The Original Dhu'l-Faqar

[AhmedH]

Originally Posted by Richard Furrer

Sorry Ahmed,
I mean the study of the metal itself:
chemistry, crystal structure, hardnesses, impurities etc
as well as the particulars of the blade:
weight, length, width, cross-sectional changes

From a blacksmith point of view these are the most important to reconstruct the item. Its place in art, culture and religion is secondary. With a good basis of such information replicas can be made and tested....true replicas with similar properties.

Some swords are in poor enough condition that every time it is moved bits fall off...most of the time these bits are stored in the display case or in the box in the archives, but often they are thrown out....these bits can be analyzed and used to determine facts about the metal.

I am not aware of any studies about the metal in these pre-Islamic/early Islamic swords...that needs to change.

Ric

Dear Ric,

Thanks a lot for your clarifying post. Your postings are of great importance indeed. Regarding the weight, dimensions, etc...these are stated in pages 27-29.

BTW, there was a metalographic study for a sword attributed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that is now in Cairo, Egypt. The chemical analysis of the sword was undergone by a known chemist, who was later on, the vice-dean of the Faculty of Archaeology-Cairo University. This analysis was published in the Faculty's journal in 1976.

I very much agree with you regarding the blacksmiths point of view! I'm sure I've come to the right place, and am talking with the right people!

Best regards,
Ahmed Helal Hussein