Do I have an authentic Falchion?

Abalone · 1st October 2006, 04:31 AM

I may have acquired what could be an authentic medievel Falchion. It looks blacksmith made, and very old. Is there someone there who would be willing to comment on the attached photos and give me their opinion? I realize there are many repros and modern made knives, swords and weapons that look very close to original... but I need to ask.

This came from a private collection that also had an authentic Viking sword and 17th century armored helmet and other items from a since deceased serious European collector.

The entire length is about 34" and the blade is about 26"

I am not a professional sword collector, and my background primarily involves antique firearms.

It is very sharp, but does not look recently done... I can't see any grinding lines near the edge, but it is as sharp as I would want any blade to be. And the edge just tapers like a wedge, with a slight rounding into the edge. It weighs about 4+ pounds (approx 2kg). There are no markings that I can see other than a lot of dings and very old nicks. Very aged pitting in various parts of the blade. The grip is wood, very dark, almost polished smooth from handling it would seem.

I read somewhere that they have only found a handful of these surviving. If this proves to be authentic, then perhaps I have something rather valuable. How can I get this appraised

Thanks...

-Greg

Rivkin · 1st October 2006, 03:37 PM

This sword reminds of creations we discussed in the following thread:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=520

Ok, the original ebay action is gone, but basically there was a guy who used to sell very suspicious swords of a very similar manufacture in the name of his dead father, "serious collector". The swords indeed ranged from "viking" to 17th century cutlasses.

But I am no specialist, so I would wait for someone like Dr.Lee to comment.

mmontoro · 1st October 2006, 04:13 PM

Welcome to the forum! I believe I remember this piece on eBay and it was from the gentleman Rivkin referred to. This individual lists his location as Milton, Ontario, Canada and I've seen more than a few of his auctions with a similar theme: interesting looking swords selling for $350 when, if authentic, the piece would be worth much more. I believe he uses an eBay alias to sell bowie knives in a similar way for about the same price. The location of the bowie knife seller is also Milton, Ontario, Canada and there is a similar rustic look to all the pieces and the liguistic patterns in the eBay copy are very similar. Even the eBay id's possess similar themes. These are just my observations about this seller and I don't feel qualified to judge your piece, but this forum is a great place with many very knowledgeable contributors who would be able to offer a valuable opinion. Best of luck to you.

Lew · 1st October 2006, 04:40 PM

Greg

The sword is a repro and it was artifically aged.

Lew

wolviex · 1st October 2006, 04:59 PM

I second this opinion - this is repro. It is visible with bare eye - poor quality steel, lousy execution, the shape isn't quite perfect, wood definitely newer than 16th century

. I don't know if it is artificially aged, I saw 19th century repros looked like that - they just aged 'autogenously' as the time passed

. In 19th century they used steel of very poor quality, which easily get rusted. I don't know if this is late 19th century or 20th century piece but I'm sure it's not original.
Regards!

Abalone · 1st October 2006, 05:46 PM

Yes, I have asked for a return and refund. It is clear from the feedback I've received that this is a modern piece. Someone said it may indeed be "antique", as in 100+ years old, but certainly not medieval. The question is whether $350. is a fair price. I love the feel of this piece, and would keep it if it was worth $350. But not if its just some $75. cheap fake

ariel · 1st October 2006, 07:41 PM

We are not giving valuations here.
I am sure it is not an authentic sword and not even a well made reproduction. Crudely made, with no relation to how the real stuff looked, poor aging technique.
If you like it, though, keep it as a "conversation point". I am not sure the discussion will go in the right direction

but it sure will be amusing

Bill M · 1st October 2006, 08:37 PM

CCC

1st October 2006, 04:31 AM	#1
Abalone Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Greenbrae, CA Posts: 2	Do I have an authentic Falchion? I may have acquired what could be an authentic medievel Falchion. It looks blacksmith made, and very old. Is there someone there who would be willing to comment on the attached photos and give me their opinion? I realize there are many repros and modern made knives, swords and weapons that look very close to original... but I need to ask. This came from a private collection that also had an authentic Viking sword and 17th century armored helmet and other items from a since deceased serious European collector. The entire length is about 34" and the blade is about 26" I am not a professional sword collector, and my background primarily involves antique firearms. It is very sharp, but does not look recently done... I can't see any grinding lines near the edge, but it is as sharp as I would want any blade to be. And the edge just tapers like a wedge, with a slight rounding into the edge. It weighs about 4+ pounds (approx 2kg). There are no markings that I can see other than a lot of dings and very old nicks. Very aged pitting in various parts of the blade. The grip is wood, very dark, almost polished smooth from handling it would seem. I read somewhere that they have only found a handful of these surviving. If this proves to be authentic, then perhaps I have something rather valuable. How can I get this appraised Thanks... -Greg Attached Images

1st October 2006, 05:46 PM	#6
Abalone Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Greenbrae, CA Posts: 2	Do I have an authentic Falchion? Yes, I have asked for a return and refund. It is clear from the feedback I've received that this is a modern piece. Someone said it may indeed be "antique", as in 100+ years old, but certainly not medieval. The question is whether $350. is a fair price. I love the feel of this piece, and would keep it if it was worth $350. But not if its just some $75. cheap fake

1st October 2006, 03:37 PM	#2
Rivkin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 655	This sword reminds of creations we discussed in the following thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=520 Ok, the original ebay action is gone, but basically there was a guy who used to sell very suspicious swords of a very similar manufacture in the name of his dead father, "serious collector". The swords indeed ranged from "viking" to 17th century cutlasses. But I am no specialist, so I would wait for someone like Dr.Lee to comment.

1st October 2006, 04:13 PM	#3
mmontoro Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 91	Welcome to the forum! I believe I remember this piece on eBay and it was from the gentleman Rivkin referred to. This individual lists his location as Milton, Ontario, Canada and I've seen more than a few of his auctions with a similar theme: interesting looking swords selling for $350 when, if authentic, the piece would be worth much more. I believe he uses an eBay alias to sell bowie knives in a similar way for about the same price. The location of the bowie knife seller is also Milton, Ontario, Canada and there is a similar rustic look to all the pieces and the liguistic patterns in the eBay copy are very similar. Even the eBay id's possess similar themes. These are just my observations about this seller and I don't feel qualified to judge your piece, but this forum is a great place with many very knowledgeable contributors who would be able to offer a valuable opinion. Best of luck to you.

1st October 2006, 04:40 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Greg The sword is a repro and it was artifically aged. Lew

1st October 2006, 04:59 PM	#5
wolviex Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Poland, Krakow Posts: 418	I second this opinion - this is repro. It is visible with bare eye - poor quality steel, lousy execution, the shape isn't quite perfect, wood definitely newer than 16th century . I don't know if it is artificially aged, I saw 19th century repros looked like that - they just aged 'autogenously' as the time passed . In 19th century they used steel of very poor quality, which easily get rusted. I don't know if this is late 19th century or 20th century piece but I'm sure it's not original. Regards!

1st October 2006, 07:41 PM	#7
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	We are not giving valuations here. I am sure it is not an authentic sword and not even a well made reproduction. Crudely made, with no relation to how the real stuff looked, poor aging technique. If you like it, though, keep it as a "conversation point". I am not sure the discussion will go in the right direction but it sure will be amusing

1st October 2006, 08:37 PM	#8
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	CCC