English Short Sword

celtan · 20th October 2009, 08:13 PM

Wow, look all that went on while I was away! Guys, I'm humbled by the results of your joint effort. I'm also ashamed, I plumb forgot to check Old Sword's database.

I guess I deserve to be whipped with a wet noodle...

BTW, I read somewhere that there were no sword makers in Covent Garden, just retailers.

Compared to the sword at Old Swords, mine is almost in relic state. Very little remains of the etched panel, and the fish-skin grip is in poor condition.

Well, it is said that the thrill is in the hunt. Tally Ho, & Kudos to you all !

: )

M

Atlantia · 21st October 2009, 10:46 AM

Hi Manuel,

The Tower have been back in contact this morn:

"Reviewing it all the morning after – can I check – is your friend’s example yellow metal or white (I had it in my head as yellow, but all the other evidence is for white metal examples). I am chary about the Customs service identification – just because it is so different from the other customs’ swords. I’d like a bit more concrete evidence. Also from dim memory of the NMM (I started off there), the customs service is more often allied to the Navy than the Army, but it keeps changing its allegiance throughout the 18th & 19th C – however I am no expert in the field – hence do contact Liverpool. I would try Houses of Parliament too – if only to exclude the option.

I will keep an eye out for more info – although I paddle more along the muddy streams of Tower history nowadays. Please let us know if your researches expose more concrete evidence. Good hunting"

The mounts ARE Bronze aren't they?

celtan · 21st October 2009, 06:18 PM

Hi Guys!

G: I can't say if its bronze, I need to get back home and check. I do remember the hilt's shade is kinda' dark-yellowish, compared to the blade.
OTOH, I remember a hilt of silimlar shade becoming gray, once the oily residues were cleansed away with a solvent.

Below, more pics from a web-based photo depot, just click on the thumbs.:

Atlantia · 21st October 2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celtan

Hi Guys!

G: I can't say if its bronze, I need to get back home and check. I do remember the hilt's shade is kinda' dark-yellowish, compared to the blade.
OTOH, I remember a hilt of silimlar shade becoming gray, once the oily residues were cleansed away with a solvent.

Below, more pics from a web-based photo depot, just click on the thumbs.:

OK, let me know as soon as you're sure, I'll email her and tell her.
They do look bronze in the pics.

Dmitry · 22nd October 2009, 12:38 AM

It's a strange-looking bird. The grip is reminiscent of the Scottish regulation grips ca.1850-1890s, while the cross-guard is of French style. Blade looks like a giant Sheffield dirk blade, with a long ricasso, and rhomboid in cross-section.

Atlantia · 22nd October 2009, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Hi Manuel,

The Tower have been back in contact this morn:

"Reviewing it all the morning after – can I check – is your friend’s example yellow metal or white (I had it in my head as yellow, but all the other evidence is for white metal examples). I am chary about the Customs service identification – just because it is so different from the other customs’ swords. I’d like a bit more concrete evidence. Also from dim memory of the NMM (I started off there), the customs service is more often allied to the Navy than the Army, but it keeps changing its allegiance throughout the 18th & 19th C – however I am no expert in the field – hence do contact Liverpool. I would try Houses of Parliament too – if only to exclude the option.

I will keep an eye out for more info – although I paddle more along the muddy streams of Tower history nowadays. Please let us know if your researches expose more concrete evidence. Good hunting"

The mounts ARE Bronze aren't they?

BTW: I take it that when our friend uses the ab': 'NMM' she refers to the National Maritime Museum.

katana · 23rd October 2009, 02:16 AM

Just to 'echo' Jim's sentiments....It's been great to see such collaboration and community spirit ......keep up the good work guys

All the best
David

celtan · 23rd October 2009, 02:17 PM

Yep, I agree Katana. It is fun!

BTW G, just polished a small section of the cross-guard, the yellowish tinge was indeed due to patina/oily residues. The hilt is made of white metal.

Take care y'all

: )

M

Atlantia · 23rd October 2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celtan

Yep, I agree Katana. It is fun!

BTW G, just polished a small section of the cross-guard, the yellowish tinge was indeed due to patina/oily residues. The hilt is made of white metal.

Take care y'all

: )

M

Bloody hell! Well there's a suprise! I'll let our friend know.

celtan · 23rd October 2009, 06:18 PM

G,

I so much envy your access to civilized museums...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Bloody hell! Well there's a suprise! I'll let our friend know.

20th October 2009, 08:13 PM	#1
celtan Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PR, USA Posts: 679	Wow, look all that went on while I was away! Guys, I'm humbled by the results of your joint effort. I'm also ashamed, I plumb forgot to check Old Sword's database. I guess I deserve to be whipped with a wet noodle... BTW, I read somewhere that there were no sword makers in Covent Garden, just retailers. Compared to the sword at Old Swords, mine is almost in relic state. Very little remains of the etched panel, and the fish-skin grip is in poor condition. Well, it is said that the thrill is in the hunt. Tally Ho, & Kudos to you all ! : ) M

21st October 2009, 10:46 AM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hi Manuel, The Tower have been back in contact this morn: "Reviewing it all the morning after – can I check – is your friend’s example yellow metal or white (I had it in my head as yellow, but all the other evidence is for white metal examples). I am chary about the Customs service identification – just because it is so different from the other customs’ swords. I’d like a bit more concrete evidence. Also from dim memory of the NMM (I started off there), the customs service is more often allied to the Navy than the Army, but it keeps changing its allegiance throughout the 18th & 19th C – however I am no expert in the field – hence do contact Liverpool. I would try Houses of Parliament too – if only to exclude the option. I will keep an eye out for more info – although I paddle more along the muddy streams of Tower history nowadays. Please let us know if your researches expose more concrete evidence. Good hunting" The mounts ARE Bronze aren't they?

21st October 2009, 06:18 PM	#3
celtan Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PR, USA Posts: 679	Hi Guys! G: I can't say if its bronze, I need to get back home and check. I do remember the hilt's shade is kinda' dark-yellowish, compared to the blade. OTOH, I remember a hilt of silimlar shade becoming gray, once the oily residues were cleansed away with a solvent. Below, more pics from a web-based photo depot, just click on the thumbs.:

22nd October 2009, 12:38 AM	#5
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	It's a strange-looking bird. The grip is reminiscent of the Scottish regulation grips ca.1850-1890s, while the cross-guard is of French style. Blade looks like a giant Sheffield dirk blade, with a long ricasso, and rhomboid in cross-section.

23rd October 2009, 02:16 AM	#7
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Just to 'echo' Jim's sentiments....It's been great to see such collaboration and community spirit ......keep up the good work guys All the best David

23rd October 2009, 02:17 PM	#8
celtan Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PR, USA Posts: 679	Yep, I agree Katana. It is fun! BTW G, just polished a small section of the cross-guard, the yellowish tinge was indeed due to patina/oily residues. The hilt is made of white metal. Take care y'all : ) M