Sassanian swords

broadaxe · 25th June 2010, 11:46 AM

I was lucky enough to inspect and hold a Sassanian sword several years ago, personally. I do not know if it is an additional one to the number quoted by Jim, but back then I did my own math and I do think it is an unpublished item. The owner (private collector), however, was reluctant to give provenance. The sword is real to my best knowledge, having a very similar feathered scabbard, angled hilt with a sub-guard. the fitting were silver, in good overall shape, existing blade though badly corroded but obviously single edged with a slight upcurving point. That sword was amazingly comfortable to hold!

tom hyle · 25th June 2010, 01:27 PM

It's too bad so much important material is lost to study because its rightful owners have to fear such silly laws and official arrogance over who can own what or what is supposedly a crime or what will be stolen from you if you're caught with it. Such silliness to hold back our pleasure and knowledge!

Jim McDougall · 25th June 2010, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by broadaxe

I was lucky enough to inspect and hold a Sassanian sword several years ago, personally. I do not know if it is an additional one to the number quoted by Jim, but back then I did my own math and I do think it is an unpublished item. The owner (private collector), however, was reluctant to give provenance. The sword is real to my best knowledge, having a very similar feathered scabbard, angled hilt with a sub-guard. the fitting were silver, in good overall shape, existing blade though badly corroded but obviously single edged with a slight upcurving point. That sword was amazingly comfortable to hold!

This sounds like the one which I mentioned that was actually published in Nickel (1973) as part of an article on these and Hun swords. Nickel was the curator at the Met, and the sword (with single edge determined only by xray as it was, I believe, corroded in scabbard), the New York collector was named Erickson.

I agree, so much is lost to fear of repurcussions from legal issue, being targeted by thieves, etc. and equally by academic suppression in the case of material guarded for eventual (?) publication. Too often contributions to discussions are less than forthcoming as individuals do not wish to divulge findings or information they may use privately.

25th June 2010, 11:46 AM	#1
broadaxe Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 334	I was lucky enough to inspect and hold a Sassanian sword several years ago, personally. I do not know if it is an additional one to the number quoted by Jim, but back then I did my own math and I do think it is an unpublished item. The owner (private collector), however, was reluctant to give provenance. The sword is real to my best knowledge, having a very similar feathered scabbard, angled hilt with a sub-guard. the fitting were silver, in good overall shape, existing blade though badly corroded but obviously single edged with a slight upcurving point. That sword was amazingly comfortable to hold!

25th June 2010, 01:27 PM	#2
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	It's too bad so much important material is lost to study because its rightful owners have to fear such silly laws and official arrogance over who can own what or what is supposedly a crime or what will be stolen from you if you're caught with it. Such silliness to hold back our pleasure and knowledge!