Received sword today. Very disappointed... the blade was slightly bent and I was able to straighten it using my fingers.!!!
The blade has to be made of MILD steel, tempered or hardened steel would not have been so easy.
It does have balance, but no sharpened edge, so no 'cut and thrust' ....just the 'thrust'.
So, unless un-tempered blades were commonplace/used this has to be a 'tourist' or copy.
Shame, because other than that it would be an interesting sword.
Please if you have any comments about the above, post them....thankyou.
ADDED INFORMATION. Since posting, I have given the sword a closer inspection, I am now certain this is no 'Tourist' piece... too much 'attention to detail'. The blade geometry looks right...and there is more 'spring' in the blade, than I realised...which (IMHO) leaves several possibilities.
1. It is some sort of dress sword or a sword of office/status
2. The blade has been 'over worked' and its lost it's temper during the heating/quenching process (unlikely)
3. I am totally wrong
(more likely
)