Tortuga

[urbanspaceman]

I see you have written it as VIVA A NOSA as opposed to VIVA xxx ONOSA; what is the difference? Is it an archaic spelling?

[fernando]

Originally Posted by urbanspaceman

I see you have written it as VIVA A NOSA as opposed to VIVA xxx ONOSA; what is the difference? Is it an archaic spelling?

No, no archaic in here; only trying to make words thst make sense, based on the common illiteracy of the blade smiths; with a further confucion caused by the siad smiths inscribing enticing phrases in blades to better sell them.
On the one hand, RAÍNHA call only be a Portuguese word, reason why i made it NOSSA, as also it could only be Portuguese; neither being spelled like that in Spanish ( REINA and NUESTRA). On the other hand, TORTUGA is Spanish for Turtle, the shape of the island looking by a swimming one when observed from Hispaniola. The Portuguese are not related with Tortuga; the Spaniards are ... and there was no Portuguese queen by then.
So you can take a pick. I would go for some (German) smith rehearsing some smart appeal in a marketing operation.

[urbanspaceman]

Point taken re. illiteracy Fernando.
Equally, using any method possible to add value to the blade was common indeed.
However, assigning a Portuguese queen to Tortuga does not do it - because if it means anything to the customer, then it must also mean it is fabrication.
This is not really a typical battlefield blade, or a maritime one either; it is a civilian weapon or possibly an officer's court sword... even before the re-hilt, and I suspect either would be aware there was no Portuguese queen of Tortuga.
No, I'm afraid I remain very puzzled so far.

[bvieira]

Hello,

Another Portuguese here, I amplified your photos and I read the same thing "Portugal" with no doubt! The queen for the type of sword refers to queen Maria I of Portugal.

Regards,

Bv

[urbanspaceman]

Hey Folks, I stand corrected and I am no longer confused: it is Portugal.
Well now, that problem is solved.
Is it Maria 1st, or 2nd?
The blade seems 1st but the hilt 2nd. Perhaps it was an heirloom passed down then re-hilted.
Wow...!
Thank-you Folks... Tortuga just did not make sense on any level.

[bvieira]

I told you so!

[urbanspaceman]

How about the smith's mark and that curious R?
I've looked all through Bezdek's book of German marks and cannot see anything that corresponds.
It is German, isn't it?

[bvieira]

Originally Posted by urbanspaceman

How about the smith's mark and that curious R?
I've looked all through Bezdek's book of German marks and cannot see anything that corresponds.
It is German, isn't it?

I did not analyze that but i have 2 similar swords,1 made in solingen! other in toledo, maybe other ppl can help i have not a big documentation of sword marks! i don't think its portuguese made.

regards,

BV