Does anyone know if anyone makes replicas of European Bronze Age "leaf shaped"swords ? Out of bronze ( not brass) , naturally ? I've always liked the look of these weapons and I'm curious to see how well they performed. The following pic is something along the style I was refering to.

---

 Attachment: 8.93 KB

The first to spring to mind is Neil Burridge... He even seems to have a replica of a very similar sword to that which you were showing on his page:

http://www.bronze-age-craft.com/swords_for_sale.htm

And Jeroen Zuiderwijk is also very good with bronze:

http://1501bc.com/metalworking/

I'm sure either one of these guys could help you out.

Here is a more direct link to Burridge's website - http://www.bronze-age-swords.com/ -

Yup, Neil is Da Man for bronze swords! Incredible work. Another source (also in the UK) is Dave Chapman at Bronze Age Foundry, http://www.bronzeagefoundry.com/ . I understand that his stuff is good, too, though I don't know how it compares in detail to Neil's.

Stay away from the Indian-made stuff. We call them "boat anchors"!

A couple other links that might be useful:

http://s8.invisionfree.com/Bronze_Age_Center/index.php

http://www.larp.com/hoplite/bronze.html (My own humble site)

Yea, bronze swords!!

Matthew

I've never found anyone who comes close to Neil's artisanship or authenticity. If it's Bronze Age, he's your man.

Thanks, Guys.
Looks like I have lots of choices - now, I just need to win Lotto :D

Why not make your own patterns from wood and have cast in your local art foundries?
You get exactly what you want and you exercise the control over the castings. And they can be much less expensive.


You have a great number near Chicago.


ILLINOIS
Alnor Instrument Co.
7555 Linder Ave., Skokie, IL 60077-3223
847-627-3500

Art Brass Foundry Inc
1523 W Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60622-6337
312-666-6221

Art Casting of Illinois
Po Box 394, Oregon, IL 61061-0394
Contact: Karly Spell
815-732-7777, 815-732-7777
Services: Fabrication, Mold Making, Patination, Restoration, and pedestals also avialable
Processes: Ceramic Shell
Metals: Bronze

Cast Away
37 Van Buren, Oswego, Il 60543
Century Brass Works Inc
1100 N Illinois St., Swansea, IL 62226-4378
618-233-0182

Chicago Art Foundry
319 N Albany Ave., Chicago, IL 60612-1717
312-722-4488

Great Lakes Art Foundry
2031 W Fulton
Chicago, IL 60612., Contact: Richard or Donna Byrne
312-226-6166, Fax: same
Services: Mold Making through Patination
Processes: Ceramic Shell
Metals: Bronze, Aluminum

T. L. Artz Foundry Co
4020 W Schubert Ave., Chicago, IL 60639-2122
312-235-2278

Wagner Brass Foundry Inc
1844 N Elston Ave., Chicago, IL 60622-1216
312-276-7907

Wagner Castings Co
825 N Lowber St., Decatur, IL 62521-1454
217-428-7791

Wagner Havana
227 Wagner Ave., Havana, IL 62644-1723
309-543-4475

Goodness, that's an impressive list of foundries! Had no idea. Thanks! (Even though I'm in Maryland and am not planning more swords at the moment!)

One problem with having a place like that do the casting is that you have to make a VERY good wooden mockup. That means not just extensive research into thicknesses, taper, edge geometry, etc., but you have to be a pretty accomplished artist with wood. With Neil, just tell him what kind of sword you want, and wait for the package to arrive! (Well, it helps to give him as much info as possible if it's a style he's never done before!) It's guaranteed to be a good weight and a good alloy. You also have the option of getting a rough cast to finish yourself, or getting a polished, hilted sword. Hmm, though I suspect at least some foundries could do finishing work, too.

That list does start some cogitations in the brain, though! Hmmmmmmm.....

Matthew

Matthew, here are some for you to cause more cogitations in the brain!

MARYLAND

Adindra Inc.
1609 S. Springwood Dr., Silver Spring, MD 20910
Foundry Service & Supply Co. Inc.
7 Greenwood Pl., Pikesville, MD 21208-2763
410-486-6238

Gianetti's Studio
3806 38th St., Brentwood, MD 20772
301-927-0033

New Arts Foundry
PO Box 4795, 1401 Clipper Heights Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21211
410-243-2200, 410-243-1465
Contact: Gary Siegel

Quote:

One problem with having a place like that do the casting is that you have to make a VERY good wooden mockup. That means not just extensive research into thicknesses, taper, edge geometry, etc., but you have to be a pretty accomplished artist with wood.

Yes research is always a necesity. What better method to learn about your passion. For the wood of the pattern soft pine wood can be used, fillers can be added to build up bad mistakes in the craftmans ship. Polplars wood is also acceptable.
The finished pattern will be sealed with a wood sealer.
No to haveing to be accomplished artist, but it can help. All that is required here is patience and not to hurry with the work.
I have near 40 years experience in foundry and have taught many that are no artists but they can make perfect patterns.
It is better that they are not artist, artist take liberties with the dimensions and the parts do not fit and the time she is wasted. Beter to train some man from the ground up and make a good technician.

There is a greater pride in showing something made by your hand than stating "Oh...I bought it".
To make it by your own hand is to completly understand the artefact, to purchase it is to place on a shelf and say "what a beautiful object" and forget about it. The reason behind the artefact does not stick in your mind. This is my own experiance.

If I have time I will show you a photograph of a bronze sword I cast last year. I need time to finish it. Time I do not seem to find **sigh**.

No matter where you get it or make it I hope it is enjoyed!

Tschüß!

I had thought of going the "Make your own Mould" way, but ran into a few problems. Here, down in Australia, there seems to be a death of genuine Bronze Age swords for reference work. It's easy enough to find plenty of pics, but that doesn't give the full story- blade thickness, weight, etc. I figured that someone in Europe who had more 'hands-on"access to genuine swords would be better placed to produce a good replica.

As I promised this is my latest bronze casting. A nice bronze sword.
It is 43.5 cm from point to pommel tip. I am going to inlay ebony and ivory into the grip section.
There will be no hurry to complete this, why make a mistake?
The black spots on the blade is not porosity. My castings have no porosity. Those marks are from ammonium sulphide spill. Ammonium sulphide (NH4)2S is use for patina. A hard black patina on bronze.