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Forum Index > Historical Arms Talk > Maciej Kopciuch Early Medieval Sword Project Reply to topic
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Maciej K.
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Location: Poland
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PostPosted: Sat 16 Apr, 2016 1:58 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Thanks J.D.
actually I have almost shaped the pommel and crossguard for your sword. I will shaping the blade next week - just need to make some pics and post them here to show some progress Happy

Medieval Swords - www.artofswordmaking.com
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J.D. Crawford




Location: Toronto
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PostPosted: Fri 20 May, 2016 8:09 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Here is the first set of pictures from Maciej for your viewing pleasure, comments, and/or questions:


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M. Livermore





Joined: 20 Aug 2008

Posts: 96

PostPosted: Sat 21 May, 2016 7:19 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

The sharpie reference lines are wonderful to see in photographs of work at this stage. This one looks to be progressing nicely.
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J.D. Crawford




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PostPosted: Sun 22 May, 2016 8:30 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

One decision that needs to be made quickly is whether to attempt to reproduce the original inlay (see picture below). This is what 'sword site' quotes (evidently from the Christie's catalog, which apparently had this word for sale in 1991:

"One side is boldly cut with an abbreviated inscription of four large Lombardic letters "R - - V" and a large cross potent at both ends. The reverse has possible traces of further letters."

This sword has been dated to 1100 which seems about right for the overall form, but a bit late for a type X. From my limited knowledge, inlay was transitioning from iron (mostly on type Xs like this) to silver (on Xa, XI) at this time. The large scrawling letters here seems to suggest the iron type (no longer present). Here's what Christie's said in 1991:

"The epigraphic style found on the present blade is linked to the wider series of blades with inscriptions inlaid in a contrasting soft iron, of which the most well-known are the “Ulfberht” type. The abbreviated inscription on the present blade appears to be as yet unstudied"

Any thoughts on what the inscription says/means?

In terms of reproducing it on my sword, its not a done deal. It was not in the original quote. Funds are not unlimited and I'm not sure if Maciej is comfortable with doing iron inlay at this point in time. Maybe there's no point in getting it half right. A compromise might be to add a couple of crosses in some other metal just to acknowledge the presence of inlay in the original. But I would be interested in hearing some feedback.



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J.D. Crawford




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PostPosted: Tue 24 May, 2016 7:44 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

You guys are unusually quiet! We weren't sure about the iron inlay, so I've decided to go ahead with a single cross potent in a metal Maciej is comfortable with. It won't be historically perfect but it's at least a nod to the Christian symbolism on the original.
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Luka Borscak




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PostPosted: Tue 24 May, 2016 8:35 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Single cross done in copper or bronze is not a sophisticated inlay, but on a simple sword it adds much to visual appeal. I can't decipher the original inlay and I know iron inlays are way more work than bronze or copper, so the decision is a logical one.
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Nathan Robinson
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PostPosted: Tue 24 May, 2016 4:58 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

J.D. Crawford wrote:
You guys are unusually quiet! We weren't sure about the iron inlay, so I've decided to go ahead with a single cross potent in a metal Maciej is comfortable with. It won't be historically perfect but it's at least a nod to the Christian symbolism on the original.


As far as I'm concerned, this was the right choice. There's just not enough detailed info of the original to make a reproduction of it. I like the cross potent motif quite a bit and think it's very fitting here. I'm really looking forward to seeing this one get completed.

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Maciej K.
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PostPosted: Fri 27 May, 2016 9:28 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

well, I`m also a fan of simple markings, like the cross potent, for this type of sword. We know some good examples for this and I will post them later.
a little update for this work is that the blade will go to heat treating on days and a pommel and guard are almost finished for now. I will try to get some pictures and send to JD very soon.

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J.D. Crawford




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PostPosted: Fri 27 May, 2016 10:55 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Maciej K. wrote:
well, I`m also a fan of simple markings, like the cross potent, for this type of sword. We know some good examples for this and I will post them later.
a little update for this work is that the blade will go to heat treating on days and a pommel and guard are almost finished for now. I will try to get some pictures and send to JD very soon.


Can't wait to see that! Thanks guys for your supportive comments.
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J.D. Crawford




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PostPosted: Wed 15 Jun, 2016 5:36 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Here are some pictures of the engraving, before heat treatment.

Seems that Maciej is working on more than 15 blades right now and then will treat them together. I guess that explains why he is quiet at times and then seems to produce a bunch of swords at once.



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Nathan Robinson
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PostPosted: Thu 16 Jun, 2016 1:16 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

J.D. Crawford wrote:
Seems that Maciej is working on more than 15 blades right now and then will treat them together. I guess that explains why he is quiet at times and then seems to produce a bunch of swords at once.


Makes sense. I wish more makers would work this way. Maybe they'd get more out the door in a timely manner.

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J.D. Crawford




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PostPosted: Thu 23 Jun, 2016 5:08 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Here's the next batch of swords from Maciej. Mine is #4


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J.D. Crawford




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PostPosted: Sat 25 Jun, 2016 1:01 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Starting to look like a sword...


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Scott Kowalski




Location: Oak Lawn, IL USA
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PostPosted: Sun 26 Jun, 2016 8:59 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

And looking fantastic as well. The inlay is going to look spectacular! You sir are a lucky man.
Chris Landwehr 10/10/49-1/1/09 My Mom
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J.D. Crawford




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PostPosted: Sun 26 Jun, 2016 11:22 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Scott Kowalski wrote:
And looking fantastic as well. The inlay is going to look spectacular! You sir are a lucky man.


Thanks Scott. I'm running out of sword space, so I might have to sell off some favorites to some other lucky men to make room.
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Scott Kowalski




Location: Oak Lawn, IL USA
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PostPosted: Sun 26 Jun, 2016 11:34 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

J.D. Crawford wrote:
Scott Kowalski wrote:
And looking fantastic as well. The inlay is going to look spectacular! You sir are a lucky man.


Thanks Scott. I'm running out of sword space, so I might have to sell off some favorites to some other lucky men to make room.


You are welcome J.D. That sounds like me and my mountain bikes. Tough place to be. I have gotten myself down to pretty much 3 bikes that can do everything I need them to.

Chris Landwehr 10/10/49-1/1/09 My Mom
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J.D. Crawford




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PostPosted: Fri 15 Jul, 2016 7:20 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

More updates.....................................................................


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Roger Hooper




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PostPosted: Fri 15 Jul, 2016 9:37 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I'm looking forward to seeing the finished sword. I love that type A pommel
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Tim Lison




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PostPosted: Sat 16 Jul, 2016 8:48 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

This is looking just great! The upward curve of the pommel with the downward curve of the cross is really nice. I'm envious...
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Patrick Kelly




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PostPosted: Sat 16 Jul, 2016 9:30 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Saw this one on his facebook page the other day and thought to myself, "Those are nice proportions on that one." I'm glad to see it's going to someone who will appreciate it.
"In valor there is hope.".................. Tacitus
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