I think this one looks WAAAY to pristine for me...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem...tegory=355

When you consider that the blade appears to be corroded, and stuck in the scabbard, I'd hardly call it pristine.

Genuine or not I wouldn't pay much for it.

But it seems like there is much to much blade there intact at least vs the museum pictures I've seen.

I think what you're seeing is the outside of the scabbard. There appear to be scabbard mounts at the top near the tang. It looks like an iron scabbard with the remains of a blade inside.

Yeah, just seeing the scabbard for the most part. If you click the auction picture it will take you to a page over very nice pictures of the sword. It does mention that the scabbard has been cleaned, which might be what makes it look like it is in such good shape. All in all, it doesn't look like it is in any better shape then some of the swords that have went through Hermann Historica. The tang appears to be diamond in cross-section and a few other little details like that seem to be spot on. About the only thing which sounds funny about the auction is the fact that I would bet someone in an office was given pictures and bits of information and told to write it up. For example the shift in language and the leaf blade shape mentioned, when it appears to just be an optical illusion from the main picture.

Shane

Oops! I stand corrected, I was just looking at that little bitty picture on the auction. :)