help on a strange sword , translation on arab inscription ...

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by BerberDagger

Salaams Ibrahiim al Balooshi ,

I dont think it is chinese ... I think european " in style " but is not arab characters in the centre of pommel ?

thank you
BerberDagger

Salaams BerberDagger I dont think so... they also look mildly Chinese ..cloud patterns. It is not impossible to have Arabic on a Chinese item ... The Islamic frontiers of China are vast... but in this case I think you have a Chinese sword according to the pommel style (the crossguard baffles me). However, I am no specialist of Chinese weapons nor of the huge complexities in Arabic or Chinese calligraphy so perhaps we can pull someone in who is?
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Timo Nieminen]

It isn't Chinese (unless it's a modern-made Chinese-made replica of a European sword). Neither the pommel nor the guard are Chinese in style. Both are Medieval European in style, though the guard is very chunky. My first thought was "Toledo replica", but this sword has a forged blade, so I don't know.

One of the photos shows the end of the pommel, but it's shaded. Is the tang peened there? If not, the pommel is either glued on or screwed on. Perhaps disassembly will provide some answer?

On this style of pommel, the pointy part is an integrated peen block. (Separate peen blocks were common.) But brass tends to be soft and can deform when peening. Which is why I ask if it's peened. (All the original pommels of this type I've seen are iron/steel.)

The blade is forged, but by Medieval standards, poorly finished. So it looks like a modern sword, perhaps deliberately left with a wavy ridge etc. to make it look obviously hand-forged.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Timo Nieminen

It isn't Chinese (unless it's a modern-made Chinese-made replica of a European sword). Neither the pommel nor the guard are Chinese in style. Both are Medieval European in style, though the guard is very chunky. My first thought was "Toledo replica", but this sword has a forged blade, so I don't know.

One of the photos shows the end of the pommel, but it's shaded. Is the tang peened there? If not, the pommel is either glued on or screwed on. Perhaps disassembly will provide some answer?

On this style of pommel, the pointy part is an integrated peen block. (Separate peen blocks were common.) But brass tends to be soft and can deform when peening. Which is why I ask if it's peened. (All the original pommels of this type I've seen are iron/steel.)

The blade is forged, but by Medieval standards, poorly finished. So it looks like a modern sword, perhaps deliberately left with a wavy ridge etc. to make it look obviously hand-forged.

Salaams Timo Nieminen, I think it is a mixture but based on a new Chinese sword as at the start of your post. I think the top ring on the pommel has snapped off...on which the tassel would have been tied. The crossguard is odd.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[David]

I think this is most likely a modern fantasy sword probably of Chinese origins. If that is the case the feature designs of the blade and fittings are not going to be a fair guide to origins.

[Timo Nieminen]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams Timo Nieminen, I think it is a mixture but based on a new Chinese sword as at the start of your post. I think the top ring on the pommel has snapped off...on which the tassel would have been tied. The crossguard is odd.

I've never seen a Chinese-style sword with a wheel pommel (or wheel pommel + peen block, or wheel pommel + ring). If you're thinking of a specific example, I'd be interested in seeing it.

The shape of the pommel is very European. The decoration on the pommel is not. Here is an example of a modern replica with this shape pommel: http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=14705

This particular sword might be inspired by a famous sword. Here is a review of a replica, with original for comparison: http://www.myarmoury.com/review_aa_hen.html

(David, I haven't seen a blade like this on modern replica/fantasy stuff out of China. Unless the lighting exaggerates the waviness and unevenness of the blade.)

[BerberDagger]

Hi at all , thank you for all the comment ... I show it to an expert here , his comment was that sword is 19th century hilt and guard and very well made ( pics dont made justice ...not new 19th century of sure , olso wood and leather heandle is not modern) .. the blade is damascus steel and probably 18th century ..so a composite sword probably in the spanish moorish 15th century style ... its is his opinion ..

[BerberDagger]

can i have a pics or link of the fantasy chinese sword similar ?

[BerberDagger]

here others pics