Seeking Help with Blade Marks

fernando · 1st May 2016, 03:10 PM

Excelent shot Jasper but ... do you mean to say those are (all) the letters inscribed in Cathey's blade ?

cornelistromp · 5th May 2016, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

Excelent shot Jasper but ... do you mean to say those are (all) the letters inscribed in Cathey's blade ?

Hi Fernando,
yes I read IX XINI

best,

fernando · 5th May 2016, 04:38 PM

Duly noted, Jasper.

MVG

Cathey · 7th May 2016, 01:11 AM

Good morning

Firstly my apologies for not responding to my own post sooner, however I have been extremely time poor of late.

Jim, I have attached close ups of Anchor mark for you, and the more I look at this sword the more I agree it has a cut down rapier blade.

Richard, how did you know my eyesight is not as good as it was? I must confess my translation of the letter was my best guess. I am more than happy to explore the possibility that the inscription is xx LS x XISI xx.

Jasper, if the letters are IX XINI, would that make the blade Italian (Sicily) do you think?

Cheers Cathey and Rex

Jim McDougall · 7th May 2016, 05:00 PM

Hi Cathey,
Thank you for the added look at the anchor, which is heavier and more blockish than Spanish examples used in 16th to early 17th c. While some authorities on Spanish swords consider the 'anchor' a Solingen convention, the rapier with blade from the prominent Alonso Perez with his distinctive anchor at the fuller terminals was found on the 'Atocha' wreck.
The Atocha went down in the Florida Keys in 1622.
Perez worked 1570s to c. 1625.

The association with the inscribed Latin words to Malta and the mention of Sicilian rule really do not, in my opinion, suggest this to be an Italian blade. Actually I am not aware of blades made in Sicily, but it is sometimes confusing as Sicily was typically ruled along with predominant states on the Italian mainland.
As Jasper has noted, The Knights of St. John (I believe also known as the Knights of Malta), ruled Malta. The Knights of St John interestingly were also well situated in Solingen.
That puts this blade nicely in place with this term, and the building of this tower in 1661 seems in period with these blades.

The neoclassic hilt of mid to later 18th century reminds me of French forms I have seen, and it is to wonder if perhaps this was a heirloom blade with connections to someone well connected in these orders.

7th May 2016, 01:11 AM	#4
Cathey Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: adelaide south australia Posts: 284	Apologies for my tardiness Good morning Firstly my apologies for not responding to my own post sooner, however I have been extremely time poor of late. Jim, I have attached close ups of Anchor mark for you, and the more I look at this sword the more I agree it has a cut down rapier blade. Richard, how did you know my eyesight is not as good as it was? I must confess my translation of the letter was my best guess. I am more than happy to explore the possibility that the inscription is xx LS x XISI xx. Jasper, if the letters are IX XINI, would that make the blade Italian (Sicily) do you think? Cheers Cathey and Rex Attached Images

1st May 2016, 03:10 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Excelent shot Jasper but ... do you mean to say those are (all) the letters inscribed in Cathey's blade ?

5th May 2016, 04:38 PM	#3
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Duly noted, Jasper. MVG

7th May 2016, 05:00 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,190	Hi Cathey, Thank you for the added look at the anchor, which is heavier and more blockish than Spanish examples used in 16th to early 17th c. While some authorities on Spanish swords consider the 'anchor' a Solingen convention, the rapier with blade from the prominent Alonso Perez with his distinctive anchor at the fuller terminals was found on the 'Atocha' wreck. The Atocha went down in the Florida Keys in 1622. Perez worked 1570s to c. 1625. The association with the inscribed Latin words to Malta and the mention of Sicilian rule really do not, in my opinion, suggest this to be an Italian blade. Actually I am not aware of blades made in Sicily, but it is sometimes confusing as Sicily was typically ruled along with predominant states on the Italian mainland. As Jasper has noted, The Knights of St. John (I believe also known as the Knights of Malta), ruled Malta. The Knights of St John interestingly were also well situated in Solingen. That puts this blade nicely in place with this term, and the building of this tower in 1661 seems in period with these blades. The neoclassic hilt of mid to later 18th century reminds me of French forms I have seen, and it is to wonder if perhaps this was a heirloom blade with connections to someone well connected in these orders.