Timor sword questions

Maurice · 28th October 2024, 09:51 PM

Hi,

These blades were stamped 'trade blades' from the VOC, and low quality iron bought for instance in Japan.
The VOC stamped these low quality trade blades with a VOC stamp, chamber and date, to raise the value of their tradeware or because the VOC marks were expected on the blades by the Timorese traders.
The VOC members themselves had high quality blades, without VOC stamps, made and bought in Solingen (Germany).

Regards,
Maurice

28th October 2024, 09:51 PM	#3
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,330	Hi, These blades were stamped 'trade blades' from the VOC, and low quality iron bought for instance in Japan. The VOC stamped these low quality trade blades with a VOC stamp, chamber and date, to raise the value of their tradeware or because the VOC marks were expected on the blades by the Timorese traders. The VOC members themselves had high quality blades, without VOC stamps, made and bought in Solingen (Germany). Regards, Maurice Attached Images