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Post by pellius on Feb 23, 2019 2:52:20 GMT
Thanks, Jordan.
Yeah, as much as I admire the graceful curves and alluring proportions of a nice cut-and-thrust light cav saber, this art’y just naturally feels more “at home;” a trusty no nonsense side arm watching my back. Maybe it’s my working class roots, but the grim determined demeanor of this saber just kinda suits me.
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Post by pellius on Mar 8, 2019 20:17:29 GMT
United States m1840 Heavy Cavalry Trooper's Saber Quick notes and a few pics. This sword was made by W. Walscheid of Solingen. It is "inspired by" the French m1822 light cavalry saber. I have always seen the US M1840 referred to as a "Heavy Cavalry Saber," presumably referring to the cavalry (not the sword) being "heavy." Some internet sources claim that the contemporaneous US military did not actually distinguish its cavalry into light and heavy divisions. Others seem to dispute that. It has also been suggested that various Solingen firms were copying the French m1822LC for various buyers around the world. Coupled with the realities of war time weapons smuggling and the like, some suggest calling a Solingen saber such as this one a US model anything might be misleading or even just plain wrong. For example: www.bygoneblades.com/buy-belgian-issued-french-m1822-light-cavalry-sabre To be honest, I've never really been an ACW (or Mexican American War) enthusiast, so I never tried to resolve such matters. I try to note that such ambiguity exists when I am aware of it, though. Calling this a Solingen-made US m1840 HC saber probably sufficiently identifies the sword. When I first started to learn a little about late 18th to early 20th Century Western swords, I found the whole endeavor pretty intimidating. There are so many kinds, styles, etc., and other than SBG, there aren't a lot of beginner-oriented information sources that are freely available on the internet. The field is full of rabbit holes down which one can get lost. ( See e.g., supra.) Unsurprisingly, my first antiques from that period came from SBG members, whose expertise, good nature, and trust-worthiness gave me some confidence. Again, I've never really been an ACW enthusiast. Yet even to me, the "Wristbreaker" seemed to have hammered out its own somewhat notorious place in US military history. No small feat in an industrial gun culture almost too young to have any real sword history or reverence. So I kinda wanted one. I casually looked online at a quite a number of ads for m1840's, both current and long closed, to get an idea of prices and such. On the one hand, I was happy to find that ACW sabers could be had for Del Tin/VA prices. At the time, that was within my budget but at the higher end, making me wary of buying a poor quality or fraudulent example. On the other hand, I was really surprised at how horribly most ACW swords were preserved. Compared to Euro's from the same time period, the US sabers as a group generally looked as if they had basically been stored in a barn in the trunk of an old Ford Mustang or something. Anyway, this particular m1840 appealed to me because the hilt was completely intact, reasonably tight, undamaged, and the blade had no red rust or pitting. It was in my price range, and was offered for sale by a long standing SBG member. The edge was chewed up pretty well from obvious vigorous use, but still seemed to have good integrity. And there was plenty of black patina, some so egregious I could nearly make out identifying fingerprints. Also, sadly, no scabbard. Anyway, I bought it, and was very happy to get it. This particular saber is actually in pretty decent overall condition. It is intact, sound, and tight enough to perform moderate sword maneuvers. That said, the grip wire is a little loose, and the hilt is a little loose to the tang. Not obvious in casual handling, but an enthusiast would find it quite noticeable. The brass hilt is intact and undamaged save a few small but sharp nicks and cuts. I have cleaned it up quite a bit since I first received it, removing a lot of the dark gunk in the unboxing photos. I have not polished it out, yet. I'm considering doing a much more thorough cleaning of the whole sword when I get some free time (whenever that might be). I've come to the opinion that patina (on a 19th Century US/Euro, anyway) is basically a sign of neglect, and I would choose to preserve the sword rather than the neglect. Other than nicks to the foible and forte, the blade is undamaged, with no bends or twists. At a quick glance, it actually looks pretty good for a 150+ year old piece of weathered and worked carbon steel. Of course, a closer look reveals the mud-and-blood reality of a cavalry weapon from a time of war. I have a modern scabbard, not pictured. I don't actually know how a light cav saber should handle. To my untrained hand, this sword is feels confident and maneuverable; not nearly as horrible as its namesake implies. While it feels a bit sluggish compared to my French m1822LC (the only other comparable light cav trooper saber I own), it almost matches the maneuverability and point control of my Swiss m1896 cav trooper saber, which is considerably smaller. Overall, this is a decent sword that appears to have lived through some interesting times. It isn't beautiful, and is only reasonably well preserved. But it is one of the famous "Wristbreakers," and is a genuine historical fighting saber. It enjoys an honored place in my modest sword family.        |
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Post by Jordan Williams on Mar 8, 2019 23:54:01 GMT
Very nice sword. I had the same thoughts when I had mine for a short while. Nice write up too, definitely valuable to get actual thought pieces on swords.
Agreed! All of my swords but one (No time, blech) get a good scrubbing and a bath in rust removed if they have pits.
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Post by pellius on Mar 9, 2019 2:43:11 GMT
Thanks, Jordan.
I originally intended to simply add a few pics and quick stats and impressions for each sword just to kinda put a face with the name. Unfortunately, I seem to lack the gene responsible for brevity, and I apparently keep self-indulgent musings and mildly sardonic commentary within ready reach.
I do quite enjoy just talking about swords, though. Even if (especially if) I don’t really know what I’m talking about. Haha.
🙄
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Post by markus313 on Mar 9, 2019 17:48:54 GMT
Really nice, congrats!
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stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,714
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Post by stormmaster on Mar 9, 2019 17:58:11 GMT
i like your collection, nice and varied!
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Post by pellius on Mar 9, 2019 21:29:04 GMT
markus313 - Thank you.
stormmaster - Thank you.
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Post by pellius on Mar 14, 2019 19:48:36 GMT
Swiss m1867 cavalry officer's saberSome notes, thoughts, and a few pics. As always, I have no HEMA or horse cavalry training, so..... yeah, I'm but an enthusiastic neophyte. Corrections and information always greatly appreciated. This sword was made by Mohr & Speyer. My sword list originally stated this was a Waffenfabrik Neuhausen sword, but that was a cut-n-paste error on my part. There is an old SFI archived thread that states that Mohr and Speyer was a retailer in Berlin operating from 1852-1867, and cites German Swords and Sword Makers by Richard H. Bezdek. It turns out that this book can still be bought on Amazon for around $700 ($262 used paperback). With apologies, I did not spring for the book, so I can't confirm. If true, it would seem my particular m1867 dates to roughly 1867.* One of my earliest antique swords was a Swiss m1899/1919 cavalry officer's saber, which was (and is) in really fantastic shape. I was particularly fond of the hilt, and especially of the wire-bound shagreen grip. (Yep, I thought the hilt looked cool. I know, I know; beginners.) Unfortunately, the Swiss m1899 was developed in a time period when swords were widely doubted as serious war fighting weapons. Thus, the m1899 is not a particularly impressive sword in size or design. When I learned that the same type of hilt was used on the Swiss officer's m1867 - a genuine cut-n-thrust war saber - my interest was piqued. On the forum, the m1867 officer's was described as being a high quality legitimate fighting sword with excellent handling. It came recommended by Dave Kelly, too: sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/49842/swiss-m1867-infantry-1896-lc Thus, when one became available from a long-time SBG member, I was fully prepared to snap it up immediately. As a bonus, it was in outstanding condition. While it looks very nice; the most astonishing thing about this saber is its weight and handling. It is difficult to put into words, really. The sword is missing its finger loop and its hilt washer. Even so, it feels very maneuverable and very fast, with telepathic point control. Yet the blade is fairly stiff and feels authoritative. You can pour a fair amount of energy into it and rely on a precise recovery. While it might not be up to regular ground and pound combat duty, it feels more than confident enough to easily challenge and defeat an aggressive heavily armed adversary. In short, it feels like a reliable and deadly sidearm for maintaining order and authority over a company of armed and trained soldiers. Perhaps not particularly durable, but to its intended purpose, this thing is truly fearsome. I have not had the opportunity to handle a Swiss m1867 cav trooper's saber, but a few folks have posted stats, so I can generalize a bit. The officer's saber is very close to the same overall size as the trooper's, but about 20% lighter. The biggest difference seems to be a much more aggressive distal taper, and a much fancier hilt. I'll try to put a simple chart together some time if I get permission to use stats provided by others. In the meantime, here's a couple of links. The m1867 Officer's in the first link is the one I have now. Markus313 very kindly included a chart with stats from this sword, three m1867 trooper's, and others: sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/56162/swiss-1867-officer-cavalry-saberUhlan posted stats on a trooper's saber here: sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/50356/swiss-m1867-cavalry-troopers-sabreAnyway, this particular m1867 is in really good shape. The only nitpicks are the missing finger loop and the missing hilt washer. There is a very slight tick in the hilt, which I presume is caused by the missing washer. The hilt is riveted, so it is secure enough for respectful handling. There is a bit of wear on the outer bowl, but the blade is pristine as only two centuries of strict neutrality can provide. The scabbard is in pretty good condition, and looks as if it has seen many military maneuvers and parades, but no actual combat. It has some dings, but no real dents. It is almost unbelievably light weight, and probably dents *super* easily. It holds the sword snugly. It has one ring and a saddle hook. According to Uhlan's very impressive posts (links above and below), if on the trooper's, this would be a third generation scabbard after 1883. However, it also seems that Swiss cav officers switched to a quill back saber in 1875: sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/39619/swiss-m1875-cavalry-officers-sabre?page=1Also, again, there is at least some reason to believe this m1867 dates to about 1867. If so, this would be a first-generation (or only-generation) scabbard. In summary, this is one of my very favorite swords. I have not managed to find any for sale in the US or online lately, but apparently they are not particularly uncommon in mainland Europe. Surprisingly (to me), they don't seem to command a high price. If you get the chance, I strongly recommend getting one.        www.swordforum.com/vb4/showthread.php?66907-Mohr-and-Speyer-sabersAlso interesting: sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/55461/switzerlands747.photobucket.com/user/kelly1863/library/Swiss%20Cav%20Off%20Sabres%201867-1894?sort=4&page=1sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/55414/swiss-police-sabreswww.swisswaffen.com/saebel-ordonnanz-1867-henri-guisan/sb1867hg/wdfo5gaih3as#picturesOnline info regarding Swiss sabers is elusive. * Please see my addendum post of February 1,2020, below in this thread, which presents some reasons to question my date-of-manufacture conclusion. This hobby involves a non-linear learning process. I’ll amend this post when/if I learn more. 🙂
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Post by elbrittania39 on Mar 15, 2019 5:36:30 GMT
Swiss m1867 cavalry officer's saber; fullered blade Some notes, thoughts, and a few pics. As always, I have no HEMA or horse cavalry training, so..... yeah, I'm but an enthusiastic neophyte. Corrections and information always greatly appreciated. This sword was made by Mohr & Speyer. My sword list originally stated this was a Waffenfabrik Neuhausen sword, but that was a cut-n-paste error on my part. There is an old SFI archived thread that states that Mohr and Speyer was a retailer in Berlin operating from 1852-1867, and cites German Swords and Sword Makers by Richard H. Bezdek. It turns out that this book can still be bought on Amazon for around $700 ($262 used paperback). With apologies, I did not spring for the book, so I can't confirm. If true, it would seem my particular m1867 dates to roughly 1867. One of my earliest antique swords was a Swiss m1899/1919 cavalry officer's saber, which was (and is) in really fantastic shape. I was particularly fond of the hilt, and especially of the wire-bound shagreen grip. (Yep, I thought the hilt looked cool. I know, I know; beginners.) Unfortunately, the Swiss m1899 was developed in a time period when swords were widely doubted as serious war fighting weapons. Thus, the m1899 is not a particularly impressive sword in size or design. When I learned that the same type of hilt was used on the Swiss officer's m1867 - a genuine cut-n-thrust war saber - my interest was piqued. On the forum, the m1867 officer's was described as being a high quality legitimate fighting sword with excellent handling. It came recommended by Dave Kelly, too: sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/49842/swiss-m1867-infantry-1896-lc Thus, when one became available from a long-time SBG member, I was fully prepared to snap it up immediately. As a bonus, it was in outstanding condition. While it looks very nice; the most astonishing thing about this saber is its weight and handling. It is difficult to put into words, really. The sword is missing its finger loop and its hilt washer. Even so, it feels very maneuverable and very fast, with telepathic point control. Yet the blade is fairly stiff and feels authoritative. You can pour a fair amount of energy into it and rely on a precise recovery. While it might not be up to regular ground and pound combat duty, it feels more than confident enough to easily challenge and defeat an aggressive heavily armed adversary. In short, it feels like a reliable and deadly sidearm for maintaining order and authority over a company of armed and trained soldiers. Perhaps not particularly durable, but to its intended purpose, this thing is truly fearsome. I have not had the opportunity to handle a Swiss m1867 cav trooper's saber, but a few folks have posted stats, so I can generalize a bit. The officer's saber is very close to the same overall size as the trooper's, but about 20% lighter. The biggest difference seems to be a much more aggressive distal taper, and a much fancier hilt. I'll try to put a simple chart together some time if I get permission to use stats provided by others. In the meantime, here's a couple of links. The m1867 Officer's in the first link is the one I have now. Markus313 very kindly included a chart with stats from this sword, three m1867 trooper's, and others: sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/56162/swiss-1867-officer-cavalry-saberUhlan posted stats on a trooper's saber here: sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/50356/swiss-m1867-cavalry-troopers-sabreAnyway, this particular m1867 is in really good shape. The only nitpicks are the missing finger loop and the missing hilt washer. There is a very slight tick in the hilt, which I presume is caused by the missing washer. The hilt is riveted, so it is secure enough for respectful handling. There is a bit of wear on the outer bowl, but the blade is pristine as only two centuries of strict neutrality can provide. The scabbard is in pretty good condition, and looks as if it has seen many military maneuvers and parades, but no actual combat. It has some dings, but no real dents. It is almost unbelievably light weight, and probably dents *super* easily. It holds the sword snugly. It has one ring and a saddle hook. According to Uhlan's very impressive posts (links above and below), if on the trooper's, this would be a third generation scabbard after 1883. However, it also seems that Swiss cav officers switched to a quill back saber in 1875: sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/39619/swiss-m1875-cavalry-officers-sabre?page=1Also, again, there is at least some reason to believe this m1867 dates to about 1867. If so, this would be a first-generation (or only-generation) scabbard. In summary, this is one of my very favorite swords. I have not managed to find any for sale in the US or online lately, but apparently they are not particularly uncommon in mainland Europe. Surprisingly (to me), they don't seem to command a high price. If you get the chance, I strongly recommend getting one. www.swordforum.com/vb4/showthread.php?66907-Mohr-and-Speyer-sabersAlso interesting: sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/55461/switzerlands747.photobucket.com/user/kelly1863/library/Swiss%20Cav%20Off%20Sabres%201867-1894?sort=4&page=1sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/55414/swiss-police-sabreswww.swisswaffen.com/saebel-ordonnanz-1867-henri-guisan/sb1867hg/wdfo5gaih3as#picturesOnline info regarding Swiss sabers is elusive. Awesome aquisition. Swiss sabers look delightful, I also don't understand why they tend to be so much cheaper than their counterparts. |
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Post by markus313 on Mar 16, 2019 4:08:32 GMT
Greatly enjoyed the pics and the write-up. This sword has found a perfect home with you.
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Post by pellius on Mar 16, 2019 23:48:45 GMT
Elbrit - thank you. Honestly, I’m glad they are overlooked for the most part. It means I can actually afford to acquire a few! They may not be trendsetters or have a storied history of world-shaping military engagement, but they are well engineered, built to close tolerances, and generally very well preserved. I like ‘em!
Markus - thank you. Yeah, this saber makes me happy happy happy, and I’m glad to have it. Really, all of my Swiss swords turned out to be nice, and fit my sword-wanting hankerings. Since I really have you to thank for all of them, double thank you.
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Post by pellius on Apr 9, 2019 16:04:46 GMT
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Post by viece on Apr 9, 2019 17:46:43 GMT
Thanks for the antique reviews! Just found those, really enjoyed going through them. I am also not a huge Civil War buff but am casually interested in getting an 1840 wristbreaker like yours.
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Post by pellius on Apr 9, 2019 20:33:13 GMT
viece - Thank you. I’m glad you found some value in my ramblings.
Yeah, I mean who wouldn’t want a sword called “Wristbreaker,” right? I really like the proportions of this sword and its s-curve profile. To me, it is just fantastic; the perfect sword shape.
If you get serious about buying one, you might as well hold out and spring for an Ames model in complete condition with an original scabbard. They are out there and not (yet) terribly expensive. Otherwise, like me, showing off your m1840 will always come with an asterisk or explanation.
That said, I personally don’t mind having a saber of questionable heritage. Anyone that knows the difference is probably a sword guy/gal anyway, so talking swords is part of the fun.
I’ll warn you, though. At least for me, getting a m1840 made getting a first gen French m1822 LC almost mandatory. Just to see what all the fuss was about.
Happy hunting.
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Post by viece on Apr 9, 2019 21:21:41 GMT
viece - Thank you. I’m glad you found some value in my ramblings. Yeah, I mean who wouldn’t want a sword called “Wristbreaker,” right? I really like the proportions of this sword and its s-curve profile. To me, it is just fantastic; the perfect sword shape. If you get serious about buying one, you might as well hold out and spring for an Ames model in complete condition with an original scabbard. They are out there and not (yet) terribly expensive. Otherwise, like me, showing off your m1840 will always come with an asterisk or explanation. That said, I personally don’t mind having a saber of questionable heritage. Anyone that knows the difference is probably a sword guy/gal anyway, so talking swords is part of the fun. I’ll warn you, though. At least for me, getting a m1840 made getting a first gen French m1822 LC almost mandatory. Just to see what all the fuss was about. Happy hunting. Thanks! Although I say I'm not a CW buff, that's not entirely true. I do already have two Ames, an 1863 light cav and an 1863 NCO. So I'd want the 1840 to be Ames just to fit in. Good tips, thanks! |
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Post by pellius on Apr 9, 2019 21:52:28 GMT
Very nice!
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Post by pellius on Jun 26, 2019 14:34:42 GMT
Swiss m1899 Cavalry Officer Sword
This is just an informal (self-indulgent) collection of some thoughts and a few pics. I considered doing a formal review, but I just don’t have enough information or expertise to offer a meaningful review beyond what I can provide here.
I have come to really like Swiss Nineteenth Century swords for a number of reasons.
Probably most important to my collection efforts, they are very affordable. They seem to roughly fall in the Del Tin price range. Though really quite rare in my neck of the woods (Florida), they are apparently fairly common over in mainland Europe. At least at the moment (2019), shipping is still possible and not terribly expensive, running maybe $30-50 US. It kills any short-term “investment” aspect, but is still pretty doable from a hobbyist perspective.
There also seems to be no shortage of examples in very good condition. I suppose things like a cool dry mountain climate and strict neutrality help a lot. No doubt the exceptional craftsmanship is an important factor as well.
Finally, they just look really nice.
Of course, I have no military sword training, so my appreciation is distinctly from a civilian enthusiast perspective. Free internet information about Swiss swords is kinda hard to come by. SBG has been my primary source for learning about, and acquiring, the few Swiss swords I own.
This particular sword is a model 1899 cavalry officer sword. I have neither found a source indicating that Switzerland differentiated its late Nineteenth Century cavalry into heavy and light divisions, nor have I encountered any reference to “Light Cav” vs. “Heavy Cav” Swiss swords.
The m1899 cav officer is straight, and sharpened along one edge. So, it may be considered a pallasche. Honestly, though, this sword seems a bit short to be a lance for a horseman. Also, the infantry officer version apparently either 1) only differs in the width of the guard (not blade size or profile), or 2) does not differ in any way. The internet/Magic 8-Ball is a little uncertain.
The Swiss m1896 cavalry trooper saber has a much more traditional size and cut-and-thrust oriented curved profile. While it was downsized from the m1867 cav trooper, it still at least looks like an actual cavalry weapon.
While my m1899 example is a genuine weapon with a sharp blade of tempered carbon steel, the model nonetheless seems more fit for dueling, subjugating troopers, or maybe simply as decoration.
In any event, thing looks fantastic, especially if, like me, you don’t know too much about swords.
As a side note, I use the term “antique” kinda freely. I’ve seen “antique” refer to 100+ years of age (furniture) to 30+years of age (automobiles), etc. I have not found a universal definition as applied to Euro swords. I just use the term to indicate a genuine historical military sword intended for fighting on the battlefield. This particular m1899 turned 100 this year, but I called it an antique from the day I got it.
This was the first antique sword I ever bought, and I got it from an SBG forumite. He really hooked me up with a nice piece. When I got it, I thought it looked almost new. It was hard to believe it was almost a century old. For a short while, I enjoyed believing that all antique swords were just kept in great condition; similar to the mythical Japanese katana. Beginners…
One side of the ricasso is marked “19” (indicating the year 1919), “II” (indicating a medium blade length of 80cm), and a Swiss Cross acceptance stamp.
The other side of the ricasso is marked “Waffenfabrik Neuhausen.” Best I can tell, Waffenfabrik just means weapon factory. My anecdotal poking around the internet indicates that Neuhausen was located in Switzerland rather than Prussia, making this a marginally more desirable “Swiss” version. There are a couple of modern places that Google Maps identifies as Neuhausen, both in Switzerland and Germany. No weapons factories that I could discern from Street View, though.
Stats measured by the previous owner (markus313):
Overall Length 95.6cm
Blade Length 81cm
Hilt Length 14.6cm
Weight 734g
Point of Balance 16cm
Distal Taper 5.98mm at base, 3.75mm at 30cm from tip
Width of Blade 2.35cm at base, 1.83cm at Center of Precussion
Markus313 provided a lot of great info about some other Swiss swords, too.
sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/56162/swiss-1867-officer-cavalry-saber
This sword and scabbard were blued at some point, preserving them very well. I took these not-so-great photos at my office, just to record the unpacking. The office light is the typical “cool”/blue fluorescent kind, making the blue look black in the photos.
The sword is very tight. The scabbard holds the sword snugly, and releases it freely. Even the hilt washer looks like it might be original, as it is sandwiched between the guard and the blade shoulders. It seals perfectly with the scabbard.
The peen is clean and intact. The finger loop is present, but it seems unlikely to be the original. The shagreen and wire binding is fully intact and tight.
The blade has been sharpened.
My only regret is that I foolishly threw away the original sword knot. Just kidding; the sword didn’t come with one.
The scabbard is in excellent condition, showing no dents or missing parts. The blueing is worn in a typical fashion indicating regular non-combat use and conscientious maintenance.
The drag bears a Swiss Cross acceptance stamp.
The grip on the sword is very comfortable. The hilt back strap has a very obvious thumb rest that is super grippy. This and the finger loop really commits the sword to a thumb-up saber grip. Such use gives excellent command and good point control over the sword. Overall, the sword is fairly nimble, but not as dainty as its appearance might imply. While its effectiveness as a weapon on a Twentieth Century battlefield might be questionable, it is still nonetheless a serious and deadly weapon.
I am quite fond of this sword. It was my first toe-dip into the shadowy world of antiques, and led to my ongoing feeble but sincere attempts to learn more about historical swords, swordsmanship, military tactics, and so on. Of all my antiques, it is best preserved, but probably the least useful for actual military combat. It was, after all, designed at the very end of the sword-as-a-serious-military-weapon era.
HEMA practitioners and serious collectors may scoff, but I recommend getting one if you have the chance. And hold out for one in excellent condition.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
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Post by viece on Jun 27, 2019 13:13:37 GMT
Nice writeup yet again!
Very pretty style.
I personally use "antique" to refer to stuff that's more than 50 years old, but I can't defend that in court. It's just comfortable and familiar, based on US archaeological and historic resources regulations and policies (the area I work in).
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pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
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Post by pgandy on Jun 27, 2019 15:45:15 GMT
I envy your collection and like your write ups.
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Post by pellius on Jun 27, 2019 17:56:53 GMT
viece - Thank you.
US policy and regulation has always been a fascinating subject to me. I sadly have next to zero knowledge about archaeology. Indeed, swords are my minuscule, but tangible, window into history. For example, I found that simply having this m1899 at hand while casually learning about WWI made the endeavor much more rewarding, despite the sword coming from a time and place not directly involved in the war itself.
My lay impression has always been that the US generally has little concern for history, especially history related to non-European or aboriginal peoples. Hopefully I am mistaken. I can remember as a child finding loads of stone arrowheads and tools in the woods near my home. Back then, there were so many just lying around in the dirt that no one ever bothered to collect them. If you ever wanted one, you could just go out and pick one up. All those places are now housing or commercial developments or the like. Here in modern central Florida, phosphate mining turns up a lot of fossils and the like, but a phosphate pit is nothing like an archaeological dig. Again, historical objects are rendered merely curious but disposable objects at best.
In any event, it is encouraging to know that there are persons with scholarly knowledge and perspective wielding at least some authority over the subject. I always appreciate experts that are willing to share their understanding with those of us outside their field.
pgandy - Thank you.
Acquiring a few swords on a pretty strict budget has been a rewarding process.
Being from the US, I have owned and had responsible access to firearms my entire life. Despite that fact, or perhaps due to it, I had never even touched a "real" sword until well into my forties. For me, handling and learning about swords is just a lot of fun, and provides an adult excuse to spend some time exploring and sharing all that arcane information about these mythical objects. It is also a great path to meeting some very interesting people of all ages from around the world. Honestly, I'm just glad to be here.
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