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#1 |
Lead Moderator European Armoury
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Portugal
Posts: 9,694
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This guy, a local fellow collector, has all the luck. He buys obscure stuff for (extremely) cheap prices, gives them a good cleaning and the result is more than successful.
This cup hilt sword, with a lobulated bowl, is no doubt Portuguese. The cleaning is not yet finished and we may already see in one side of the blade a most unusual PELA FÉ DAREI A VIDA (For faith i will give my life) and on the other a not so clear VIVA EL REY DOM JOÃO, most certainly with a faded "IV". This inscription and this King (1640-1656) are in context of the Portuguese independence restoration from Spanish control. The mark on the ricasso is not decipherable, but its rubbing would only worsen the situation. By the way, a lobulated guard is called by the Portuguese "Margarida" (Daisy). . |
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Rhineland
Posts: 364
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I have no knowledge about that sort of swords, but this is an amazing example! Congratulations to your friend!
Kind regards Andreas |
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#3 |
Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Central Europe
Posts: 152
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The extent to which corrosion and the surface it decomposes can differ is astonishing. This specimen from the 17th century has retained most of its sharpness and structure, whereas some of my sabres from the 19th century that were lying in a dry attic have been completely massacred. A nice looking sword.
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#4 |
Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 9,885
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This is a breathtaking example!!!! OMG. !!
While clearly the blade is Portuguese, often we wonder if these are homogenous to the hilts they are mounted in......with this, there is no question. While the patination and corrosion is superficial, I really dont like to see too much 'cleaning'. (the historian in me cherishes the 'age' and encapsulated evidence of time). Your friend is amazing at finding these kinds of things most of us would have no opportunity to do in most of the venues available these days......which are naturally entirely commercial and lined with disappointment and expense too often. I cannot add much to the outstanding detail you have shared here Fernando, only to add heartfelt thanks for sharing this here, and profound congratulations to your friend!! Thank you both! |
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#5 |
Lead Moderator European Armoury
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Portugal
Posts: 9,694
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Thank you Jim. Thank you guys for the kind words
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#6 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Sweden
Posts: 688
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That’s a very beautiful sword. Is the grip made of wood or is it even some kind of bone?
It unsettles me a bit when I see a cuphilt and expect to see a delicate rapier blade for thrust, but there’s a broadsword for slashing attached to it instead. I wonder what it’s like logistically to slash with the swords edge. I guess a broad sword has an advantage against more slender blades when used as a slashing weapon where brute force can be used. I really prefer the broad sword blades, especially when there is writing on them! |
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