Basket hilted backsword

Ron Anderson · 13th October 2010, 06:39 AM

Hi Cathey

Thanks for your feedback.

I'm actually not Australian by birth but have been here for a good few years.

I'm originally from Johannesburg, where I collected a wide variety of edged weapons, but most notably English regulation pattern officer's swords.

However, I sold my collection about 10 years ago, on emigrating, and have only started rebuilding again in the last 2 years.

I'm now far less discriminating. I also collect clubs, armour and knives from around the world.

But my real interest is in old European swords and armour - 18th century and earlier. And antique daggers, particularly European, but also elsewhere.

I'm pretty eclectic.

Cathey · 13th October 2010, 06:51 AM

HI RON REX AND I ALSO HAVE A GREAT INTEREST IN EARLY SWORDS AND ARMOUR BUT THEY ARE GETTING VERY PRICEY WE PUT A POSTING ON YESTERDAY ABOUT A RAPIER TELL US WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT IT
CHEERS REX/CATHEY

Ron Anderson · 13th October 2010, 07:53 AM

Hi Cathey

I do like rapiers. On this one I'm not that impressed with the hilt. The quality of it does not look great. And this I think is an indication that it may be a Victorian era piece, where the purpose of such swords was for display purposes only. The best guarantee for me that the item is truly early is in the quality of the workmanship. Copyists generally did not have the resources or motivation to provide the same level of quality in the work. The blade may be older, I don't know. The wire on the hilt certainly looks new.

I would let it go. There will be opportunities to buy a better item. Unless you're happy with a Victorian copy.

While I am not certain it is a Victorian copy, I have learned to trust cognitive dissonance (that intuitive feeling that something is not quite right). On these sorts of item, that may be the best guide in determining a good from a bad buy.

13th October 2010, 06:39 AM	#1
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Hi Cathey Thanks for your feedback. I'm actually not Australian by birth but have been here for a good few years. I'm originally from Johannesburg, where I collected a wide variety of edged weapons, but most notably English regulation pattern officer's swords. However, I sold my collection about 10 years ago, on emigrating, and have only started rebuilding again in the last 2 years. I'm now far less discriminating. I also collect clubs, armour and knives from around the world. But my real interest is in old European swords and armour - 18th century and earlier. And antique daggers, particularly European, but also elsewhere. I'm pretty eclectic.

13th October 2010, 06:51 AM	#2
Cathey Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: adelaide south australia Posts: 284	HI RON REX AND I ALSO HAVE A GREAT INTEREST IN EARLY SWORDS AND ARMOUR BUT THEY ARE GETTING VERY PRICEY WE PUT A POSTING ON YESTERDAY ABOUT A RAPIER TELL US WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT IT CHEERS REX/CATHEY

13th October 2010, 07:53 AM	#3
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Hi Cathey I do like rapiers. On this one I'm not that impressed with the hilt. The quality of it does not look great. And this I think is an indication that it may be a Victorian era piece, where the purpose of such swords was for display purposes only. The best guarantee for me that the item is truly early is in the quality of the workmanship. Copyists generally did not have the resources or motivation to provide the same level of quality in the work. The blade may be older, I don't know. The wire on the hilt certainly looks new. I would let it go. There will be opportunities to buy a better item. Unless you're happy with a Victorian copy. While I am not certain it is a Victorian copy, I have learned to trust cognitive dissonance (that intuitive feeling that something is not quite right). On these sorts of item, that may be the best guide in determining a good from a bad buy.