Hello all

Since it is now finished, and while waiting (and it could take some time) for better photographs, I can't help but presenting here this recently finished piece :

An Etched Horseman's Hammer.

The head is old iron (at least 200 years old, maybe more...) with a steel insert at the beak, that was hardened and self-tempered ; the grip is brass and steel wire over a wooden core.

The haft was filed first to a quadrifoil section, then twisted, and filed some more.

It was decorated by etching, first carefully painting resist with a fine brush, and scratching it off where needed, before being plunged into an acid bath - some parts were etched separately, however the head had to be etched after final assembly, which was...interesting...

Two main inspirations behind this one, both kept in the same case as the flail I posted some days ago, at the Viennese Armouries - overall head shape, twisted haft coming from one, and decoration (and top rivet head) coming from the other (sorry, I don't have the call numbers at hand).

It is 54 cm long, and the head is 13,4 cm, for a total weight of 936 g.

And it is available for sale.

I hope you'll like it.

Cheers

Fab


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I saw this piece at the weekend and it is magnificent - for any out there who feel they may need a hammer; make this one your hammer. It is special.


Tod

Hi Fabrice,

Was etching used on the originals which inspired this reproduction?

I am fairly ignorant of etching being used on historical pieces pre 1700's or so.

Lovely hammer BTW.

I've seen and held this hammer at Pontoise too. It is remarkable craftsmanship indeed.
To say that these pictures are understating the piece would be an understatement in itself...Please get some decent shots of your work Fabrice! That's the easy part :)

Cheers,

J

Hi Jeremy


Etching was used on the original (one of them). Etching existed then, actually. I don't have my books at hand, so I can't give you the exact details. But thanks :) (and thanks Todd and Julien)

Julien : will do, will do....some day :/

As promised : better pics.



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That is just gorgeous! It's nice to see etching like this on a repro. It's a common feature on originals but not so common in repros. Great work!!!

that is a wonderfull piece, are you going to bring something to the forge in? I would love to see your work up close.

Hi Owen


Thanks :)

I don't think they'd let me in the Eurostar with this one - nor with anything else, unfortunately.....

But we'll see. Maybe I can fidn a way to have things smuggled to the UK

See you soon.

Fab

Outstanding work, mate. :) That is a beautiful hammer.