Bronze Blade - What type? -- myArmoury.com

Harry J. Fletcher · Posted: Mon 11 Jan, 2010 4:14 pm Post subject: Bronze Blade - What type?

I bought this blade from Albion's dust bin but do not have any information about it. Can anyone help identify this blade? Also I am going to put a hilt on it but am unsure how to go about it as I do not want to drill holes in the tang. Any help I can get would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Harry

Luke Zechman · Posted: Mon 11 Jan, 2010 5:04 pm Post subject:

Harry,
Check out Neil Burridge's web page called Bronze Age Craft, and Matthew Amt's Greek Hoplite page which has a link to his Bronze Age page. Both those places have information that may help you figure out how to hilt that sword.

www.bronze-age-craft.com

I would say it is a replica of a Mycenean short sword/dagger. Looks very thick and heavy. You may want to hit it with some serious grinding to bring it closser to originals acceptable weight. Also I am pretty sure you will have to drill holes to hilt that sword, and do some rivetting. Hope this helped.

Harry J. Fletcher · Posted: Mon 11 Jan, 2010 6:29 pm Post subject: Luke Zechman

Luke, thanks for your information Yes, it looks like a Mycennae sword dagger. Actually, the photo makes the blade look thick and clumsy but it really looks better that than that. I hope this picture does it better service. The blade weighs less than a pound and is semi sharp. the point tip was broken so I had to fix that with a file.

I guess your are right in that I am going to have to drill a hole in the tang, preferably at the end of it. the other holes will might be done on the thick part of the upper part of the sword body.

Matthew Amt · Posted: Tue 12 Jan, 2010 6:53 am Post subject:

Khaire!

I *think* that's supposed to be an interpretation of the Mycenaean "Lion Hunt" dagger. The original, along with a number of similar pieces, had an inset panel of specially blackened bronze inlaid with gold and silver. These daggers typically don't have a tang at all, the hilt being riveted to the shoulders of the blade. So all you have to do is lop off the tang and drill a few holes. Ah, found a photo, attached below.

The Albion Moat bronzes are certainly a cheap way to get into bronze weaponry, but they generally involve more work for less satisfaction. Once you get a GOOD bronze weapon from Neil or one of the other good casters out there, you'll never go back to the Indian-made things. You can see a few conversions that I've done:

http://www.larp.com/hoplite/BAweapons.html

Good luck! And yell if you need more advice.

Matthew