FIRANGI FOR COMMENTS

[Lew]

Originally Posted by ariel

Are we sure the blade is European? Locals everywhere put "European" markings, often mangled ones, on their blades. Likely, a matter of upping the price.
I am wondering whether squiggly markings here are not a local rendition of the "running wolf"....

Flavio

I took this description from Artzi's site.

The name ‘Firangi’ (Foreigner) was given to these swords in the 17 Century, as they were mounted with European (Foreign) blades, which were highly valued. Some blades were locally made in the European style. The blades were mounted on the ‘Khanda’ style hilt usually with the long spike extending from the pommel which allows the use of the sword as a two handed sword.

I does not really matter if the blade is locally made or European it is still considered a firangi style sword. You can find kaskara and tulwars with Euro blades that does not make it something else it is still a kaskara or a tulwar. It is very hard to tell the difference between Euro and good quailty local blades Indian smiths were highly skilled at their craft. I understand the semantics here with regard to blade origin but I think after careful study we must consider the general style the determining factor and not where the blade came from.

Lew

[ariel]

Lew is perfectly correct: no matter what, this sword is a true Firanghi.
Having said that, I still suspect the blade is local: the markings do not correspond to anything European I've seen and look somewhat crudely executed. The " running wolf" is a mark of Passau (later Solingen). Local everywhere in the world imitated it with imagination running wild.
Do not take me wrong: the quality of the "local" blade might have been better than the original.
Good sword!

[Flavio]

Originally Posted by ariel

Lew is perfectly correct: no matter what, this sword is a true Firanghi.
Having said that, I still suspect the blade is local: the markings do not correspond to anything European I've seen and look somewhat crudely executed. The " running wolf" is a mark of Passau (later Solingen). Local everywhere in the world imitated it with imagination running wild.
Do not take me wrong: the quality of the "local" blade might have been better than the original.
Good sword!

Thank you Lew and Ariel Ariel, no problem at all, and thank you for the explanation on the running wolf

[Jens Nordlunde]

Hi Flavio,

If this is you first firangi, you have chosen well. It is very nice and old as well. I like the blade, but especially I like the hilt, this was not made for parades, it was made for use. The decoration under the guard, is very nice. Imagine what it must have looked like when the decoration was intact.

Yes Lew is right, no matter where the blade was made, it is a firangi.

[Flavio]

Hi Jens , Thank you very much

[Flavio]

Hi all, sorry for this question, that could be stupid, but on the fews firangi that i have seen (on this forum, on ebay and on seller's sites) seems always, or in many cases, that he blades are over cleaned: this is due to the age (i mean cleaning through the years), to recent over cleaning or what? also mine shows a over cleaning (see the "running wolf" signs). Thank you

[Lew]

Flavio

Yes your blade looks be be a bit over cleaned you can tell by the fullers they have a tired appearance to them but it is still a good sword in good condition.
Over cleaning is an occupational hazard that we collectors must deal with. If your sword was all nasty and rusted you may not have bought and on the other hand if it were pristine you would have paid four times as much for it so in this way you have settled for the middle ground.

Lew