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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 5,503
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What is it?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MEWA:IT It looks like a "fusion" sword, although well-made. The blade is European, with a clipped point liked by the Russians; the edge is strange: looks like it was pre-formed when the blade was made rather than resulting from sharpening. The scrimshawed handle looks Chinese but nicely attached. The absense of even rudimentary crossguard makes it less than comfortable for real fighting; more like a decorative renovation. Any ideas? Did I miss an opportunity to get an ultimate " collector's dream"? |
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#2 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,287
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To me it looks like something that might have been offered for sale to a GI during the post war American occupation of Japan .
Possibly a re-mounted Japanese war prize : http://tinyurl.com/c5m3x Perhaps even the ultimate in irony right down to the blued blade ; 1917 model US Navy cutlass : ![]() http://tinyurl.com/ajfeg I wonder if the new owner will post pics of it here ? ![]() ![]() Last edited by Rick; 26th August 2005 at 04:16 PM. Reason: More info |
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#3 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: USA
Posts: 1,725
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This looks like an extremely rare and valuable sword. There's a similar one for sale here:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1079 ![]() |
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#4 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,287
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I see you survived Katrina Andrew .
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#5 | |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: USA
Posts: 1,725
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![]() Quote:
We're all good, Rick. ![]() Internet access is spotty, though. |
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#6 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,247
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Good to hear Andrew.
Rick, You mean that I don't get to read you and Henk arguing for two pages just to settle that bet? ![]() ![]() ![]() F |
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#7 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,247
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Hi Andrew,
Neat link, but I'm not sure I agree. The one you linked to is definitely Chinese. I'm not so sure about this one. My inexpert diagnosis is that a) it's a western saber blade of some sort, as Ariel suggested. The clip tip and deep fuller really don't look Chinese. b) someone (not necessarily Chinese!) riveted a bone handle to it. Thing is, I could do a handle decoration similar to that with a soldering iron. While I agree that it's a Chinese theme, the lack of any Chinese fittings on the blade should be sending up warning flags. I don't know of any Chinese swords where the blade is riveted to the handle, either. My suggestion is that this was someone's art project, either from Europe or the US. It's certainly cool as art, but that's as far as I would go. Since "dhaguy" bought it, I wonder which of the "dhafia" will be able to enlighten us on this blade? ![]() F |
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#8 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 210
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That is a US model 1917 cutlass remounted with a decorated bone handle. These swords were still standard equipment on older ships during WWII.
You can see pictures of original examples here: http://arms2armor.com/Swords/1917var1.htm n2s |
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#9 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Kernersville, NC, USA
Posts: 793
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The hilt looks like it's held on with roll pins. The spring type shaped like a "C". Not even rivets.
Steve |
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#10 | |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,167
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Ariel:
I had intended to post pictures of this one side-by-side with an example of the original sword from which it was derived. The blade comes from a Dutch Colonial military saber issued in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) during the first half of the 20th C. I have one of these complete with scabbard and will try to post pictures over the weekend (time permitting). Edit: Actually, Rick has already posted links to pics of a Dutch "klewang" saber, and mine is identical to the pictures he linked to. The handle appears to be a Japanese refit, perhaps WWII vintage, as suggested. I thought it was likely a souvenir collected in Indonesia by a Japanese military person during WWII. Ian. Quote:
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