European sword? eyelash stamp, victorian copy ????

[Jim McDougall]

Excellent catch Fernando!!!!
Naturally following the 'too good to be true' axiom, it is hard to accurately assess this remarkable example as authentic without hands on handling, and even then there times when even the experts can be wrong. Look for example at the numbers of weapons and armor displayed for generations at the Higgjns Museum in Massachusetts.

The addition of that eyelash stamp would reveal an uncanny attention to detail not typically done by artisans creating reproductions of authentic pieces in the Victorian to modern era, at least as far as I have known. The only maker of reproductions I have known well personally, made them so well that he typically placed his own mark strategically so they would not be presented as authentic. However, many dealers unfortunately removed these for obvious reasons.

"Armi Bianche Italiene" by Boccia & Coelho (1975) is a relatively obscure book it seems IMO, among the sword collecting community. It is a huge volume, in Italian of course and from the initial release prohibitively expensive. I recall many years ago I reeled at the cost (then).
I recall a visit years ago by an author friend who was researching an Italian sword, and gasped when he saw I had this!
Naturally this volume in the hands of a skilled deceiver would be most dangerous.

If someone was fashioning a recreation for artistic or appreciation purposes, why would such a detail as the mark be necessary?
It is truly a dilemma, but most attractive example in any case.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

...
"Armi Bianche Italiene" by Boccia & Coelho (1975) is a relatively obscure book it seems IMO, among the sword collecting community. It is a huge volume, in Italian of course and from the initial release prohibitively expensive. I recall many years ago I reeled at the cost (then)...

What i like most in this work is that its co-author Jorge Coelho is one of the greatest Portuguese illustrators . I was given a special edition of the book without the marks part. What i struggled to get them; again a gift .

[cornelistromp]

unfortunatly it is not Victorian but a recent reproduction or copy made by an Italian blacksmith, probably made around 2020.
I still saved a photo from Facebook

[kronckew]

Interesting, Corneli, but no marking on THAT blade. Maybe someone has a proper reference link to help prove your date comment?


I agree with Jim.

[Radboud]

Originally Posted by kronckew

Interesting, Corneli, but no marking on THAT blade. Maybe someone has a proper reference link to help prove your date comment?
I agree with Jim.

We’d need to see both sides of Phil’s sword before we can discount it being the same one in Cornelistromp’s photo.

On the face of it there are differences in the guard that indicate that it’s not the same sword, however if its a recent production there’s nothing to say this isn’t one of a series.

[fernando]

Well ... what do you know !

[phil.reid]

Originally Posted by cornelistromp

unfortunatly it is not Victorian but a recent reproduction or copy made by an Italian blacksmith, probably made around 2020.
I still saved a photo from Facebook

I'm thinking this is same Smith, not upset as bought it under assumption it was a good copy.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by fernando

What i like most in this work is that its co-author Jorge Coelho is one of the greatest Portuguese illustrators . I was given a special edition of the book without the marks part. What i struggled to get them; again a gift .

I had no idea about Mr. Coelho being Portuguese, and how incredible to have a special edition of this very obscure reference (as I have noted).........your copy is a virtual treasure Fernando!