Luristan bronze sword

kronckew · 7th October 2025, 04:28 AM

Acquired this recently, described as a Luristan bronze sword. It has a grip with a face on the pommel and on the bolster. Fairly thin, prominant raised central rib, not sharp.

I suspect it may not be original, but i'd like confirmation one way or another.

ausjulius · 7th October 2025, 08:29 AM

id say that's a fake one for sure.

Lee · 7th October 2025, 02:58 PM

I will flip through a few books I have and see if I find any similar forms - it doesn't bring up any memories. The patina can provide some clues: pale green and "powdery" is suspicious; darker green and crystalline supports hopefulness.

Here is the surface of a 3000 year old Luristan bronze dagger that clearly has seen some cleaning:

kronckew · 7th October 2025, 04:28 PM

The sword seems to have a mix of colours, the grip is mostly a worn shiny black, especially on the side opposite the faces. Parts of the blade you can see the bronze colour under the start of a shined brownish oxidation, there are ares that look like chrome polish was used to clean it, white residue.

kronckew · 7th October 2025, 05:17 PM

More photos:

kronckew · 7th October 2025, 05:19 PM

More More:

Lee · 7th October 2025, 10:01 PM

The formation of the masks on the hilt is quite different in style and orientation from examples I could find in my limited library. I had thought the very narrow midrib and its termination unlikely, but I found a very similar, though better executed, example on a long dagger in Khorasani's massive tome on Iranian arms. Worrisome that the patina stays the same over areas of the midrib that appear deeply scraped.

Oliver Pinchot · 8th October 2025, 10:19 PM

Almost certainly a tourist item.

Ian · 10th October 2025, 09:46 AM

Wayne, I'm going to join the chorus of those who think this is a decorative item made well within the last century, and has been "manipulated' to appear older. I won't discuss the features that are "wrong" on this one because those who make these deceptive versions can adapt their methods to overcome flaws in their work. Let's just say the patina and wear with age are unconvincing.

7th October 2025, 04:28 AM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,259	Luristan bronze sword Acquired this recently, described as a Luristan bronze sword. It has a grip with a face on the pommel and on the bolster. Fairly thin, prominant raised central rib, not sharp. I suspect it may not be original, but i'd like confirmation one way or another. Attached Images

7th October 2025, 02:58 PM	#3
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 967	I will flip through a few books I have and see if I find any similar forms - it doesn't bring up any memories. The patina can provide some clues: pale green and "powdery" is suspicious; darker green and crystalline supports hopefulness. Here is the surface of a 3000 year old Luristan bronze dagger that clearly has seen some cleaning: Attached Images

7th October 2025, 04:28 PM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,259	The sword seems to have a mix of colours, the grip is mostly a worn shiny black, especially on the side opposite the faces. Parts of the blade you can see the bronze colour under the start of a shined brownish oxidation, there are ares that look like chrome polish was used to clean it, white residue. Attached Images

7th October 2025, 05:17 PM	#5
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,259	More photos: Attached Images

7th October 2025, 05:19 PM	#6
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,259	More More: Attached Images

7th October 2025, 08:29 AM	#2
ausjulius Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: musorian territory Posts: 474	id say that's a fake one for sure.

7th October 2025, 10:01 PM	#7
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 967	The formation of the masks on the hilt is quite different in style and orientation from examples I could find in my limited library. I had thought the very narrow midrib and its termination unlikely, but I found a very similar, though better executed, example on a long dagger in Khorasani's massive tome on Iranian arms. Worrisome that the patina stays the same over areas of the midrib that appear deeply scraped.

8th October 2025, 10:19 PM	#8
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 470	Almost certainly a tourist item.

10th October 2025, 09:46 AM	#9
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,509	Wayne, I'm going to join the chorus of those who think this is a decorative item made well within the last century, and has been "manipulated' to appear older. I won't discuss the features that are "wrong" on this one because those who make these deceptive versions can adapt their methods to overcome flaws in their work. Let's just say the patina and wear with age are unconvincing.