Do you think this is a genuine 1600 AD Knight's sword??

[katana]

Originally Posted by Mark Bowditch

I think enough has been said about this sword, and I see the thread drifting in an unproductive direction.

If you have information or insight that might help date the blade, please do share this with the forum, but there is no good purpose to speculation, and even less to mockery.

Thank you.

Point taken Mark.
However, with the increasing number of fraudulent and colourful listings put on eBay, discussions like this can be highly informative.
If the comments and ideas help members in spotting these listings and prevent mistakes being made then I feel its serving a purpose.

[Lee]

Originally Posted by katana

However, with the increasing number of fraudulent and colourful listings put on eBay, discussions like this can be highly informative. If the comments and ideas help members in spotting these listings and prevent mistakes being made then I feel its serving a purpose.

The trick, of course, is avoiding implied accusations against sellers who have been so identified. I suspect lack of specialized expertise compounded with wishful thinking is the most common cause of many of the 'colourful' descriptions. However, outright fraud is also entirely too prevalent these days.

I have dabbled in collecting European medieval swords for the last two decades. I have been fortunate to acquire a few genuine ones and have also been taken in by some fakes. I have had the opportunity to handle many more and to converse with collectors far more experienced than myself.

Anyone contemplating collecting European medieval swords these days needs to realize the perils. It is my observation and opinion that the majority of swords of this style in the marketplace today are younger than I am. I am also of the opinion that the fakes are getting more sophisticated and also that they are creeping into and contaminating the best venues. If you aspire to collect these things, see as many genuine examples as possible, never spend significant money without a 'hands-on' examination and, if you have the least suspicion you are in over your head, seek independent expert advice before commiting to a purchase.

[Ian]

Katana -- you have a PM

Ian (two of three)

[Mark]

Originally Posted by katana

Point taken Mark.
However, with the increasing number of fraudulent and colourful listings put on eBay, discussions like this can be highly informative.
If the comments and ideas help members in spotting these listings and prevent mistakes being made then I feel its serving a purpose.

You are correct, Katana, which is why the I encouraged people to offer constructive comments about the blade, condition, perhaps warning signs, etc. What should be left out are comments that may be interpreted as being directed to the honesty, integrity, etc. of particular sellers. We are a scholarly forum, not an investigative watchdog.

Speaking from the point of view of a personal collector, I am of two minds regarding pointing out specific ways that a reproduction, aged or not, does not match a genuine article. While it is very helpful in spotting a reproduction and avoiding a costly mistake, it also gives an unscrupulous person desiring to fake an antique exactly the information they need to perfect their products. There is no easy answer to this conflict, but personally I am falling on the side of keeping that sort of information in private communications.

[katana]

[QUOTE=Mark Bowditch] While it is very helpful in spotting a reproduction and avoiding a costly mistake, it also gives an unscrupulous person desiring to fake an antique exactly the information they need to perfect their products. QUOTE]

Excellent observation........one I hadn't considered