VOC BLADES

Jim McDougall · 15th February 2014, 04:31 AM

Hey Capn Mark!
I knew I could count on you to answer! We always have the same curiosities

Actually from what I have found so far, these dates range from 1730s into 1770s. I recall some years ago when it seems I had come across a number which had 1768. In discussion back about 2011 someone had one with 1606 and the VOC and you brought up a 1660 similar if I recall, and I believe that suggestion regarding talismanic numbers was more in place than these 18th century examples.
I had thoughts these might be issue dates, similar to the 'dump' coins for trade, but then found that regularly hilted cutlasses had these dates and balemarks, so they must have been issued to VOC sailors whether as individuals or rack, unclear on that.

As you note, Jasper will likely have good insight here and hopefully he will see this.

All the best,
Jim

M ELEY · 16th February 2014, 04:11 AM

I was perusing through my copy of Neumann's and saw several Dutch examples so marked. I'm going by memory, as I'm at work, but I think they were 1744, 1770 and 1768? These dates seem to always be the same, so perhaps they are simply the years of manufacture for those blades? As in, a large quantity being produced in that year? I really don't know anything when it comes to how the Dutch inventoried their swords.

I have a m1790 Dutch marinesabal with no markings, indicating (I'm told) exported example. Most Dutch swords of the latter 18th c. and beyond were heavily marked with numerous arsenal numbers and such. These earlier examples we are discussing are a puzzle, though-

15th February 2014, 04:31 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Hey Capn Mark! I knew I could count on you to answer! We always have the same curiosities Actually from what I have found so far, these dates range from 1730s into 1770s. I recall some years ago when it seems I had come across a number which had 1768. In discussion back about 2011 someone had one with 1606 and the VOC and you brought up a 1660 similar if I recall, and I believe that suggestion regarding talismanic numbers was more in place than these 18th century examples. I had thoughts these might be issue dates, similar to the 'dump' coins for trade, but then found that regularly hilted cutlasses had these dates and balemarks, so they must have been issued to VOC sailors whether as individuals or rack, unclear on that. As you note, Jasper will likely have good insight here and hopefully he will see this. All the best, Jim

16th February 2014, 04:11 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	I was perusing through my copy of Neumann's and saw several Dutch examples so marked. I'm going by memory, as I'm at work, but I think they were 1744, 1770 and 1768? These dates seem to always be the same, so perhaps they are simply the years of manufacture for those blades? As in, a large quantity being produced in that year? I really don't know anything when it comes to how the Dutch inventoried their swords. I have a m1790 Dutch marinesabal with no markings, indicating (I'm told) exported example. Most Dutch swords of the latter 18th c. and beyond were heavily marked with numerous arsenal numbers and such. These earlier examples we are discussing are a puzzle, though-