German parade sword

Jim McDougall · 18th November 2012, 08:16 PM

I agree with Mark and Gav, Europe in the 18th century and somewhat earlier had distinct affinities with exotica and esoterica, and the age of exploration had provided fascinating fodder for these. Ships returning from exotic places carried many such items and as noted, placement in such ceremonial mounts for a ceremonial or parade type item seems a likely explanation if this can be forensically supported as to age . There were quite a few 'bizarre' and shocking fabrications of these kinds, the fable 'Iron Maiden' among various 'dungeon instruments' notwithstanding, whose purported histories are questionable at best.

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18th November 2012, 08:16 PM	#8
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	I agree with Mark and Gav, Europe in the 18th century and somewhat earlier had distinct affinities with exotica and esoterica, and the age of exploration had provided fascinating fodder for these. Ships returning from exotic places carried many such items and as noted, placement in such ceremonial mounts for a ceremonial or parade type item seems a likely explanation if this can be forensically supported as to age . There were quite a few 'bizarre' and shocking fabrications of these kinds, the fable 'Iron Maiden' among various 'dungeon instruments' notwithstanding, whose purported histories are questionable at best.