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Originally Posted by Edge
ok sorry about that! I was just curious!
 OMG! lol scary! (it might explain why it smells bad lol-see below..)
Stuart thanks for the photos and the information 
This might seem weird but I would also like to add that the leather smells awefully bad  , it smells old and the silver or metal smells very much like smelly exhaust fumes terminator2ish  like WD40 (only 100x worse up close), maybe it's whatever they used on it? or the blood of the innocents :P I'm also unsure if it has been restored where there is black stuff that keeps the blade and the handle together, I think that stuff smells too what the hell..
Under the leather belt-holder at the >front< of the sword's scabbard, it's like as if the metal has been worn down and is smooth and lost it's pattern, probably because someone was wearing it and with friction it smoothed down?
I also see that under the leather at the rear, there is some sort of reaction and the metal has turned dark/greeney, probably because they used inferior/inpurer metals at the back instead of the front.
I hope/wish this wasen't of the mid 1900s, I want something old  |
Hi 'Edge'
The reaction where the metal has turned green will probobly be from the tannins in the leather corroding the metal. The green colour will be 'verdi gris' formed by the oxidisation of the copper content of the metal.
The wear on the metal (if that's what it is) may indicate that this was worn and used for some time prior to being bought in the 1970s.
How long, you'll have to judge for yourself from the state of the leather and item in general.
As has been stated, these have been made for a long period and frankly if yours was made in 1920 or 1950, it makes very little difference.
The important thing is that it is a very handsome example, in great condition. It looks to be well made, with a well formed blade, high quality silverwork on the hilt and mounts, and it has its belt!
I'd be happy to own it and if it were mine it would be a keeper!
So congratulations on a really nice piece!
Jealous Regards
Gene