Mystery blade

Iliad · 31st December 2008, 06:35 AM

I'm glad to be able to provide the opportunity for research, also glad that somebody other than me is baffled.
I am pleased that Gavin hasn't seen this posting yet, he'll probably say that it was made in Spain in the 1970's!

Brian

Gavin Nugent · 31st December 2008, 11:22 AM

G'day Brian,

I have been watching, I'd say Spanish, 1970's....whoops thinking out loud with my fingers again.
Would you be kind enough to post all dimensions including the origial tang length. Although there are somewhat Chinese influences in style, (I have a trousse/chopper of a vaguely similar shape and a very long replaced handle), the bevelled cutting edges tell me otherwise, all Chinese weapons I have and have seen, taper to the cutting edge from the spine where as this one doesn't. One thing that does appear Chinese to me though is the notch out in the blade near the hilt, I have seen this cut out where a tonkou should be but no evidence that one was ever present

My guess is that it is a big bad bowie knife of an unknown age

As long as it is sharp and holds an edge, it is a valuable user, glad to see you have given it some life back with a new hilt.

Gav

Iliad · 31st December 2008, 08:46 PM

G'day Gav, I had thought that with the South Africans having thrashed, absolutely THRASHED Australia at cricket, you'd be in hiding!
The dimensions are: overall length 45cm; Blade length 29cm; tang length (best estimate) 13cm; blade width at widest point 7 cm; blade width at sawback point 4.5 cm.
Did I mention that South Africa SLAUGHTERED Australia at the cricket?
Oh, how the mighty have fallen!

Cheers, Brian

kahnjar1 · 31st December 2008, 11:52 PM

Slaughtered you say?? To keep things "European" since we are in that Forum, more like Hung, Drawn and Quartered I would say..............don't be too hard on the Aussies though as we (New Zealand) have to play them soon!!

This blade, although not yet identified could be useful then!

Gavin Nugent · 1st January 2009, 01:07 AM

Ouch!!!

Thanks for the dimensions Brian. I'll ask that the Aussies go easy on our ANZAC brothers when they play and we do need to give the rest of the world a chance in sport too, have to keep it interesting. Did I ever tell you that I only support two teams guys, Australia and who ever plays NZ

My thoughts tend to point to an American Bowie, I beleive if it was Chinese, that hilt would have been longer, therefore the tang too would have been longer. If it was mounted onto a pole I too think the tang would have been longer and it would have two holes in it. The 13cm tang in consistant with the current overall length of the object although the cut out still has me thrown off a little...Given the time Brian and if to taste, a nice oval brass disk guard and some deer horn antler slabs from those lovely deer you have running around over there would look "choice bro"

Here is a joke too Brian and Stu, one that you probably wouldn't hear unless you visited your west Island.
Why is NZ's national symbol a silver fern?
Because they can't win gold!

All the best neighbours.

Gav

Gavin Nugent · 1st January 2009, 02:28 AM

G'day Brian, here is an image for comparison of a Chinese chopper,cleaver or trousse. Overall 44.5 cms, hilt 17cms, blade 5cms wide at the hilt, 9cms at the widest point, distal taper from the spine to the cutting edge, spine being a 1/4 inch thick.

Gav

Atlantia · 1st January 2009, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freebooter

G'day Brian, here is an image for comparison of a Chinese chopper,cleaver or trousse. Overall 44.5 cms, hilt 17cms, blade 5cms wide at the hilt, 9cms at the widest point, distal taper from the spine to the cutting edge, spine being a 1/4 inch thick.

Gav

Well, thats a great find Gav!
So there are a family of shorter blades of this shape.
Well, thats a great example to follow for a simple oriental restoration for this one.

Simple carved handle, doesn't have to be as elaborate as the one in your pic. little brass collar. Varnish it to give it that chinese look. Water based so you use nice thin coats and can stop it looking too 'fresh off the boat'.

What do you think Brian? This threads turned out to be quite good!

kahnjar1 · 1st January 2009, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freebooter

Ouch!!!

Thanks for the dimensions Brian. I'll ask that the Aussies go easy on our ANZAC brothers when they play and we do need to give the rest of the world a chance in sport too, have to keep it interesting. Did I ever tell you that I only support two teams guys, Australia and who ever plays NZ

My thoughts tend to point to an American Bowie, I beleive if it was Chinese, that hilt would have been longer, therefore the tang too would have been longer. If it was mounted onto a pole I too think the tang would have been longer and it would have two holes in it. The 13cm tang in consistant with the current overall length of the object although the cut out still has me thrown off a little...Given the time Brian and if to taste, a nice oval brass disk guard and some deer horn antler slabs from those lovely deer you have running around over there would look "choice bro"

Here is a joke too Brian and Stu, one that you probably wouldn't hear unless you visited your west Island.
Why is NZ's national symbol a silver fern?
Because they can't win gold!

All the best neighbours.

Gav

Sorry Gav but I can't let that one go without a response!! Australia thinks its colours are green and gold, but we all know its actually yellow--not gold

katana · 1st January 2009, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freebooter

Ouch!!!

My thoughts tend to point to an American Bowie, I beleive if it was Chinese, that hilt would have been longer, therefore the tang too would have been longer. If it was mounted onto a pole I too think the tang would have been longer and it would have two holes in it. The 13cm tang in consistant with the current overall length of the object although the cut out still has me thrown off a little...Given the time Brian and if to taste, a nice oval brass disk guard and some deer horn antler slabs from those lovely deer you have running around over there would look "choice bro"

Gav

With the massive influx of Chinese migrant workers into America during the building of the railways, 19th C .....could this be a 'Chinese' inspired Bowie.....would certainly 'tie up' the 'loose ends'..

Regards David

31st December 2008, 11:22 AM	#2
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Haha, I have been watching G'day Brian, I have been watching, I'd say Spanish, 1970's....whoops thinking out loud with my fingers again. Would you be kind enough to post all dimensions including the origial tang length. Although there are somewhat Chinese influences in style, (I have a trousse/chopper of a vaguely similar shape and a very long replaced handle), the bevelled cutting edges tell me otherwise, all Chinese weapons I have and have seen, taper to the cutting edge from the spine where as this one doesn't. One thing that does appear Chinese to me though is the notch out in the blade near the hilt, I have seen this cut out where a tonkou should be but no evidence that one was ever present My guess is that it is a big bad bowie knife of an unknown age As long as it is sharp and holds an edge, it is a valuable user, glad to see you have given it some life back with a new hilt. Gav Last edited by freebooter; 31st December 2008 at 11:33 AM.

1st January 2009, 01:07 AM	#5
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Ouch!! Ouch!!! Thanks for the dimensions Brian. I'll ask that the Aussies go easy on our ANZAC brothers when they play and we do need to give the rest of the world a chance in sport too, have to keep it interesting. Did I ever tell you that I only support two teams guys, Australia and who ever plays NZ My thoughts tend to point to an American Bowie, I beleive if it was Chinese, that hilt would have been longer, therefore the tang too would have been longer. If it was mounted onto a pole I too think the tang would have been longer and it would have two holes in it. The 13cm tang in consistant with the current overall length of the object although the cut out still has me thrown off a little...Given the time Brian and if to taste, a nice oval brass disk guard and some deer horn antler slabs from those lovely deer you have running around over there would look "choice bro" Here is a joke too Brian and Stu, one that you probably wouldn't hear unless you visited your west Island. Why is NZ's national symbol a silver fern? Because they can't win gold! All the best neighbours. Gav Last edited by freebooter; 1st January 2009 at 03:32 AM.

1st January 2009, 02:28 AM	#6
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Image for comparison G'day Brian, here is an image for comparison of a Chinese chopper,cleaver or trousse. Overall 44.5 cms, hilt 17cms, blade 5cms wide at the hilt, 9cms at the widest point, distal taper from the spine to the cutting edge, spine being a 1/4 inch thick. Gav Attached Images

31st December 2008, 06:35 AM	#1
Iliad Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 187	I'm glad to be able to provide the opportunity for research, also glad that somebody other than me is baffled. I am pleased that Gavin hasn't seen this posting yet, he'll probably say that it was made in Spain in the 1970's! Brian

31st December 2008, 08:46 PM	#3
Iliad Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 187	G'day Gav, I had thought that with the South Africans having thrashed, absolutely THRASHED Australia at cricket, you'd be in hiding! The dimensions are: overall length 45cm; Blade length 29cm; tang length (best estimate) 13cm; blade width at widest point 7 cm; blade width at sawback point 4.5 cm. Did I mention that South Africa SLAUGHTERED Australia at the cricket? Oh, how the mighty have fallen! Cheers, Brian

31st December 2008, 11:52 PM	#4
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,786	Slaughtered you say?? To keep things "European" since we are in that Forum, more like Hung, Drawn and Quartered I would say..............don't be too hard on the Aussies though as we (New Zealand) have to play them soon!! This blade, although not yet identified could be useful then!