I just couldn't wait!!!

Gavin Nugent · 15th November 2008, 12:59 PM

Thanks for the kind words and for supplying the link Klas, I too was recently looking at it and they are all choice examples shown. One pictured has a similar blade configuration, the third last one it is, I particuarly like the suspended tassle shown.
Thanks too for coming in and covering off General Kwan, it was an interesting representation of him Valjhun bought forth.
Thanks for keeping this thread going with your interest too guys. Josh, if anything further has come to light I would love to hear it.
I should have new images in a fews days as I have been tracking the package and I should receive it Monday Aussie time.

regards

Gav

Gonzalo G · 16th November 2008, 06:53 AM

!Congratulations, Gav! A VERY interesting piece. Do you think it´s an offering item to the temple? Or a weapon designed to be used, no matter it was offered? There were some heavy fighting weapons on the chinese arsenal. Usually associated with the presence of heavy armour.
Regards

Gonzalo

Gavin Nugent · 16th November 2008, 07:21 AM

G'day Gonzalo, thanks for popping in on this thread.

Without having the piece in my hand yet, I still believe it is a weapon of massive proportions but was used within a temple of some description, maybe for ceremony, maybe for protection... I have yet been unable to reveal this.

There was reference made by the packers and senders when I spoke to them, that the shaft, although it appears to be timber to me when looking through the dragons mouth, they indicated that it is as hard as iron and almost had a metallic ring to it when struck, this alone may point further to a more practical nature. What I can see within the blades structure points to me that it is a weapon and the design of the dragon and the inlay on the blade all point to the makeup of something that would be used and found within a temple, one that could well be called upon within it's home to serve as devastating weapon.
Again, only my thoughts. I know there are some out there who would be considered much more versed in the subject and I look forward to hearing from them if they stumble across this thread. Given the time, I will make contact via websites to experts to see if the mystery can be revealed.
What are your views on this one Gonzalo?
I continue to welcome all comments from anyone interested, speculation or otherwise can all help unravel a mystery.

thanks

Gav

Gavin Nugent · 16th November 2008, 12:00 PM

Not the same but worth a look, sounds like it is in German. Fast forward to 3 minutes and again to 4minutes 30 secs for a few different versions in this Doco.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=A5EwWL...eature=related

I guess no one was looking as I forgot the link

Gav

Gavin Nugent · 17th November 2008, 06:52 AM

What a beauty!!

I will post photos if it ever stops raining here. It has a nice forged blade with distal taper and the iron butt spike is still in place.
I am leaning more to ceremonial as it is massive and I just don't know how something so large could be moved swiftly enough to defend and be offensive too, no matter how many youtube videos I watch!!! This one just seems bigger and heavier.

Watch this space, more to come.

Gav

Gavin Nugent · 18th November 2008, 08:18 AM

Josh, this maybe interesting for you, some of the data that you want.

The blade is 32 inches long from the forward most cutting edge to the dragons mouth, it is 10 inches tall at the first curve on the forefront and a little under this at the large middle curve/hook on the top of the blade. The blade still has a keen cutting edge from the Dragon's mouth to the end tip.

The spine is 3/8 of an inch wide at the dragons mouth and the blade is 4 inches tall at this point. It narrows slightly along the spine and then broadens again towards the first rear curve and from there distally tapers towards the tip and all the cutting edges. The curved valleys along the spine from this middle point to the tip have beveled unsharpened edges.

There are signs within this hand forged blade of delamination in places and a small forging crack has appeared in the forward most top curve. The large middle top hook is nicely shaped to both sides of the blade to appear more cloud like, it enhances the bronze/brass inlay that is present at this point by adding a round visual feel to it.

The inlay goes all the way from the dragons throat to the forward most "star" along the top edge of the blade and is of a very interesting design that the photos will reveal.

The Brass star inlay is all present except on one side were one piece of brass is lost. They protrude both sides about an 8th of an inch. They are all iron centred and brass based and both the brass and iron are tight and dome finished which does give a nice effect.

I will get some images of the blade posted to support this description and then move on down the piece with more descriptions and images.

If there is anything in particular that I have not covered please ask.

Gav

Gavin Nugent · 18th November 2008, 10:51 AM

Images;

Mark · 21st November 2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freebooter

What a beauty!!

I will post photos if it ever stops raining here. It has a nice forged blade with distal taper and the iron butt spike is still in place.
I am leaning more to ceremonial as it is massive and I just don't know how something so large could be moved swiftly enough to defend and be offensive too, no matter how many youtube videos I watch!!! This one just seems bigger and heavier.

Watch this space, more to come.

Gav

Yaaaay! I have never been happier to be wrong. I can now see clearly from the new photos that what I was afraid were dents are forging irregularities. Its a beautiful piece.

Congratulations.

15th November 2008, 12:59 PM	#1
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Thanks Klas Thanks for the kind words and for supplying the link Klas, I too was recently looking at it and they are all choice examples shown. One pictured has a similar blade configuration, the third last one it is, I particuarly like the suspended tassle shown. Thanks too for coming in and covering off General Kwan, it was an interesting representation of him Valjhun bought forth. Thanks for keeping this thread going with your interest too guys. Josh, if anything further has come to light I would love to hear it. I should have new images in a fews days as I have been tracking the package and I should receive it Monday Aussie time. regards Gav

16th November 2008, 07:21 AM	#3
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Only an opinion G'day Gonzalo, thanks for popping in on this thread. Without having the piece in my hand yet, I still believe it is a weapon of massive proportions but was used within a temple of some description, maybe for ceremony, maybe for protection... I have yet been unable to reveal this. There was reference made by the packers and senders when I spoke to them, that the shaft, although it appears to be timber to me when looking through the dragons mouth, they indicated that it is as hard as iron and almost had a metallic ring to it when struck, this alone may point further to a more practical nature. What I can see within the blades structure points to me that it is a weapon and the design of the dragon and the inlay on the blade all point to the makeup of something that would be used and found within a temple, one that could well be called upon within it's home to serve as devastating weapon. Again, only my thoughts. I know there are some out there who would be considered much more versed in the subject and I look forward to hearing from them if they stumble across this thread. Given the time, I will make contact via websites to experts to see if the mystery can be revealed. What are your views on this one Gonzalo? I continue to welcome all comments from anyone interested, speculation or otherwise can all help unravel a mystery. thanks Gav

16th November 2008, 12:00 PM	#4
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Not the same but... Not the same but worth a look, sounds like it is in German. Fast forward to 3 minutes and again to 4minutes 30 secs for a few different versions in this Doco. http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=A5EwWL...eature=related I guess no one was looking as I forgot the link Gav Last edited by freebooter; 17th November 2008 at 06:34 AM.

17th November 2008, 06:52 AM	#5
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Holy smokes!!! What a beauty!! I will post photos if it ever stops raining here. It has a nice forged blade with distal taper and the iron butt spike is still in place. I am leaning more to ceremonial as it is massive and I just don't know how something so large could be moved swiftly enough to defend and be offensive too, no matter how many youtube videos I watch!!! This one just seems bigger and heavier. Watch this space, more to come. Gav

18th November 2008, 08:18 AM	#6
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Measurements for starters Josh, this maybe interesting for you, some of the data that you want. The blade is 32 inches long from the forward most cutting edge to the dragons mouth, it is 10 inches tall at the first curve on the forefront and a little under this at the large middle curve/hook on the top of the blade. The blade still has a keen cutting edge from the Dragon's mouth to the end tip. The spine is 3/8 of an inch wide at the dragons mouth and the blade is 4 inches tall at this point. It narrows slightly along the spine and then broadens again towards the first rear curve and from there distally tapers towards the tip and all the cutting edges. The curved valleys along the spine from this middle point to the tip have beveled unsharpened edges. There are signs within this hand forged blade of delamination in places and a small forging crack has appeared in the forward most top curve. The large middle top hook is nicely shaped to both sides of the blade to appear more cloud like, it enhances the bronze/brass inlay that is present at this point by adding a round visual feel to it. The inlay goes all the way from the dragons throat to the forward most "star" along the top edge of the blade and is of a very interesting design that the photos will reveal. The Brass star inlay is all present except on one side were one piece of brass is lost. They protrude both sides about an 8th of an inch. They are all iron centred and brass based and both the brass and iron are tight and dome finished which does give a nice effect. I will get some images of the blade posted to support this description and then move on down the piece with more descriptions and images. If there is anything in particular that I have not covered please ask. Gav Last edited by freebooter; 18th November 2008 at 11:28 AM. Reason: Extra Info

16th November 2008, 06:53 AM	#2
Gonzalo G Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Nothern Mexico Posts: 458	!Congratulations, Gav! A VERY interesting piece. Do you think it´s an offering item to the temple? Or a weapon designed to be used, no matter it was offered? There were some heavy fighting weapons on the chinese arsenal. Usually associated with the presence of heavy armour. Regards Gonzalo

18th November 2008, 10:51 AM	#7
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Images Images; Attached Images