A composite sword

Matus · 17th January 2014, 05:03 PM

Hello,

a friend of mine recently acquired this sword, knowing it's most probably a composite piece.
We think the hilt might be possibly 17th century, the blade most probably 19th century. What puzzles us - there are remains of gilding on the blade (as well as on the hilt). So we are wondering why would anyone in the 19th century gild such a blade.

Total sword length: 112 cm
Blade length: 91 cm

Looking forward to your comments and suggestions.

Thank you,
Matus

Matus · 17th January 2014, 06:16 PM

more pictures

fernando · 17th January 2014, 06:37 PM

Nice sword, Matus.
Why do you place the blade in such late period ? I know you have it in your hands, so you can judge better.
I can't trace the name GORROCHATEGUI, a Spanish (Basque) name, in my scarce material on swordsmiths, but maybe someone here will.
... Or maybe this was the owner's name, FS being the blade smith's mark

kronckew · 17th January 2014, 06:40 PM

yep, composite. the visible tang looks like it had a piece added so it would fit the grip, ie. it was made for another sword. maybe someone 'repairing' a broken original that was also gilded?

Matus · 17th January 2014, 07:16 PM

The blade feels really thin and also the "F S" stamp with the grape (?) doesn't look like 17th century.
The overall feel of the sword is also a bit "shaky".

17th January 2014, 05:03 PM	#1
Matus Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 35	A composite sword Hello, a friend of mine recently acquired this sword, knowing it's most probably a composite piece. We think the hilt might be possibly 17th century, the blade most probably 19th century. What puzzles us - there are remains of gilding on the blade (as well as on the hilt). So we are wondering why would anyone in the 19th century gild such a blade. Total sword length: 112 cm Blade length: 91 cm Looking forward to your comments and suggestions. Thank you, Matus Attached Images

17th January 2014, 06:16 PM	#2
Matus Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 35	more pictures Attached Images

17th January 2014, 06:37 PM	#3
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Nice sword, Matus. Why do you place the blade in such late period ? I know you have it in your hands, so you can judge better. I can't trace the name GORROCHATEGUI, a Spanish (Basque) name, in my scarce material on swordsmiths, but maybe someone here will. ... Or maybe this was the owner's name, FS being the blade smith's mark

17th January 2014, 06:40 PM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,181	yep, composite. the visible tang looks like it had a piece added so it would fit the grip, ie. it was made for another sword. maybe someone 'repairing' a broken original that was also gilded?

17th January 2014, 07:16 PM	#5
Matus Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 35	The blade feels really thin and also the "F S" stamp with the grape (?) doesn't look like 17th century. The overall feel of the sword is also a bit "shaky".