Unknown short sword, old Moorish sword?

Roland_M · 19th February 2018, 01:47 PM

Hello,

around two years ago I won this heavily corroded short sword.

It's exactly like the old boys liked it, thin, wide and heavy. Without the Tang it is ~55 cm long.

The cutting edge looks gruesome, this sword saw truly brutal action.

I'm sure this blade was part of a European collection, because the latin number "1748" is stamped on the blade.

Any ideas what it is? Is it a moorish blade from spain or a naval sword?

I hope, someone know what I have. At least it seems to be pretty rare, because I cannot find another example.

Best wishes,
Roland

mariusgmioc · 19th February 2018, 04:48 PM

Hello Roland,

To me, it looks more like a Chinese Pudao.

Roland_M · 19th February 2018, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

Hello Roland,

To me, it looks more like a Chinese Pudao.

Hi Marius,

thank you for your thoughts.

Polearm was also my first guess but than I saw these symbols and the number, I became indecisive.

I think the tang is too weak for a polearm, maybe it was shortened.

The blade under the yelman-like area is 2.5 mm thin, relatively thin for a polearm.

What I can say definitely is that there are very deep notches. It almost seems, a little bit of steel from an oponents weapon is cold welded in the notch.

Best,
Roland

David R · 19th February 2018, 09:36 PM

Hiya, any signs that the tang was peened over, or was it a stick tang and just inserted into the grip/shaft.

Robert · 19th February 2018, 10:35 PM

Though I cannot find an exact match, this blade reminds me of some of the ones used on machetes made by Robert Mole & Sons.

Best,
Robert

Ian · 19th February 2018, 11:26 PM

Hi Roland,

Interesting old "warrior." The thickness (thinness) of this blade does remind me of a machete, as Robert suggested. The "1748" mark could be a model no.

Ian.

Roland_M · 20th February 2018, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David R

Hiya, any signs that the tang was peened over, or was it a stick tang and just inserted into the grip/shaft.

The tang seems slightly shortened or broken. I cannot see whether it is the original shape of the tang or not, there is too much rust. The tang is slightly bended, all beyond this is pure speculation. The size of the tang fits to European weapons.

Roland

Will M · 21st February 2018, 01:48 AM

The 1748 is a stamping and is the same or similar to German stamps from the late 1800's found on their firearms etc.
The moon appears to be a later but older addition with its outline unbroken seeming to miss any deep corrosion.
This blade also looks very much like a machete to me.
Many older blades have an iron tang with steel blade but I don't see and forged welding where the two would meet.

19th February 2018, 01:47 PM	#1
Roland_M Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Germany Posts: 525	Unknown short sword, old Moorish sword? Hello, around two years ago I won this heavily corroded short sword. It's exactly like the old boys liked it, thin, wide and heavy. Without the Tang it is ~55 cm long. The cutting edge looks gruesome, this sword saw truly brutal action. I'm sure this blade was part of a European collection, because the latin number "1748" is stamped on the blade. Any ideas what it is? Is it a moorish blade from spain or a naval sword? I hope, someone know what I have. At least it seems to be pretty rare, because I cannot find another example. Best wishes, Roland Attached Images

19th February 2018, 04:48 PM	#2
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,903	Hello Roland, To me, it looks more like a Chinese Pudao.

19th February 2018, 09:36 PM	#4
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	Hiya, any signs that the tang was peened over, or was it a stick tang and just inserted into the grip/shaft.

19th February 2018, 10:35 PM	#5
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Though I cannot find an exact match, this blade reminds me of some of the ones used on machetes made by Robert Mole & Sons. Best, Robert

19th February 2018, 11:26 PM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,203	Hi Roland, Interesting old "warrior." The thickness (thinness) of this blade does remind me of a machete, as Robert suggested. The "1748" mark could be a model no. Ian.

21st February 2018, 01:48 AM	#8
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 391	The 1748 is a stamping and is the same or similar to German stamps from the late 1800's found on their firearms etc. The moon appears to be a later but older addition with its outline unbroken seeming to miss any deep corrosion. This blade also looks very much like a machete to me. Many older blades have an iron tang with steel blade but I don't see and forged welding where the two would meet.