Johannes Hoppe Rapier and Dagger

Merenti · 16th March 2023, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

Looks like Merenti has it right; Saxon provenance. Rather than the dagger having no signature being an issue, if the master smith had in mind to build an inseparable duo, their aspect would be completely equal, not only similar. Down below an example of this type of dagger seen selling out there. Apparently is only plausible for a collector acquiring a sword and a left hand dagger of same typology and format, even in different occasions, and mary the couple. These are hardly Spanish, who used more often the 'sail' type. Most possibly this couple went from Germany to California with no detour by the Spaniards.
Yet everything is possible in this small world. I have a swept hilt rapier made by a famous Toledo Master which, been picked somewhere in the (Southern) States by a guy who brought back to the Peninsula (Portugal for he case), had it in exibition in the handle bars of his motorcicle, in a traditional bike meeting. If i didn't know its history i would swear that it just traveled a few hundred miles from my neighbor country.
And yes, these things had scabbards; however they were highly perishable ... only a few must have survived.

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https://www.hermann-historica.de/de/.../lot/id/455923

Your shown dagger is a well-known production from the historicism period

fernando · 16th March 2023, 05:39 PM

Oh ... i don't doubt that Merenti, even though the image i posted is from somewhere else; but probably from the same origin. However correct me if i am wrong; didn't you say the SwordLover's guards are historicism but the blades are authentic ? But i see that you were referring only to the dagger blade, right ?

Merenti · 16th March 2023, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

Oh ... i don't doubt that Merenti, even though the image i posted is from somewhere else; but probably from the same origin. However correct me if i am wrong; didn't you say the SwordLover's guards are historicism but the blades are authentic ? But i see that you were referring only to the dagger blade, right ?

It is my personal opinion that the dagger of Swordlover blade and guard are historicism. The rapier I consider to be assembled. The guard is historism and the blade could be original. I have often heard that original blades were used. Similarly as the forger Konrad has done

Merenti · 16th March 2023, 05:56 PM

https://antiquearmor.com/item/1293sword/

Saxon Arms have always been popular and well forged. there is a dealer in the USA who buys good fakes in Europe and then sells them as originals. I would never buy anything from this dealer

fernando · 16th March 2023, 06:30 PM

I see !

SwordLover79 · 16th March 2023, 10:27 PM

I surely did not purchase this pair from Andrew Garcia! He is quite a character though - as you must know. Andrew just published a new book offering a "collector's course on medieval arms and armor," which features many pieces he has bought and sold over the years. A bit lightweight for you guys!

SwordLover79 · 16th March 2023, 10:46 PM

Merenti: My dagger is indeed similar to the reproduction you referenced. I like to believe that in this case, copying is the highest form of flattery. As you look at my dagger next to your forgery, I'm sure you can tell there are not so subtle differences in the form of the blades, gauge/shape of the quillons and the quality of the wire wrapping/turks heads. If mine is indeed a forgery, the smith did an amazing job matching the gauge of the steel and curvature of the quillons between the sword and the dagger.

urbanspaceman · 17th March 2023, 07:34 PM

I am willing to 'suffer the slings and arrows' here because I am not a collector but an appreciator.
Not only would I not hesitate (no double negative) to enthusiastically possess this pair, but I would enjoy them dearly hanging on my wall.
They are impressive indeed.
Of course, I am the type who attempts to restore stuff to showroom quality because I feel the man who made it would not be happy to see it distressed. Many of you may think I am beyond the pale.
That is a splendid blade from an exceptional smith... well logged into Solingen history.
I suspect it is quite a unique exhibit down in SD... how is the arms and armour world down there?

17th March 2023, 07:34 PM	#8
urbanspaceman Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Tyneside. North-East England Posts: 522	Fabulous fakery I am willing to 'suffer the slings and arrows' here because I am not a collector but an appreciator. Not only would I not hesitate (no double negative) to enthusiastically possess this pair, but I would enjoy them dearly hanging on my wall. They are impressive indeed. Of course, I am the type who attempts to restore stuff to showroom quality because I feel the man who made it would not be happy to see it distressed. Many of you may think I am beyond the pale. That is a splendid blade from an exceptional smith... well logged into Solingen history. I suspect it is quite a unique exhibit down in SD... how is the arms and armour world down there?

16th March 2023, 05:39 PM	#2
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,666	Oh ... i don't doubt that Merenti, even though the image i posted is from somewhere else; but probably from the same origin. However correct me if i am wrong; didn't you say the SwordLover's guards are historicism but the blades are authentic ? But i see that you were referring only to the dagger blade, right ?

16th March 2023, 05:56 PM	#4
Merenti Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Germany Posts: 62	https://antiquearmor.com/item/1293sword/ Saxon Arms have always been popular and well forged. there is a dealer in the USA who buys good fakes in Europe and then sells them as originals. I would never buy anything from this dealer

16th March 2023, 06:30 PM	#5
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,666	I see !

16th March 2023, 10:27 PM	#6
SwordLover79 Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: San Diego Posts: 56	I surely did not purchase this pair from Andrew Garcia! He is quite a character though - as you must know. Andrew just published a new book offering a "collector's course on medieval arms and armor," which features many pieces he has bought and sold over the years. A bit lightweight for you guys!

16th March 2023, 10:46 PM	#7
SwordLover79 Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: San Diego Posts: 56	Merenti: My dagger is indeed similar to the reproduction you referenced. I like to believe that in this case, copying is the highest form of flattery. As you look at my dagger next to your forgery, I'm sure you can tell there are not so subtle differences in the form of the blades, gauge/shape of the quillons and the quality of the wire wrapping/turks heads. If mine is indeed a forgery, the smith did an amazing job matching the gauge of the steel and curvature of the quillons between the sword and the dagger.