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Post by kirito on May 12, 2017 11:56:22 GMT
Hello everyone! I already posted a question in the Beginners Forum (about a "rusty sword"), but I've been reading quite a lot on this forum already  Very interesting! I just got this "new" rusty sword last week. I'm still searching around the internet for what kind of sword it's a replica of! Something European... Are there any online databases in existence where you can browse by weapon features/type? It's my first decorative sword, for the rest I only have a (non-sharp) dagger from the Czech Republic (which I bought new). I did practice naginata for a while, but I don't have a naginata at home. I will try to make the sword look better this weekend using aluminium foil as Verity suggested in above-mentioned topic and then post an update about it |
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Post by Faldarin on May 12, 2017 13:17:23 GMT
Welcome kirito! This place is generally a pretty great resource for finding answers to questions that you might have. There's a plethora of people here more knowledgeable than I am. If you post threads, generally you will get answers. If you can post pictures of the blade in question (even rusty), we could definitely let you know what kind of sword it might be a replica of. It's always rough to tell from just a description. There's no databases that I know of (again, others might know more), but The Oakeshott Typology might be a good place to start if you want to research it yourself. There's people here from many different backgrounds and specialties or likes of blade. For one, I know I haven't strayed too far from longsword, myself, though I dabble elsewhere. |
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Post by kirito on May 12, 2017 13:32:45 GMT
I already uploaded some pictures to wetransfer we.tl/yjhWbmj1bs , but I'll find a more permanent place to upload them this weekend! Hopefully some pictures with less rust as well  Looking at the Oakeshott typology, it's probably a replica of a sword from the 15th century or later? |
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AndiTheBarvarian
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"Lord of the Memes"
Bavarianbarbarian - Semper Semprini
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on May 12, 2017 13:34:37 GMT
Hello kirito and welcome to the forum!
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Post by Faldarin on May 12, 2017 13:45:52 GMT
I already uploaded some pictures to wetransfer we.tl/yjhWbmj1bs , but I'll find a more permanent place to upload them this weekend! Hopefully some pictures with less rust as well Looking at the Oakeshott typology, it's probably a replica of a sword from the 15th century or later? Unfortunately, my ISP apparently doesn't like that site. You can attach a picture or two directly to a thread, or use imgur/flickr as well. |
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Post by Verity on May 12, 2017 14:20:13 GMT
Welcome, kirito! Make yourself at home!
(I approve of the username. :) SAO is pretty sweet)
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Post by kirito on May 12, 2017 15:27:04 GMT
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Post by Verity on May 12, 2017 15:31:03 GMT
Very good! It's actually me cosplaying as him. But yes. That is the character. :)
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Uhlan
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Post by Uhlan on May 12, 2017 17:08:49 GMT
Welcome to the forum Kirito. Your sword is a made in Toledo copy of a Spanish rapier of the ,, sail '' guard kind I think. Originals could be found at oldswords.com/antiqueswords.php, but to get at their data base you'll have to subscribe. Costs for a year are about $10. To get around that you could use Google Images with the keywords ,, Spanish sail guard rapier ''. These types of rapier were in use for a long time in Spain. Some, like the Spanish Bilbo were in use as Cavalry swords way up into the 19th century. Mine is dated 1774 and the type could have seen use in the Napoleonic wars and very much later then that. Your rapier is still being made at Toledo. They are for the reproduction and tourist trade, with a stainless steel blade for the more modern examples. The hilt, though fairly accurate, is always cast from some sort of pot metal. In general the Toledo swords and rapiers made in the more or less modern aera ( they started doing repros in end of the 19th century ) are only good as decoration. Do not ever try to cut or spar with them! That would be dangerous. The sail guard type was in use from the 15th to the 18th century I think. Though no one knows exactly why rapiers were in use so very long in Spain, while all other European countries had long since switched to other designs, it could be argued it had to do with the curse of the Inca gold and silver. The quantities of gold and silver that arrived, mainly in Antwerp that was under Spanish occupation, were so gigantic that it caused hyper inflation. The impact of that on the Spanish economy was so horrendous that the Spanish Empire went to pot and became an Empire of paupers. It can also be argued that the negative effects of said hyper inflation still work out to today in Spanish psyche. Anyway, it could be a reason why they held on to the old designs and simply could not modernise as quickly as the more afluent nations. Hyper inflation is worse than the plague. More people die and suffer and it lasts much longer. |
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Post by kirito on May 12, 2017 20:07:08 GMT
Uhlan, thank you very much for the information! That's very helpful  Can you see from the pictures what kind of pot metal the brown and grey parts of the hilt would be? I looked at the wikipedia page on pot metal and saw pot metal could be zinc mixed with lead, copper, tin, magnesium, aluminium, iron, or cadmium. If it was bought 50 years ago, it would have been made in the 1960s. I hope they didn't mix zinc with lead or cadmium in such swords then I'll start with using aluminium foil on the blade anyway! |
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Post by HazMatt on May 12, 2017 20:23:54 GMT
Welcome to the forum. There is a list of PDFs in the general discussion board. Sword Typology PDF |
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Uhlan
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Post by Uhlan on May 12, 2017 20:43:47 GMT
Try some steel wool, medium to fine and a drop of oil.
That should do.
As for the pot metal, it can be anything. There is iron in there otherwise it would not rust. Zinc and lead have a white powdery oxydation. They would have mixed anything in there to guarantee a good flowing cast without too many blow holes. Do not forget these Toledo repros are anything but cheap rubbish. They are rather well made for what they are. Marto's are even quite expensive.
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Post by natqui on May 12, 2017 21:29:19 GMT
Welcome As most of us, you'll start to read only posts about 1 or 2 subjects...but you'll end up reading always more ^^ |
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Very interesting!
Is your picture of Hijikata from Hakuouki?
