How about this long sword blade?
 

:confused:

I'm asking this for a friend. The blade might be Middle East or European? But it is later matched with Chinese fittings. Blade length 74 cm. What do you think of it? Is it worth collecting?

Thanks!

Can we see the handle?
And as to the Big Question: anything is worth collecting as long as one enjoys it!
I have even heard of totally deprived individuals who collect.. you would not believe it!... POSTAL STAMPS! :eek: :eek:

I have a European rapier blade refitted with Chinese handle & scabard,too. They even put the seven copper plugs in the blade, but all in a cluster in the ricasso.

Very nice. [drool]. :)

That looks too wide to be a rapier blade though. It might be from a European Broadsword.

Both European broadsword blades, both appear Solingen 17th c.
Interesting to see the seven stars added on Mark's blade in that particular configuration.
Ariel.....not only stamps....some people collect.....coins!!!!!!:)

All best,
Jim

It is about 1 inch wide at most, which I think fits the definition of a rapier. An article on Wikipedia says that a long pointy blade 2.5 cm (i.e., an inch) or less qualifies. Of course, Wikipedia is not an infallible authority. :) Perhaps it is more properly called a cut-and-thrust sword, but it is too thin and light to be a broadsword, IMO. Aren't they more in the range of 3 - 3.5 cm?

Another interesting thing about my blade is that there are the faint traces of an etched motto on both sides of the blade, but it has been almost polished out over time and is now illegible (at least to me).

Mr. McDougall,

I'm pretty new here and have no knowledge of European blades, so I was wondering if you could tell us what details from the sword that Athena posted allowed you to know that it is a Solingen make?

Regards,

Yu-Ming