Toledo or Solingen marks

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by cornelistromp

see post 19 for the mens head mark in

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=13339


best
jasper

Jasper,
Thank you so much for this input on the 'men head'.I was looking for kings heads and Moors heads but without that term could not find this. The image of this mark from Solingen I recall seeing in Gyngell (as shown) but again had not thought of it.

*I accidentally edited instead of quoting in previous entry.

Jim

[Jim McDougall]

In other research, passim, I just came across an interesting aside here.
Apparantly the term 'brock' was used for the bog iron used in Solingen, and whether by design or coincidence one of the 'old' sword making families in Solingen was that of the name BRACH.

[mariusgmioc]

At position 81 of the Sevillan museum (see the link from Fernando's posting) is a rapier by Heinrich Brach with a very similar blade.

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

In other research, passim, I just came across an interesting aside here.
Apparantly the term 'brock' was used for the bog iron used in Solingen, and whether by design or coincidence one of the 'old' sword making families in Solingen was that of the name BRACH.

It may be a pure coincidence but I think that in this case is more than that. Many old European family names, in different languages and cultures, derive from a profession that was practiced by an earlier patriarch of the family (like Smith or Miller for example) . So I wouldn't be surprised if it were the case with the Brach's as well.

PS: At position 81 in the catalogue of the Sevillan museum is a rapier by Heinrich Brach.

[Triarii]

Resurrecting this thread after a Google search.

I've acquired an early C17th English riding sword (pictures when I've cleaned it up a bit) with a 33" backsword blade. Very similar hilt to the swords attributed to Governors John Carver and John Thompson held in Pilgrim Hall, Massachusetts and one held in The Commandery, Worcester, UK.

The double fullered blade is stamped IOHANNES BRACH with the familiar anchor symbol in each fuller and across the fullers ANNO 1614.

Does anyone have any information on him - presumably properly spelt Johannes Brach. He's mentioned in passing in the Wallace Collection guide regarding a sword held elsewhere but nothing else.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Triarii

Resurrecting this thread after a Google search.

I've acquired an early C17th English riding sword (pictures when I've cleaned it up a bit) with a 33" backsword blade. Very similar hilt to the swords attributed to Governors John Carver and John Thompson held in Pilgrim Hall, Massachusetts and one held in The Commandery, Worcester, UK.

The double fullered blade is stamped IOHANNES BRACH with the familiar anchor symbol in each fuller and across the fullers ANNO 1614.

Does anyone have any information on him - presumably properly spelt Johannes Brach. He's mentioned in passing in the Wallace Collection guide regarding a sword held elsewhere but nothing else.

Can you post pics of this sword. Sounds interesting.
In my post #2 it seems I mentioned a Johannes Brach of this family from c.1620s+ so would be in proper time period.

[Triarii]

Some photos. I've been busy cleaning it up today so more when its finished.

[fernando]

A truly valuable sword indeed. No smith's mark ?