Hunting Trousse help
Dec 29, 2009 1:01:14 GMT
Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2009 1:01:14 GMT
I was given this Hunting Trousse and would love any input on identification, etc.
A friend of my Mother gave this to me. It was her Father's and she is 82 now. I will add any more info I can pump out of her.
Here are a bunch of pictures with some observations of my own.
Total Length is about 23 inches. I believe the blade is "carbon" steel, not stainless, as it is VERY magnetic, but I have no real way to test this. Highly polished where it is not etched. I know, I know.... I have read some of the metallurgy discussions... yeah, it Could be stainless. It is wickedly sharp and probably hasn't been touched in 40+ years.
Handle is real Antler (you can see the porous bony structure of the antler in cross-section when you pull the pommel/end cap off). The fancy metal on the guard, handle, scabbard appears to be cast, possibly brass, but lowish quality, at least in it's finish. The chape for example is definitely brass.
The scabbard is leather over wood with a leather liner that has scooched down a bit inside making it difficult to fully sheath the blade- it is hanging up down by the tip.
Oak leaves and Acorns
Dogs eating Deer legs
Saw marks on the antler, screw on pommel nut, rat tail tang, but I can't get any more taken apart without more torque than I am willing to apply.
Crown over a Shield with a Z. Anybody seen this?
The blade is extensively etched on both sides and the spine. It almost looks Laser -cut, but I know this thing is definitely pre-1960, so that can't possibly be.
you can see the "hanger" on the scabbard in this shot. Also, the decorated shell that extends below the guard on the main blade is there to act as a keeper for the small secondary blade when the big blade is sheathed.
I am unable to decide if, culturally, the etching looks German, English, or Scottish (what seem like the 3 most likely candidates). Of course you would expect thistles with Scottish, but they could have chosen oak leaves, right?
If I really had to guess, I think I would go with an early 20th Century, decorative (souvenir?) piece.
A friend of my Mother gave this to me. It was her Father's and she is 82 now. I will add any more info I can pump out of her.
Here are a bunch of pictures with some observations of my own.
Total Length is about 23 inches. I believe the blade is "carbon" steel, not stainless, as it is VERY magnetic, but I have no real way to test this. Highly polished where it is not etched. I know, I know.... I have read some of the metallurgy discussions... yeah, it Could be stainless. It is wickedly sharp and probably hasn't been touched in 40+ years.
Handle is real Antler (you can see the porous bony structure of the antler in cross-section when you pull the pommel/end cap off). The fancy metal on the guard, handle, scabbard appears to be cast, possibly brass, but lowish quality, at least in it's finish. The chape for example is definitely brass.
The scabbard is leather over wood with a leather liner that has scooched down a bit inside making it difficult to fully sheath the blade- it is hanging up down by the tip.
Oak leaves and Acorns
Dogs eating Deer legs
Saw marks on the antler, screw on pommel nut, rat tail tang, but I can't get any more taken apart without more torque than I am willing to apply.
Crown over a Shield with a Z. Anybody seen this?
The blade is extensively etched on both sides and the spine. It almost looks Laser -cut, but I know this thing is definitely pre-1960, so that can't possibly be.
you can see the "hanger" on the scabbard in this shot. Also, the decorated shell that extends below the guard on the main blade is there to act as a keeper for the small secondary blade when the big blade is sheathed.
I am unable to decide if, culturally, the etching looks German, English, or Scottish (what seem like the 3 most likely candidates). Of course you would expect thistles with Scottish, but they could have chosen oak leaves, right?
If I really had to guess, I think I would go with an early 20th Century, decorative (souvenir?) piece.