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Old 12th July 2009, 05:14 PM   #8
cornelistromp
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Hi Fernando,

unfortunately it is not possible to deliver hard evidence that your blade is Dutch or Portuguese , maybe the other marks can give the outcome.


Mr JP Puype the predecessor of Mr Harm Stevens mentioned in his Dutch sword publication. Blanke wapens p.50 afb.46
....the star-shaped cavity which is almost exclusively found on Dutch sword blades

it is a fact that the paternoster has been frequently used on late 17thC and early 18thC Dutch small swords. those blades are also often signed with the full name of the Dutch maker and the sword shop's address.
there are 100's of examples in collections and museums.

there was a huge export from the Dutch Republic to Portugal in the 17th and 18thC.
already in 1640 the Dutch republic delivered for the Portuguese war against Spain;
24.000 muskets, 4.500 calivers, 5000 carbines, 1000 pairs of pistols and 5000 pikes, 360.000 pounds of gunpowder.
It is possible that the examples of later 18thC small swords you have listed
have been mounted with Dutch blades or are 100% imported and Dutch.
of course it is also possible that Portuguese sword smiths adapted/copied the paternoster on their blades. the paternoster disappeared after approx 1750
in Holland ,the swords you have listed are of a later date.

taking above into consideration it is more likely that your sword blade can be Dutch.

best regards
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