Waiting on a Swiss 1867
Jul 29, 2013 13:47:23 GMT
Post by Kilted Cossack on Jul 29, 2013 13:47:23 GMT
I generally don't do these things; generally, I don't haunt e-bay looking for swords. Honestly. But this weekend I did. It all started off innocently enough---I was thinking about grip material, horn or bone, and somehow ended up looking for them on e-bay.
Why bone or horn? Well, I'd been over at Old Dominion Forge, and I've got these take-off saber blades, and I got to thinking I could set them up as Colonial era hangers.
Just like in a Hitchcock movie, all a fellow has to do sometimes is take that one, ill-timed step . . ..
Next thing you know, I'm following a British 1853, a French produced US Army 1902, and a swoopy 1829 artillery saber from one of the German states. The 1853 falls away without notice, but as time runs down I bid on the 1829 artillery and the 1902, angling for a good deal but without too much passion, and getting outbid in each case.
Ah, but what have we here? I stumble across a "buy it now!" site with not one, not two, not three, but four Swiss cavalry sabers, all 1867s, and all looking mighty good for 150 years old (more or less). There's four of them, like I say, including three with sword knots, all with scabbards . . . so I figure, hey, I'll just contemplate these and ponder on the issue somewhat.
A few hours later there's not four, not three, not two, but one of these sabers left . . . and I bit. Now the waiting begins! $414 delivered to my door, a touch outside the "official SBG range" but only a touch. I'd been circling around KOA's listing of sabers lately, the Cold Steel repros mostly, and they'd come in under three, but I still figure this was a catch. Several other vendors have had 1867s in stock, in significantly worse shape, for somewhat more money (~$650).
I'm anticipating a big percussive saber that's still light and maneuverable, with a big comfortable hilt. In my imagination it should make a nice counterpoint to the 1822 Legere: bowl not bar hilt, more cut oriented than thrust oriented.
Pins and needles here, waiting.
Why bone or horn? Well, I'd been over at Old Dominion Forge, and I've got these take-off saber blades, and I got to thinking I could set them up as Colonial era hangers.
Just like in a Hitchcock movie, all a fellow has to do sometimes is take that one, ill-timed step . . ..
Next thing you know, I'm following a British 1853, a French produced US Army 1902, and a swoopy 1829 artillery saber from one of the German states. The 1853 falls away without notice, but as time runs down I bid on the 1829 artillery and the 1902, angling for a good deal but without too much passion, and getting outbid in each case.
Ah, but what have we here? I stumble across a "buy it now!" site with not one, not two, not three, but four Swiss cavalry sabers, all 1867s, and all looking mighty good for 150 years old (more or less). There's four of them, like I say, including three with sword knots, all with scabbards . . . so I figure, hey, I'll just contemplate these and ponder on the issue somewhat.
A few hours later there's not four, not three, not two, but one of these sabers left . . . and I bit. Now the waiting begins! $414 delivered to my door, a touch outside the "official SBG range" but only a touch. I'd been circling around KOA's listing of sabers lately, the Cold Steel repros mostly, and they'd come in under three, but I still figure this was a catch. Several other vendors have had 1867s in stock, in significantly worse shape, for somewhat more money (~$650).
I'm anticipating a big percussive saber that's still light and maneuverable, with a big comfortable hilt. In my imagination it should make a nice counterpoint to the 1822 Legere: bowl not bar hilt, more cut oriented than thrust oriented.
Pins and needles here, waiting.
