Reproductions of these two pieces. Then I'm done. ;) The sword need not have the extensive engraving of this one. See? I'm really easy to please!

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I like both those choices, but I'm going to tell you from experience that you won't be done even after acquiring them.

I absolutely love the wide multi-fullered blade on the second example!

That is what i keep telling my self before each purchase: that is it and then i am done............Let me give you a hint: it is never enough :eek: this is an addiction, the more you feed it the more you want.......and the more expensive stuff you want :D

It is a vicious circle......:D :lol: And somehow I do not want out of it :cool:

Alexi

If had nickel for ever time those words came out of my mouth....

That's why I'm in the process of selling off all my U-C LOTR collection.
One to help pay the bills & two to help fund a special ElJay project.

The tumor never stops growing :D


Bill

Sean, check out the sword as it might look simplified.

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LOL! You beat me to it! So, I'll just blue the hilt instead. Now we're getting a nice, practical field sword (that I might actually be able to afford). It's tough to tell if this weapon actually did have a blued hilt, but I notice that the description mentions gold damascene decoration, so I'm guessing it did have a dark blue/black finish. I like this finish, but I might want to go bright to fit the rest of my collection. Decisions...decisions....

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Unfortunately, I don't have full view of the weapon. However, it's discussed briefly under "Broadswords" here:

http://www.myArmoury.com/feature_engswords.html

Since the caption lists the museum collection, I'm sure this could be tracked down. However, the text indicates that the blade is much altered from its original form. The weapon is thought to be ca. 1600, so perhaps the blade is significantly earlier? German? Judging from the description, I'm guessing the blade tapers only a little.

Eljay seems to like this sword, too, and if I save the dough I'll certainly approach him first for the complete weapon.

If I save lots of dough and want a custom, tempered blade, then you'll be my first call, Gus. I've been very pleased with my other Eljay/Atrim combo! That would probably be my ideal for this weapon, too.

Maybe something like this, only four inches longer. And straight. And almost flat for the last 1/3. And professional. And attractive. :lol:

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Sean - how about this one? Looks like it sort of fits your theme?

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That is a very pretty piece, but I was thinking more along the lines of the one Alexi documented at the Higgins:

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=3199&start=0

A single page of the Imperial Austria book shows three such weapons, all with blackened hilts. That's a sight to see, brother! I wish I had the book close to hand so I could share the love.

I can see I'm going to have to go after some freelance work....

Unless I die and collect some insurance money, I'm not likely to be going the custom blade route, however much I'd like to do so. What do y'all think of this option? I can get this blade new for under $200. I sold one of these, used, for $100 last year, so might be able to find another used one for that price. Whoooaaa...I'm gettin' the fever now, folks!

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What about the Mad Piper's Del Tin blade?

[ Linked Image ]

Oof! Yeah, that's even better. I certainly prefer the DT cross-section. Do you happen to know what he's charging for those? I couldn't find a price on his site. It's probably a budget-buster, but who knows?

Hey, y'all have done a lot to refine my thinking on this piece and move me towards a purchase. I appreciate that!

The bare blade was less than $200

That's not bad at all. Hmmmm....I have much to ponder.

Sean,

If you're thinking on the DT blade, remember that you'll still need to get the hilt done by somebody. My point is that if you convince yourself to run in this ballpark price wise, I would highly suggest doing a little more talking with Gus before your mind is made up. He was very reasonable and good to me when it came to making a blade "outside the box". . . and that was before he had the shiny new software to make a quicker/easier job of it.

Don't sell the old Dawg short for a couple of coppers - I've always been happier saving a little longer and (especially on a custom or one-off piece) getting exactly what I want. It reminds me of a saying on a poster at the training facility I was at in Chicago a week ago, "Excellence is remembered long after price is forgotten." Do something right once or spend forever second-guessing it later (this hobby more than any other has taught me this nugget o' wisdom).

My $.02 (from a guy who understands too well what it's like barely having $.02 to rub together. . . :) )