| Author |
Message |
Ben Potter
Industry Professional
Location: Western Idaho Joined: 29 Sep 2008
Posts: 347
|
 Posted: Fri 08 Oct, 2010 2:43 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
Thanks for the good links and pictures.
If you look closely at the blade on the D guard "Dirk" you can see that it was cut down from a longer sword. Notice how the fuller and bevel are "not quite right". I would hazard a guess that it was either modified by a sailor/officer who wanted the D-guard but not the longer blade (like the one that I am making) or that it was cut down for a youth to use/play with.
Either way who ever modified it was most likely not a professional cutler (the poor quality of the work on the blade) are many examples of this kind of "battle field modification" especially from the western front in WWI.
I am not an expert on dating historical blades, or discerning a forgery and was wondering why this one would be suspect?
I'm about to show my ignorance. For its looks. could be a cut down musicians/NCO sword?
Ben Potter Bladesmith
It's not that I would trade my lot
For any other man's,
Nor that I will be ashamed
Of my work torn hands-
For I have chosen the path I tread
Knowing it would be steep,
And I will take the joys thereof
And the consequences reap.
|
|
   |
 |
|
Dmitry Z~G
|
| Posted: Fri 08 Oct, 2010 5:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Roger Hooper wrote: | | However, in another thread, Jonathan Hopkins praises you as a weapons expert, so maybe I should defer to your knowledge. If the U.K. National Maritime Museum mistakenly lists this item as a Naval Dirk made in 1862, I think you should contact them and tell them that it is a modern(?) child's toy. |
Perhaps I will contact the NMM, since this is such an obvious [but not a singular] mis-attribution on their site.
I think it's time for you to browse some books on the general subject of antique naval weapons, and/or handle some examples at a good antique arms show. It appears your knowledge of them is cursory, at best.
There are some excellent, but hardly comprehensive titles. Let me know if you need a list.
There is no 1862 naval sword, and never was. There is an 1852 sword, which this toy is based on. Blade profile of it suggests it was made in the 1900s.
|
|
|
|
|
Roger Hooper
|
| Posted: Fri 08 Oct, 2010 8:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
Dmitry, thank you for your condescension. However, if I do ask for a reading list, I think I would prefer to get in touch with Jonathan Hopkins. And please do contact the NMM about this item. I'm sure that they will appreciate your help.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dmitry Z~G
|
| Posted: Fri 08 Oct, 2010 8:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Roger Hooper wrote: | | Dmitry, thank you for your condescension. |
Any time!
|
|
|
|
|
Nathan Robinson
myArmoury Admin
|
|
 |
|
|
|
This is a standard topic