New to the forums. What do I have?

thinreadline · 11th July 2019, 09:25 AM

Yes looks to be a trade blade , though I do agree its longer and narrower than any I have encountered so far . The tang cross piece is typical of these blades. I suspect it was one designed to be used as a lance or spear rather than a knife.

Raiderbeater · 11th July 2019, 12:36 PM

Thickness is around 5.5mm.
Width is 30mm at widest.
Length is 20” overall and blade length only is 17”

Jim McDougall · 11th July 2019, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinreadline

Yes looks to be a trade blade , though I do agree its longer and narrower than any I have encountered so far . The tang cross piece is typical of these blades. I suspect it was one designed to be used as a lance or spear rather than a knife.

By jove I think you got it there TRL!

In "Swords and Blades of the American Revolution" (1973, George Nuemann). p.225, 140.PA......there is a pike which seems blacksmith grade of c. 1775, found in Champlain Valley sites. This shows that curious extra bar, while this blade in OP shows better quality blade it does seem made 'in this manner' perhaps it is a European example possibly copied by a colonial blacksmith in the Nuemann example .

11th July 2019, 09:25 AM	#1
thinreadline Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wirral Posts: 1,204	Yes looks to be a trade blade , though I do agree its longer and narrower than any I have encountered so far . The tang cross piece is typical of these blades. I suspect it was one designed to be used as a lance or spear rather than a knife.

11th July 2019, 12:36 PM	#2
Raiderbeater Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 5	Thickness is around 5.5mm. Width is 30mm at widest. Length is 20” overall and blade length only is 17”