Sword Components - availabillity ??

katana · 13th August 2011, 03:16 PM

Could anyone recommend or know of traders that may have sword parts for sale, or actually specialise in this field. I have several regulation swords that require a few parts ....lost due to damage/or otherwise. I appreciate that some believe a sword should be left 'as is' ....I agree if the sword has 'historic provenance' ....but I feel some swords deserve to be made 'whole' again. I would rather fit the genuine article...than have parts made. I personally feel that this is 'acceptable'....after all swords would be often repaired / had replacement parts during their working life.

I wondered what others thought about this ....and thoughts on sourcing parts.

Kind Regards David

Jim McDougall · 13th August 2011, 06:01 PM

Hi David,
It seems that Wallis & Wallis used to always include a parts section in thier auction catalogs (Lewes, England), though its been years since I saw one.
Clearly many of the individuals who restore swords have these items or access to them. Obviously like cars, many weapons that are beyond repair end up being used for parts. Years ago (maybe even still) there are collectors who collected just scabbards, or like with Japanese swords, only the tsubas were collected.
Many swords which are battlefield pickups or campaign bringbacks are incomplete. I once found the scabbard for my M1796 British disc hilt with matching rack number in a museum listing of holdings, but apparantly was 'deaccessioned' probably with other non essentials.
Many dealers may often have parts as they of course are often 'completing' weapon ensembles.

These are probably the most likely sources, but of course the swap forum may offer some solutions. Finding collectors in the field who collect certain forms often have old parts too.

All the best,
Jim

tom hyle · 19th August 2011, 02:11 AM

I enjoy the sword as a living art form. Repair is good. Restoration is a fine form of repair. I have no special sources for parts; it's catch as catch can. Sometimes large dealers seem to acquire batches of new old stock unused parts from factory cleanouts etc. It's primarily blades I've sourced this way, but for instance I remember one guy having apparently a couple hundred bayonet sheath tips. Anyway, nothing specific to help you. Of course repros are widely available for Japanese sword parts, but less so for European ones AFAIK.

13th August 2011, 03:16 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Sword Components - availabillity ?? Could anyone recommend or know of traders that may have sword parts for sale, or actually specialise in this field. I have several regulation swords that require a few parts ....lost due to damage/or otherwise. I appreciate that some believe a sword should be left 'as is' ....I agree if the sword has 'historic provenance' ....but I feel some swords deserve to be made 'whole' again. I would rather fit the genuine article...than have parts made. I personally feel that this is 'acceptable'....after all swords would be often repaired / had replacement parts during their working life. I wondered what others thought about this ....and thoughts on sourcing parts. Kind Regards David

13th August 2011, 06:01 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,945	Hi David, It seems that Wallis & Wallis used to always include a parts section in thier auction catalogs (Lewes, England), though its been years since I saw one. Clearly many of the individuals who restore swords have these items or access to them. Obviously like cars, many weapons that are beyond repair end up being used for parts. Years ago (maybe even still) there are collectors who collected just scabbards, or like with Japanese swords, only the tsubas were collected. Many swords which are battlefield pickups or campaign bringbacks are incomplete. I once found the scabbard for my M1796 British disc hilt with matching rack number in a museum listing of holdings, but apparantly was 'deaccessioned' probably with other non essentials. Many dealers may often have parts as they of course are often 'completing' weapon ensembles. These are probably the most likely sources, but of course the swap forum may offer some solutions. Finding collectors in the field who collect certain forms often have old parts too. All the best, Jim

19th August 2011, 02:11 AM	#3
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	I enjoy the sword as a living art form. Repair is good. Restoration is a fine form of repair. I have no special sources for parts; it's catch as catch can. Sometimes large dealers seem to acquire batches of new old stock unused parts from factory cleanouts etc. It's primarily blades I've sourced this way, but for instance I remember one guy having apparently a couple hundred bayonet sheath tips. Anyway, nothing specific to help you. Of course repros are widely available for Japanese sword parts, but less so for European ones AFAIK.