Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

ariel · 17th January 2009, 03:19 AM

I do not know the age of this sword.
I suspect it to be 18-19th century.
The "China" comment was in jest: there are differences between the 2 examples and this is understandable, since they are not "mass-produced".
No, repeat: no, I do not think it was made in China.
Mine is very heavy and the blade is strange: when polished, it suggests a " damascus-like" pattern, but nothing obvious is revealed with etching. Perhaps, I am overdoing it? The pattern may be so subtle and small-grained, that my clumsy attempts with very diluted ferric oxide or even vinegar are masking it.
Or, it may just be plain steel...

17th January 2009, 03:19 AM	#6
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I do not know the age of this sword. I suspect it to be 18-19th century. The "China" comment was in jest: there are differences between the 2 examples and this is understandable, since they are not "mass-produced". No, repeat: no, I do not think it was made in China. Mine is very heavy and the blade is strange: when polished, it suggests a " damascus-like" pattern, but nothing obvious is revealed with etching. Perhaps, I am overdoing it? The pattern may be so subtle and small-grained, that my clumsy attempts with very diluted ferric oxide or even vinegar are masking it. Or, it may just be plain steel...