Modern replica collecting can have investment potential.
Get a load of this

http://www.gregmartinauctions.com:8050/FMPro?...&-Find
Wow, an antique MRL! Who knew they were around that long! ;)

Have you contacted the seller, Craig?
..............................never mind :eek:
Wait, 19th Century...?

Whoah, there's a maker's mark! Let's see...

:eek:

*chokes, dies*
Drat the link is busted what did I miss?
Mornin Russ
Russ Ellis wrote:
Drat the link is busted what did I miss?


Link works for me try here and look for Lot 1313 ( prophetic?)

It is one of the best hobbies around, reading auction descriptions they are excellent humor.

Try thishttp://www.gregmartinauctions.com

Craig
Russ Ellis wrote:
Drat the link is busted what did I miss?


Lot 1313 Detail
Italian Cinquedea with Steel-Mounted, Skin-Covered Scabbard

Italian Cinquedea with Steel-Mounted, Skin-Covered Scabbard Overall length 22-inches, with multi-fluted blade measuring 3 5/8-inch in width at crossguard; steel hilt with horn grip panels. Scabbard of skin-covered wood, with steel tip and throat. 19th century. Very good; gray, with pitting; primarily on mounts to scabbard.

Condition: Very good; gray, with pitting; primarily on mounts to scabbard.

Estimate: $800 - $1200



And then there are some close-up photos showing an unmistakably modern (and quite crappy) Sword-Like Object... with the stamp "MRL" clearly visible on the guard.
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Suddenly, my Del Tins became ten times more valuable.
Imagine a thoroughly antiqued Raven, Albion, VE, PJ or other high-end blade hitting the phony antiquities market minus its maker's mark. As reproductions get better somebody is going to be willing to invest $1,000 to make a fraudulent $5,000+. I mean, if people can be taken in by this piece, the sky's the limit.
Sean Flynt wrote:
Imagine a thoroughly antiqued Raven, Albion, VE, PJ or other high-end blade hitting the phony antiquities market minus its maker's mark. As reproductions get better somebody is going to be willing to invest $1,000 to make a fraudulent $5,000+. I mean, if people can be taken in by this piece, the sky's the limit.


I'm afraid that this happens on EBay every day...but not anything of the quality you mentioned!
It doesn't even look antiqued. More like someone just left it out in the rain. Hey, I'd leave my lower end pieces out in the rain for a 1000% markup!

But, to spare that poor auctioneer a lawsuit down the line, shouldn't someone tell him what he really has?
Steve Maly wrote:
Sean Flynt wrote:
Imagine a thoroughly antiqued Raven, Albion, VE, PJ or other high-end blade hitting the phony antiquities market minus its maker's mark. As reproductions get better somebody is going to be willing to invest $1,000 to make a fraudulent $5,000+. I mean, if people can be taken in by this piece, the sky's the limit.


I'm afraid that this happens on EBay every day...but not anything of the quality you mentioned!


Exactly why I avoid EBay like the plague, just from principle if nothing else.
Sam Barris wrote:
It doesn't even look antiqued. More like someone just left it out in the rain. Hey, I'd leave my lower end pieces out in the rain for a 1000% markup!

But, to spare that poor auctioneer a lawsuit down the line, shouldn't someone tell him what he really has?


Hello Sam

Check out the description again

Quote:
Lot 1313 Detail
Italian Cinquedea with Steel-Mounted, Skin-Covered Scabbard

Italian Cinquedea with Steel-Mounted, Skin-Covered Scabbard Overall length 22-inches, with multi-fluted blade measuring 3 5/8-inch in width at crossguard; steel hilt with horn grip panels. Scabbard of skin-covered wood, with steel tip and throat. 19th century. Very good; gray, with pitting; primarily on mounts to scabbard.

Condition: Very good; gray, with pitting; primarily on mounts to scabbard.
Estimate: $800 - $1200


The description is spot on except for the date. The auction house knows what they have. They are describing it in terms that appeal to the buyer. Much as there is a code for reading house descriptions, auctions and antique dealers use similar phrase structures to describe things in terms that can be used loosely and with flourish. If down the line someone complains on the piece they have purchased they will, often after you have presented them with proof that the item you have was not as described, they will refund your money. No lawsuits needed. If they could be sued over any discrepancy they may foster there would be no auction houses or probably antique dealers.

The goal of the auction house is to get people excited enough over a competitive purchase to spend more than they would normally for something they like.

Best Craig
And it's certainly no accident that the MRL stamp is featured so prominently. That alone probably relieves the house of any legal responsibility. I can't imagine why they'd throw in the "19th century" comment, but I'm sure they know how to skate right up to the line without crossing it.
That is definitly not the sword that was reviewed here, does/did MRL have two Cinquedea pieces?
Joel Chesser wrote:
That is definitly not the sword that was reviewed here, does/did MRL have two Cinquedea pieces?


They've had at least 5 over the years...
Speaking of modern repros being aged and sold as antiques, around 6-7 years ago I made some hilts for a dealer that sold both antiques and repros. I signed and dated them, and bulit in several period-incorrect details on a couple of them so they'd be recognizable as modern, in case a forger got hold of them. About 4 years ago I found 2 of them on another dealer's website, with my name and date erased, age added, and old blades fitted. I was too late to warn the dealer off, as both had already sold. This year, 3 more of my hilts turned up, with age and blades added, and being offered as antiques. This time I was able to sound the alarm before they passed to other owners.

--ElJay
Doh! I omitted E.B. Erickson from my list of potential forgery fodder. Sorry about that, ElJay! Your outstanding work clearly is among the most dangerous.Maybe you should start nickel plating everything :eek:
:eek: :eek: :eek: :D
I think i must get me some papers for my Albion's squire line Viking and scabbard. :lol:

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