accident-a slight bulge on both edges just ahead of the ricasso that was caused by a goof on my part when laying out the tape-and that's the detail I like best. This was an interesting project, and the grind/test/grind phase of finding the right weight and balance made me feel a connection with the smiths who made the originals.

Project update-I sent a picture of my reworked 5155 to Fulvio Del Tin, and his reply was as follows:

Dear Bill,
Thank you for your message
I am pleased you could find that sword. It has a modified blade and guard but it is still a nice sword.
On request I can make it in this way
for your information, I send you a price list here enclosed
kind regards
Fulvio

Interesting!