Sewar with Molar Hilt

russel · 22nd February 2015, 05:16 AM

Hello all,

I am very pleased to present this sewar for discussion. I am quite taken with it and would appreciate any information or thoughts.

Cheers - Russel

russel · 22nd February 2015, 05:24 AM

The inherent fragility of this material was made apparent when it arrived (very poor packing effort on the part of the seller). Fortunately Robert Coleman was able to restore it to its former glory!

Battara · 22nd February 2015, 06:58 AM

Robert did a very impressive job!

Yes this stuff is crazy brittle. Here is a link to a great discussion on the fossil molar ivory:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=fossil+molar

Sajen · 22nd February 2015, 10:32 AM

Hello Russel,

beautiful sewar and a great restore job from Robert, nearly invisible. Maybe give the blade an etch, they are normally very fine laminated.

Regards,
Detlef

kai · 22nd February 2015, 10:52 AM

Hello Russel,

Congrats, looks like a genuine old example!

This type of scabbard is typically Minang as far as I know; it usually has a long extension at the mouth of the scabbard (side the edge is pointing to). From the pics it's not obvious wether it got recarved, possibly a good while ago?

I'm with Detlef that the blade deserves and etch (someone overcleaned it).

Nice repair job, Robert!

Regards,
Kai

russel · 22nd February 2015, 11:09 AM

I will certainly give the blade an etch at some time - when I have built my confidence on lesser items!

You pre-empted me Kai, the scabbard has intrigued me. Most examples I have seen images of have some form of extension at the mouth of the scabbard. Is this a known type? If it is a repair to a break, it must have been some time ago, as there is no sign of it and the patina is quite uniform.

Sajen · 22nd February 2015, 11:51 AM

Hello Russel,

I am not sure where and when but I am nearly sure to have seen a sewar scabbard like this before. Your scabbard don't look recarved to my eyes.
I think that the blade was cleaned to reattach the the handle without rust at the tang.
Don't worry to much about etching a blade, try lemon or vinegar, you can't do mistakes by this.
Again, great score by this beautiful sewar!

Regards,
Detlef

CharlesS · 22nd February 2015, 01:14 PM

The extreme angle of the at the bottom side of the mouth of the scabbard does lead me to believe that it has been recarved, and as others have said, likely some time ago.

Frankly, who cares!!!...it's such a lovely piece and such an excellent restoration job. The fact that it still retains its scabbard at all is a plus!!

Congrats!

22nd February 2015, 05:16 AM	#1
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	Sewar with Molar Hilt Hello all, I am very pleased to present this sewar for discussion. I am quite taken with it and would appreciate any information or thoughts. Cheers - Russel Attached Images

22nd February 2015, 05:24 AM	#2
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	The inherent fragility of this material was made apparent when it arrived (very poor packing effort on the part of the seller). Fortunately Robert Coleman was able to restore it to its former glory! Attached Images

22nd February 2015, 06:58 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	Robert did a very impressive job! Yes this stuff is crazy brittle. Here is a link to a great discussion on the fossil molar ivory: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=fossil+molar

22nd February 2015, 10:32 AM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,786	Hello Russel, beautiful sewar and a great restore job from Robert, nearly invisible. Maybe give the blade an etch, they are normally very fine laminated. Regards, Detlef

22nd February 2015, 10:52 AM	#5
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Hello Russel, Congrats, looks like a genuine old example! This type of scabbard is typically Minang as far as I know; it usually has a long extension at the mouth of the scabbard (side the edge is pointing to). From the pics it's not obvious wether it got recarved, possibly a good while ago? I'm with Detlef that the blade deserves and etch (someone overcleaned it). Nice repair job, Robert! Regards, Kai

22nd February 2015, 11:09 AM	#6
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	I will certainly give the blade an etch at some time - when I have built my confidence on lesser items! You pre-empted me Kai, the scabbard has intrigued me. Most examples I have seen images of have some form of extension at the mouth of the scabbard. Is this a known type? If it is a repair to a break, it must have been some time ago, as there is no sign of it and the patina is quite uniform.

22nd February 2015, 11:51 AM	#7
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,786	Hello Russel, I am not sure where and when but I am nearly sure to have seen a sewar scabbard like this before. Your scabbard don't look recarved to my eyes. I think that the blade was cleaned to reattach the the handle without rust at the tang. Don't worry to much about etching a blade, try lemon or vinegar, you can't do mistakes by this. Again, great score by this beautiful sewar! Regards, Detlef

22nd February 2015, 01:14 PM	#8
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	The extreme angle of the at the bottom side of the mouth of the scabbard does lead me to believe that it has been recarved, and as others have said, likely some time ago. Frankly, who cares!!!...it's such a lovely piece and such an excellent restoration job. The fact that it still retains its scabbard at all is a plus!! Congrats!