Kilij

[Tim Simmons]

Although we all know this is not a fighting sword, what is puzzling is that it is not new and looks as though it may be from the early part of the 20th cent as there are undeniable signs of ware. It is very cheaply made, all the silver components look stamped including the scabbard, which is strange as the die would be very expensive, from the pictures it does not look hand raised or repousse work. I have worked on a 'celebrated' British generals sword of the same style, given after a war in the south of Africa, that was fine gold repousse. The rolled silver on the back of the handle says this must have been some sort of presentation piece, as some effort went into the making but even after saying that, would you pay much more than a tank full of petrol? Tim