Hartford Antique Arms Show

[Lee]

Michael - thanks for the update; I have really drifted out of touch! I suppose cognitively I do realize prices are way up - and I can blame only myself for one truckload of salt in that well - but, now being priced well out of the market, those early adventures still dominate my emotional memory of when, wherever I found them, purchases of Viking Age swords were denominated in small banded bundles of 100 Deutsche Mark notes. It is hard to believe that twenty-five years ago - even 15 - a good solid excavated but complete though unadorned genuine Viking Age sword was something of a hard sell for a dealer to dispose of. The adjective starting with 'e' was the hurdle for the dealer then; the trick now for the collector is to find something on offer that matches that string of adjectives, especially the one starting with 'g'...

If my previous post incited any interest in Philip K. Dick, one may find the relevant passage in Man in the High Castle on Google docs; follow the link and then search down for the term "American artifacts".

[Matchlock]

Quite right, Lee,

I have noticed the same development over here, though excavated medieval - not Viking - sword finds have dropped a lot in price since so many Hungarian fakes started to flood the market some 5-8 years ago. They are so incredibly well 'aged', including the various conglomerates one would expect, that I would not touch one any more. And lots of people feel like that.

Best,
Michael

[Lee]

Do beware, Man in the High Castle is classic Philip K. Dick! I find the cited passages amazingly contemporary and insightful. Perhaps there was a burst of forgeries at the time as this came out towards the start of the U.S. Civil War Centennial in 1962.

Back to modern reality; as a necessity I scan these large shows fairly quickly (ok, perhaps 4 hours does not qualify as quickly) sometimes taking an aisle at full walking speed. In this mode I am drinking in the overall type of the items - i.e. martial long-arm, another, another - but not pausing long enough to look at any marking or other detail. One criterion only - is this what I am looking for today? No? - then not another glance. The sheer quantities of personally uninspected arms and armour must put me in this existential state of mind where I start quoting Philip K. Dick. Oh! to have a set of goggles that would display one color of glow around an out-and-out forgery, with another tint for fakes and a contrasting color for honest repairs and restorations. There were a couple of swords 'in medieval style' on offer above table at Hartford; I did not ask to take them down or even examine them closely, as a quick scan did not inspire much confidence for me in their authenticity.

I was burnt a couple of times when the eastern European fakes started coming out. The first of these, bought on an Internet auction, is pictured below. I have kept it as a reminder, hanging it impressively on a wall. As such things go this is a very proficient piece of work. It fooled me for a while, along with those I showed it to. It has a decent feel in the hand (tip - I have found this criterion to only be valid in the negative and disqualifying sense) and also has 'grain' though, in retrospect, perhaps a bit more of the wrought iron variety. As it ages, the applied conglomerates have started letting loose in sheets as the aging treatment continues to slowly react with the underlying metal.

[Matchlock]

Thank you so much, Lee,

For posting this characteristic sample.

This is exactly what I described - though it sounds totally unbelievable at first (and sadly second) glance and feels right when handled, after a while the conglomerates start coming off.

These fakes are both highly criminal and dangerous. I was told that the Hungarians 'damage' and then bury them in dung heaps for months. The dealers pay them about 300 USD a piece. Imagine!

Your sword, of course, is in 12th c. knightly style. What a pity ...

Best,
Michael

[Dmitry]

Originally Posted by Lee

If my previous post incited any interest in Philip K. Dick, one may find the relevant passage in Man in the High Castle on Google docs; follow the link and then search down for the term "American artifacts".

Interesting. I've browsed the passages dealing with the American artifacts, perhaps I will read the whole book.

Truth be told, I've examined a score of 'non-kosher' swords at the show, some made up from period parts, believable, others - laughable.
Authenticity has a way of 'telling' the story, when you hold it in your hand.

Ditto on Hartford vs. Baltimore. Timonium Fairgrounds has poor lighting, and a very poor layout.