The pictures take a while; I never saw the end of the socket before. It seems thicker than proper; is it flanged from being beaten upon? Is it folded-over to the in side? Or is it straight-up just that thick? Anyway, the socket, especially the inside, is where you'll either likely see casting lines, or a forging line where it was rolled up, and maybe a tanglike nub from the blade-base. I personally think I may see a casting line disapearing into that shadow. I, too, suspect a casting, late 19th/early 20th, and moreso with that thick socket end, but I'm not sure. How old is the break at the tip? it does not look sharpened? Is there crystalize "grain" visible? Ie pebbly surface? Is there delamination/layers visible here or anywhere?
|