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-   -   Persian shamshir destroyed by USPS!!! (http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=22896)

estcrh 19th July 2017 10:29 PM

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Another near disaster, this box contained a rather rare and valuable pistol and tabar. The box was split open and the end of the pistol barrel was sticking out, fortunately there did not seem to be any damage. The box was lined inside with additional cardboard and the items were bubble wrapped.

Philip 19th July 2017 11:28 PM

ouch! ready for another horror story?
 
Just today UPS delivered 3 talwars sent by a customer for restoration. I set the box down on one end so I could sign the delivery receipt, and felt something heavy go "thunk" inside. Turns out that one tip protruded about an inch, enough to nick the hardwood floor of the vestibule :mad: and it wasn't the first time it happened in transit because the point was already bent at an angle :eek: Sender used a flimsy box, not enough padding to keep contents (banded together) from "sloshing" , and absolutely nothing to guard the exposed points on these swords!

I tend to discourage the use of UPS anyway, they tend to beat up parcels in general, almost as bad as the postal service, but neglected to advise sender in advance. One shipment, last year, was received with corner of box cut open and a couple of sword fittings purloined
:mad:

rickystl 21st July 2017 08:18 PM

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Here's another handy item to use in packing. Works well for many items.
Air Conditioning tubing insulation. It's very inexpensive and you can pick it up at any Home Depot or Lowe's. If I recall, it comes in about 4 different diameters. Saves a lot of extra packing wrap, etc. in many cases.
As an example: I wrap gun barrels with this insulation, tape the ends, and then slide it into a PVC tube. That way the gunsmith can simply return it to me in the same tube. Just change the shipping label.
I can see this assisting in packing some blades, crossguards, handles, etc.
Just an extra idea.

Rick

Neil 22nd July 2017 12:03 AM

So Sorry. For whatever it is worth you are clearly not alone. I have had numerous bent blades and broken tips over the years too.

I tape wooden shims over the ends of the bare blades I send and pack the surrounding areas firmly. Over seas packages go in strong tubes. I also write in fragile in large print on all sides of the packages.

Just my two cents.

estcrh 23rd July 2017 09:14 AM

I just received a full refund including shipping. The seller offered a partial refund if I decided to have the sword repaired but I decided not to risk it.

rickystl 23rd July 2017 05:16 PM

Well, glad you received a full refund in this sad situation. Probably the best outcome in this case. But I'm sure you will not forget about that shamsir for a while. Such a shame.

Rick

silberschatzimsee 31st July 2017 02:26 AM

That tip with the plastic pipe is very good. With smaller diameterpipes i trsnsport my fishing rods in the plane.

Helleri 3rd August 2017 09:09 PM

I like using cardboard edge/corner reinforcement for objects that are significantly heavier and hard than a box they would be shipped or moved in.

http://i.imgur.com/pBRnpwJ.jpg

GePi 12th August 2017 07:44 AM

Umm, it seems the sword has come back to live.

Perhaps the listing got reposted automatically, but perhaps someone should contact the seller...

I too would like to add my condolences. Literally the same week I was delivered a shamshir (the package simply dumped in front of my apartment door without me being present) with the point literally sticking 2 inches outside of the package! Luckily no damage to the blade and no blood spurts in the surrounding area, so it seems I dodged a bullet there. Exceptionally bad packaging, from a reputable acution house no less...

estcrh 12th August 2017 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GePi
Umm, it seems the sword has come back to live.

Yes and the pictures appear to be the exact same ones from the old listing, before the damage...very strange???

estcrh 1st September 2017 11:05 AM

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Another near miss, this Egyptian rolling block bayonet was shipped to me from Europe, see how it arrived, fortunately is does not seem to have been damaged.

kronckew 1st September 2017 11:19 AM

lucky.

me too,

my UK CG sabre arrived by courier this morning, box had been torn across by an impact midway down the length on 3 sides of the box. it was saved by the multiple layers of bubble wrap and a surfeit of packing tape over that and the one remaining box side.

estcrh 1st September 2017 11:59 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew
lucky.

me too,

my UK CG sabre arrived by courier this morning, box had been torn across by an impact midway down the length on 3 sides of the box. it was saved by the multiple layers of bubble wrap and a surfeit of packing tape over that and the one remaining box side.

Here is a pistol that did not make it in one piece, it was sent to me from Europe but it was for some unknown never delivered and it was instead returned, the owner received it in the condition you see below.

estcrh 1st September 2017 12:08 PM

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I just sent a Persian percussion rifle to Philip Tom for a stock repair, taking into account the damage shown here you can see my successful attempt to get it to Philip and back in undamaged condition.

rickystl 1st September 2017 05:51 PM

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Hi Estcrh.

That's a beautiful Persian rifle!!! Looks like it "just" fit the gun case. I've found that even double-wall boxes are good for only one round trip. I wish they made those plastic gun cases for long barrels, but they don't. I've looked everywhere.
Here's a Sind rifle I sent to the gunsmith to make a small fix on the lock position where he needed the entire gun. Imagine trying to find a gun case to fit this. LOL If you've seen these guns the butt stock is not only very wide, but also very thin. So I ended up having a co-worker make me a crate from pine wood, reinforced at the corners and the middle. He actually went a bit over board with the construction. The foam is the type used over the top of hospital beds. I could have dropped this crate off a one story building and the contents would be ok. LOL!! I was astonished that the weight and dimensions "just" made the limits for USPS. But I can use this crate again.

Rick

Philip 3rd September 2017 06:26 AM

shipping Sind rifles
 
There are two types of long guns that I simply hate to ship because of packing hassles (1) the deeply recurved stocks like these Sind guns and Afghan jezails and (2) the pronounced pistol-grip butts typical of China and northern Vietnam. You have to over-engineer the packing, otherwise you're tempting fate. Commercial gun cases aren't long enough for the barrels on these guns, either (although I've squeaked under the size limit by dismounting the barrel and packing it alongside the stock, which removes a lot of stress on the curved thin wood, anyway.) But you still need a proper box...

I've had good luck buying snowboard cartons that a well-known shipping and warehouse supply company sells along with a cornucopia of other containers in all imaginable sizes. The only thing you have to order them in bundles of 5 or 10, since I'm in the restoration business that's not a problem. These cartons are 14 in. wide by about 5 thick, and about 70 in. long -- they just make it under the USPS length/girth max of 108 in. And are the only off-the-shelf size that will accommodate the two types of guns mentioned above. They are of very heavy corrugated stock and I use all the methods mentioned previously in this post to support, stabilize, and pad the contents on all sides. So far so good, although for domestic shipping I use FedEx instead of the mail.

estcrh 4th September 2017 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickystl
Hi Estcrh.

That's a beautiful Persian rifle!!! Looks like it "just" fit the gun case. I've found that even double-wall boxes are good for only one round trip. I wish they made those plastic gun cases for long barrels, but they don't. I've looked everywhere.
Here's a Sind rifle I sent to the gunsmith to make a small fix on the lock position where he needed the entire gun. Imagine trying to find a gun case to fit this. LOL If you've seen these guns the butt stock is not only very wide, but also very thin. So I ended up having a co-worker make me a crate from pine wood, reinforced at the corners and the middle. He actually went a bit over board with the construction. The foam is the type used over the top of hospital beds. I could have dropped this crate off a one story building and the contents would be ok. LOL!! I was astonished that the weight and dimensions "just" made the limits for USPS. But I can use this crate again.

Rick

Rick, nice example, how long is it? I also have one, it looks to be much longer but it is hard to tell from photos, I will find it and take some pictures and measurements.

ausjulius 4th September 2017 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estcrh
The seller should have insured it, I have asked for a refund of course. I think only a wood box or gun case would have prevented this type of neglectful shipping.

looks like the forklift hit it full force i think a gun case would have failed. must have been 1000snd kgs slammed instantly on it


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