Gurade sword with nice french blade

francantolin · 27th May 2021, 09:03 PM

Hello dear members,

I wanted to share with you the pictures of this ethiopian gurade sword,
made with a french blade,
Manufacture Impériale de Chatellerault 1856 Cavallerie mod 1829,

the blade was rusty/ almost black,
I cleaned it/ sand it a little it , a nice pattern ''came out'',
I haven't seen a lot of european military blades with this kind of damas steel,
not usual !
am I right ?

Gonzoadler · 27th May 2021, 09:20 PM

Hello,

I'm not sure if it is damascus, I think the steel is just folded for refinement.
The hilt is made of rhino horn.
Good sword.

Regards
Robin

David R · 27th May 2021, 10:04 PM

Until "fluid cast steel" became common, most if not all blade making involved a certain amount of folding and hammering. Shear steel was a the norm for a decent blade for a very long time. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dict...Dshear%20steel

Will M · 28th May 2021, 02:41 AM

The odd appearance of the blade surface is from corrosion. Water trapped with the blade in a scabbard does exactly this. It can become fairly deep and you will continue to see it even after later use without a scabbard. Originally the blade was polished and water would puddle making this type of pattern for lack of a better term . These French blades are not folded steel.

Duccio · 28th May 2021, 10:15 AM

The blade is certainly very beautiful and interesting, but I like to emphasize the beauty of the hilt and the fact that it is in perfect condition, which happens very rarely!
Congratulations, a truly beautiful object.

francantolin · 28th May 2021, 11:12 AM

Hello,

Thank you all for your messages,
I'm not sure about damascus but I don't think humidity and water can make this ''pattern'' so deeply ''engraved'' in the blade,
I sanded it ( 400 and 600 grain ) and it's still like that
as David said I think it has a high carbon amount and was folded and hammered many times.

For the hilt, a nice surprise, ( with a nice knob)
a chief leader sword ?

Kind regards

Iain · 28th May 2021, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by francantolin

Hello,

Thank you all for your messages,
I'm not sure about damascus but I don't think humidity and water can make this ''pattern'' so deeply ''engraved'' in the blade,
I sanded it ( 400 and 600 grain ) and it's still like that
as David said I think it has a high carbon amount and was folded and hammered many times

Kind regards

Water can and does make this sort of corrosion, seen it many times from storage in poor conditions in leather scabbards.

A nice sword though!

Kubur · 29th May 2021, 07:58 AM

No this blade is not damascus... Well you have a beautifull 19th c French blade and a terrific rhino hilt, what do you want more?
I wish to have the same.

27th May 2021, 09:03 PM	#1
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 877	Gurade sword with nice french blade Hello dear members, I wanted to share with you the pictures of this ethiopian gurade sword, made with a french blade, Manufacture Impériale de Chatellerault 1856 Cavallerie mod 1829, the blade was rusty/ almost black, I cleaned it/ sand it a little it , a nice pattern ''came out'', I haven't seen a lot of european military blades with this kind of damas steel, not usual ! am I right ? Attached Images

28th May 2021, 11:12 AM	#6
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 877	Hello, Thank you all for your messages, I'm not sure about damascus but I don't think humidity and water can make this ''pattern'' so deeply ''engraved'' in the blade, I sanded it ( 400 and 600 grain ) and it's still like that as David said I think it has a high carbon amount and was folded and hammered many times. For the hilt, a nice surprise, ( with a nice knob) a chief leader sword ? Kind regards Attached Images

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27th May 2021, 09:20 PM	#2
Gonzoadler Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 244	Hello, I'm not sure if it is damascus, I think the steel is just folded for refinement. The hilt is made of rhino horn. Good sword. Regards Robin

27th May 2021, 10:04 PM	#3
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	Until "fluid cast steel" became common, most if not all blade making involved a certain amount of folding and hammering. Shear steel was a the norm for a decent blade for a very long time. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dict...Dshear%20steel

28th May 2021, 02:41 AM	#4
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 391	The odd appearance of the blade surface is from corrosion. Water trapped with the blade in a scabbard does exactly this. It can become fairly deep and you will continue to see it even after later use without a scabbard. Originally the blade was polished and water would puddle making this type of pattern for lack of a better term . These French blades are not folded steel.

28th May 2021, 10:15 AM	#5
Duccio Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: Florence, Italy Posts: 64	The blade is certainly very beautiful and interesting, but I like to emphasize the beauty of the hilt and the fact that it is in perfect condition, which happens very rarely! Congratulations, a truly beautiful object.

29th May 2021, 07:58 AM	#8
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	No this blade is not damascus... Well you have a beautifull 19th c French blade and a terrific rhino hilt, what do you want more? I wish to have the same.