Modern pira

Ian · 25th August 2020, 10:32 AM

Hi Xas,

I really like that new pira. Very handsome piece.

Here's one of mine from WWII era. Somewhat slimmer than many examples of this style.

Ian.

.

Lee · 25th August 2020, 12:29 PM

It will be a few days before I will be able to organize fresh pictures. The scabbard mouth is very plain, except for the profile and the hilt extends up to about a centimetre into a recess. The edges are reinforced with aluminum edges.

I notice a similar profile in the mouth of the scabbard in Ian's example (as well as some nice carving). I notice that the shaping of the hilt and the 'ricasso' of the blade are also very similar between Ian's splendid example and mine.

kronckew · 25th August 2020, 12:30 PM

Ian, that's a really nice one. A proper sword.

Ian · 25th August 2020, 02:26 PM

Lee, your example is very similar to mine, although your blade is a bit wider. The ricasso and hilt are almost identical on the two swords, and the scabbards have the same profile. Is it possible that yours is also WWII vintage? I know these swords were used as weapons against the Japanese during WWII.

Wayne, thanks for the kind words.

Lee · 25th August 2020, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Is it possible that yours is also WWII vintage?

It was certainly not new in the mid 1970s when I acquired it and it has not added much appearance of further aging, so it surely could be older than my guess. Perhaps, if not very likely, the black electrical tape wrapping of the scabbard replaced an original traditional wrapping more like yours.

Ian · 25th August 2020, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee

It was certainly not new in the mid 1970s when I acquired it and it has not added much appearance of further aging, so it surely could be older than my guess. Perhaps, if not very likely, the black electrical tape wrapping of the scabbard replaced an original traditional wrapping more like yours.

Quite possible. I have another (provenanced) WWII-era piece that had the scabbard wrapped in black electrical tape.

kronckew · 26th August 2020, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Quite possible. I have another (provenanced) WWII-era piece that had the scabbard wrapped in black electrical tape.

Are we talking shiny black plastic electrical insulation tape or the sticky black friction tape we wrapped baseball bat grips with?

Lee · 26th August 2020, 04:20 PM

Shiny!

xasterix · 25th August 2020, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Hi Xas,

I really like that new pira. Very handsome piece.

Here's one of mine from WWII era. Somewhat slimmer than many examples of this style.

Ian.

.

This pira breaks my heart. Haha kidding, I hope to get to meet it someday still. Really handsome blade.

25th August 2020, 10:32 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,398	Hi Xas, I really like that new pira. Very handsome piece. Here's one of mine from WWII era. Somewhat slimmer than many examples of this style. Ian. . Attached Images

25th August 2020, 12:29 PM	#2
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 937	It will be a few days before I will be able to organize fresh pictures. The scabbard mouth is very plain, except for the profile and the hilt extends up to about a centimetre into a recess. The edges are reinforced with aluminum edges. I notice a similar profile in the mouth of the scabbard in Ian's example (as well as some nice carving). I notice that the shaping of the hilt and the 'ricasso' of the blade are also very similar between Ian's splendid example and mine.

25th August 2020, 12:30 PM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,224	Ian, that's a really nice one. A proper sword.

25th August 2020, 02:26 PM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,398	Lee, your example is very similar to mine, although your blade is a bit wider. The ricasso and hilt are almost identical on the two swords, and the scabbards have the same profile. Is it possible that yours is also WWII vintage? I know these swords were used as weapons against the Japanese during WWII. Wayne, thanks for the kind words.

26th August 2020, 04:20 PM	#8
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 937	Shiny!