[Scott H.]

Hello to all!
I was wondering if someone could identify the swords in my "collection".

First is a longsword that I bought at an antique store. It has a logo featuring a hand coming out of water holding a sword.
On the opposite side it says "Made in Spain". The hilt is brass with a brass wire wrapped grip. The overall length is 44". The blade length is 36". And the blade width is 1". I know it's not worth much but would still like to get any info you might share:

Next, are a couple of 'eastern' style swords passed down from my grandfather. They're decorative pieces. Definately NOT for cutting! But I have a couple of questions... What would this type of sword be called? (I haven't been able to find anything like it on the web). Also, it seems there's some sort of inlaid brass or gold on the back of the blades... What's that all about?

I don't know if I'm going over my allotted upload limit, so I'll wait to ask about the other stuff

Thanks for your help!

[Scott H.]

oooops

here is the inlay pic...

Thanks again,
Scott

[David Wilson]

The "Eastern" type swords are Dhas. The Dha is a South East Asian sword common in Burma and Thailand.

The Spanish one I don't recognize, it doesn't seem to be one of the usual patterns that most of the Spanish wallhanger makers churn out....

edit: There seems to be a marking on the ricasso of the Spanish sword. Can you provide a pic of it?

[Scott H.]

Thanks David!!

Here is a rather poor picture of the logo...


Any idea what these might be worth?

have a great day,
Scott

[Jonathon Janusz]

Hello. i believe the longsword is a modern reproduction from Toledo, as i vaguely remember matching this maker to mark about six years ago. i used to own two blades with the same mark (one of them a single-hand longsword the other a very plain and very long bladed basket hilt broadsword). i would advise you that the two weapons i had were blessed with rat tail tangs, poorly fitted hilts, and very thin threaded pommels; the basket hilt in particular could never keep its grip together tightly. also, my old longsword (an older model from the maker i believe as it was considerably lighter, better balanced, and didn't feel completely like an anchor) when left to its own devices patinated quite handsomely and the rough cross and pommel actually took the look of blackened, pitted iron which made the sword a very nice looking wall decoration.

in any case, enjoy!

[edited for spelling]

[David Wilson]

[Scott H.]

Thanks guys!

And now for some more ids if it's not too much trouble

Next are a pair of Abercrombie & Fitch (it says so on the blade) epees made in France. I don't know exactly how old these are.

After those is a dagger I bought at the Rennaissance Faire in Bristol, WI a number of years ago. I seem to remember it being called a german dagger? If anyone knows the maker and the real name/style, I'd be much obliged.

Again thank you all! This site is so amazing! Since I've found my way here I can't seem to do much else

Yours truly,
malnourished and sleep deprived,
Scott

[E.B. Erickson]

Hi Scott,
The dagger appears to be a repro of one of the German Landesknecht styles, minus the normal sidering. The originals date from the first half of the 1500s.

The two Dha are from Assam, which is a region in SE Asia on the Laos/Cambodia border (I think that's where it is, anyway...). The Assamese use that pointy end on their scabbards, unlike the similar Dha in Burma, Cambodia, and Thailand, which usually have squared-off scabbard ends.

--ElJay

[Jonathon Janusz]

Scott,

i know this is probably a long shot, but do you remember who you bought the dagger from at Bristol? my friends and i have spent a lot of time there over the last few years and at least one among us has discovered "who sells what" at each of the vendor booths. we could probably get it with the name of the shop.

have a great day!

[Don Stanko]

The fencing weapons you have are foils. One is a fench grip and the other has an Italian grip, neither are used much in competition today. They are considered older style grips, today they use mostly pistol style grips. Old or not, I love them for they have real charm.

[Scott H.]

Thank you everyone!!

It's amazing to me how the more I learn about swords, the more I realize there is to know. But this site has opened my eyes in a number of ways.

Jonathon- I don't remember the name of the 'store' but it was all the way back on the right hand side (near the tournament grounds) But that was also a number of years ago...

Don- I too love the fencing foils I grew up with them in my grandfather's attic and my brother and I would fence almost every time we went to visit. I was just curious if there was anything of interest that I missed.

Again, thank you all!

Scott

[Nathan Robinson]

Is that dagger from A&A? (Arms & Armor)

[Scott H.]

Wow! Nathan The big man himself! Hi!
That's what I'm trying to figure out I have a suspicion that it is A&A. But I just don't remember.

Thank you for all of your hard work on this site. It's amazing! And thank you for the contests and discounts too!

Have a great day,
Scott

[Nathan Robinson]

Well, the dagger looks like an old model #057 German Dagger from Arms & Armor. It is pretty much identical , but here's the kicker: I've seen other makers selling knock-offs of the same piece that were clearly made by making a mould from A&A's version. Having said this, however, the scabbard looks like a pretty typical one from A&A, including the strap and rivet.

So my official guess (grin) is that it's the A&A #057. I'm curious what Craig from A&A will say.

[Allen W]

The fittings look like some of A&A's but the blade, particularly the broad point, doen't look like any A&As I have seen.

[Scott H.]

Nathan-

I believe you're right. That title and number seems to ring a bell.

And I have to make a public apology about the condition of the blade.... It was a newbie's (mine) first attempt at sharpening...

I promise to learn more before I make such a mistake again.

Sincerely,
Scott

[David Wilson]

[Craig Johnson]

Yep

Thats a German Dagger from us. It was back when we had three general sizes of daggers. Ths one being a medium length parallel sided blade, as apposed to a tapering blade. This is what makes the tip look bigger Allen.

Best
Craig

[Andrew Winston]

Scott,

Don is absolutely correct that the two eastern swords you have are often referred to as "dha". However, I can probably add some helpful information.

Your examples are actually from Thailand, and are referred to in Thai as "darb" which, like the Burmese "dha" is simply one of several words for "sword" in that language. These are contemporary villiage-quality pieces, likely produced for sale to tourists. However, this is not to suggest that these are not the real deal, just that they were probably specifically manufactured for export, rather than local use. Swords of this form began appearing with GI's returning from service in SEA during the Vietnam war. The quality varies wildly, but some of these are very serviceable weapons.

Take great care should you decide to use these, as the blades have small spike tangs affixed with organic resin which tends to dry out and loosen with age.

Andrew

[Scott H.]

Wow! Thanks guys! I've got a long way to go in my knowledge base.... I even feel a little sheepish for bothering you all with this instead of doing more of the research on my own. But I do appreciate it.

Andrew-
You are so correct in the fact that those dha (dhas?) have short tangs! Only about an inch and a half! Definately NOT something to go swinging around! (I know... ooops)
Still, I do like the feel of them and the design. I bet a real pair would be a nasty whirling blender in the right hands.

Again, thank you all. And have a great day!

Scott H.