Excellent analysis, Ibrahiim! The combination of a quality and a talismanic effect is a powerful symbol. Thus the individual smith "signed" his work that he incorporated these qualities into the blade. That provides a much deeper meaning.
Miguel, I assume that the various smiths shared available punches to create their own version of the 40 as their individual signature. I've noticed the use of different sized/profiled punches to make the marks and could assume that the blade (or a set of similarly marked blades) was made at different place and/or time. If we had enough data it may be possible to better show blade provenance based on the physical qualities of the different maker's marks we encounter.
Best,
Ed
|