20th October 2008, 02:11 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,718
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In ‘Damaszener Stahl’ by Manfred Sachse, the author, on page 79 and 81 quotes someone called Crivelli, who in 1823 wrote that a good watered blade, in Turkey, could cost from 7-8500 Reichthaler. What is even more interesting is, that he also gives the value of 1 Reichthaler as the value of about 25g silver. Good blades were not only expensive, they were very expensive – another good reason for using them for many generations.
To compare how fast the value of good weapons can drop, on can read what Moser paid for some of his swords – a bottle of snaps. Moser’s collection is now at the Historisches Museum, Bern, Switzerland - but not on exhibition. The weapons were collected from end of 19th century to beginning of 20th century. |
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