Blast from the past: An Oakeschott Sword

[Ed]

There are a couple of threads about some of my objects that are pretty old (ca. 2000) yet have, I think some interest still.





This was my original post

I recently purchased a sword at auction that belonged to Oakeshott. Rather than post pictures I direct you to the following reference: The Archaeology of Weapons, plate 20 b. This sword has been referenced many times in Oakeshotts works, generally dated to ca. 1450. (also Sword in the Age of Chivilry plate 43 b, and so on, I can provide other references for anyone interested).

Now, my question is this: I have had my dear friends at the Met in NY examine this sword and their position is that it is highly composite. The blade might be 1450 or so, but the assemblage' is later.

By their admission they LOOK for fakes and would rather let 10 good ones go by if they can kick out one bad one.

What do you folks think? Inquiring minds want to know.

I will re-post comments from Jim, Lee and Scott Bubar unless there are objections.

Ah, yes ... the original thread is here

http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum5/HTML/000018.html

[celtan]

So what if it's a composite..? When blades were kept in the family, they often underwent repair and upgrades. The part of the sword that most suffers is the hilt, being in contact with salty sweat. They don't last forever.

The fact that it has been repaired or serviced leads more credence to the genuineness of a weapon, compared to one that shows very little wear.

Regards

M

[FenrisWolf]

Originally Posted by celtan

So what if it's a composite..? When blades were kept in the family, they often underwent repair and upgrades. The part of the sword that most suffers is the hilt, being in contact with salty sweat. They don't last forever.

The fact that it has been repaired or serviced leads more credence to the genuineness of a weapon, compared to one that shows very little wear.

Regards

M

Heck, I have an old 'hunting sword' that is the result of a chopped off broadsword blade whose profile could date to the 1300s, riveted to a piece of staghorn, with a decorated brass disk for a guard whose ornamentation looks vaguely Victorian. Great conversation piece even if its provenance is all over the place...