MINIATURE KNIVES/TRAVELLERS SAMPLES FOR COMMENT

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by Lew

Hi Stu

Honestly these mini knives are nice but they look too fresh to me to be older than the later half of the 20th century. I figure 1985-2000. There is no oxidation present on the blades the bone looks freshly cut. They are just a good quality modern set of mini knives to me.

Hi Lew,
The flash has made the bone look quite clean but in fact it is ingrained with dirt/colouration. The blades have been cleaned as is often the case when non collectors own them, so any patina which should be there is gone. The family from which they came has (according to them) owned them since the 1950s and they say they were not new then. Can only go with the provenance given.
Stu

[Jim McDougall]

Hi Stu,
Facinating topic!!! I think the guy to find on this subject is Roger Evans ("The Plug Bayonet", R.D.C.Evans).
Years ago he was THE authority on bayonets and wrote the column "Cold Steel" in several magazines on arms I believe. I recall he sold off all his bayonets and went into the study of miniature weapons, and I recall thinking how wonderfully bizarre and esoteric!!!!
He must have written something on them by now.

All the best,
Jim

[kahnjar1]

Thanks Jim. It's amazing what turns up in NZ as we are so far away from everything here. These, though not "my thing", are rather interesting, and I had hoped that the story given to me was, at least in part, correct. Don't quite know what this style of Travellers samples (if that is what they are) would be doing in this part of the world, as I can not see anyone ordering from them here. Sufficient to say that they would make an interesting addition to the collection of someone who is interested in Islamic knives.
Regards Stu

[Jim McDougall]

Hi Stu,
It really is amazing what turns up down there!!!
I have always thought miniatures in general were fascinating, seeing such craftsmanship in such small scale. Actually it seems like living in a space smaller than most rooms in houses in this RV, it would be ideal to collect these since I have no place to put the full size ones
It seems like over the years a lot of times those Indonesian and Southeast Asian panoplies are found mounted on plaques. I have a book someplace on miniature arms from years ago, as I say pretty esoteric, and amazing.

I do know that creating these arms in lilliputian size was serious business and created as novelties often for royals and dignitaries usually as displays of craftsmanship by artisans. I think that was the primary purpose rather than as sales samples, and they were intended to impress and delight.

I was hoping for some other entries from readers world out there, but aint holdin my breath !!

All the best,
Jim

[thinreadline]

Hi
These are certainly World Wide Arms products. I have an identical set which I bought for my son over 15 years ago. They looked old and were reasonable quality , but copuld well have been made in India in recent times. However just because they were sold by WWA it does not mean they are fake.. WWA have turned some pretty fantastic pieces of Indo Persian gear over the last 40 years ... in the early days Les Rawlinson was always over in India buying up armouries .
On another point , I am a friend of Roger Evans .. the only miniatures he is interested in are miniaure bayonets , so I dont think he will be much help here .

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by thinreadline

Hi
These are certainly World Wide Arms products. I have an identical set which I bought for my son over 15 years ago. They looked old and were reasonable quality , but copuld well have been made in India in recent times. However just because they were sold by WWA it does not mean they are fake.. WWA have turned some pretty fantastic pieces of Indo Persian gear over the last 40 years ... in the early days Les Rawlinson was always over in India buying up armouries .
On another point , I am a friend of Roger Evans .. the only miniatures he is interested in are miniaure bayonets , so I dont think he will be much help here .

You're right he was interested in bayonets primarily and I had forgotten that detail. Its been a while since talking with him so please send my best regards. His work on "The Plug Bayonet" was outstanding as were his "Cold Steel" articles which I read for many years before becoming acquainted with him.
What is key in his work is the pertinant details which often relate to other fields of arms. Despite the focus on bayonets, his attention to collective detail often offers highly relevant clues to other areas.

All best regards,
Jim

[Dom]

Hi Stu.
in France, ... in the past ... when artisans want to get the title of "master",
they must prepare a project, in their field, and in straight line with their specialty

the project achievement will be called; "chef-d'oeuvre"
either in English; "masterpiece"
but I dunno if the meaning it's the same ?

any way, it's a realization at a scale reduced ...
the better of the best possible, that the candidate at this title, may realize,
then it will be judged by his "pairs" (committee of former masters)
who will decide to "receive, master" or not the candidate

may be your knifes collection could be, a prove from a craftsmanship of a "master" ?
or similar ?

this collection seems from a very good "facture" (workmanship )


rgds

à +

Dom

[thinreadline]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

You're right he was interested in bayonets primarily and I had forgotten that detail. Its been a while since talking with him so please send my best regards. His work on "The Plug Bayonet" was outstanding as were his "Cold Steel" articles which I read for many years before becoming acquainted with him.
What is key in his work is the pertinant details which often relate to other fields of arms. Despite the focus on bayonets, his attention to collective detail often offers highly relevant clues to other areas.

All best regards,
Jim

You are absolutely right , he is a real academic , his field ( forgive the pun ) was agronomy . He always applies a rigorous approach to his research. I will pass on your regards , he has not been well recently .
Regards