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Post by kvb on Mar 9, 2021 2:59:14 GMT
Just wanted to introduce myself and say hello. I've been a lurker in this forum here from time-to-time and love it as a resource! Our family inherited a large collection of swords, ranging from presentation civil war, eagle head, knights head, and some that we have no idea. I may post up some photos occasionally to help ID some as I can't find any info them, pictures or otherwise, anywhere on the internet. First Question(s): Are there any good resources available on the internet that simply break down hilt styles/sword styles (rapier/sabre, etc), and markings? My grandfather said to never mess with any of them as far cleaning etc. so they've be untouched for years. Some have some very old scabbards that seem to be breaking down. Is there anything I can/should do to help preserve leather? Example: Thanks in advance and thank you all for this great resource/forum! Kevin
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2021 4:14:12 GMT
Hi Kevin Welcome aboard. When you get a chance, go ahead and post images but I would suggest we concentrate on one sword at a time and a new thread for each sword. There really is no one page or book that suits all. I tend to buy books every year and there are always more. I'll be happy to assist on information, or steer in a good direction for more. If you browse the albums on this page, you'll find a lot up to the 1700s myarmoury.com/home.phpThere is a subscription page that can be somewhat useful with many sword types. They also have a facebook page oldswords.com/www.facebook.com/groups/iascpostOld scabbards can be scary. Some have been heavily paste waxed and need nothing. Other times as you note, they are crumbling. I use antique formula with good results. pecard.com/shop/antique/antique-leather-dressing/It is mostly beeswax and white spirits and will darken the leather and will become a coating. When handling these old scabbards, always store the blade in the scabbard (once dry from treatment). Always insert and withdraw while laying the scabbard flat on a surface, or slowly vertical. Leaving it flat in the process avoids the sag and further cracking. Before After There are a number of other products but for the old stuff, it can be a bit of a crap shoot. Some preach lanolin, someone recently is using an Armor All product. I am pretty well versed on pre ACW US swords with eagles my main focus with also a large exposure of the "knight" head pommels and of which most are actually Roman centurions. A lot of collectors know a particular type more than another, so there are a lot of collective minds out there. To me, that is why it can be most helpful to discuss one sword, or one type in individual threads. Cheers Glen Cleeton
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New here
Mar 9, 2021 5:49:48 GMT
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Post by pellius on Mar 9, 2021 5:49:48 GMT
Welcome.
Not messing with antique swords is probably good advice, though regularly oiling or waxing them is essential for preservation.
Edelweiss’s advice to inquire about each sword or type of sword is also good advice. Once you know a little about the identity of a particular piece, internet searches and inquiries become a lot easier.
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Post by kvb on Mar 9, 2021 15:07:54 GMT
Excellent and thank you! I do have several books already, and they have been very helpful for U.S. swords. The myaurmory.com should keep me busy for a while.
Appreciate it, Kevin
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Mar 9, 2021 15:34:23 GMT
Welcome to the fourum kvb, and I must say you have inherited a nice collection. I’m afraid your grandpa mislead you about cleaning, or perhaps a misunderstanding. They should be wiped down and oiled regularly. Perhaps he meant don’t remove rust and such. As for the leather, it should have been oiled to prevent the crumbling. There are many leather conditioners on the market, I’ve found they all work. Perhaps a cream or liquid type that doesn't required rubbing in would be best in this case. Also when handling a leather sheath keep it in the vertical plane or well supported when no sword is in it, this also includes when drawing and returning a sword. Without a blade they will flex, not good for old leather especially when dry. WD-40 with #000 steel wool will remove surface rust without damaging the sword. It will not remove the residual stains or pitting caused by the rust and don’t attempt to do so. I’d go no further than that as for cleaning.
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Post by kvb on Mar 14, 2021 21:02:03 GMT
There is a good bit to go through....and I'm finding information on some, and none others. I'm basically looking to document as much as I can in hopes to save the next person from going through the same process of ID'ing and gathering information. It been fun so far as I've learned much more about previous wars/history than I ever knew and it's been an enjoyable process as well.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2021 21:18:12 GMT
That is a nice spread of swords. From what I glance at, even variety of the eagle pommel types cannot be covered by one resource.
Actually, addressing each sword individually may obtain the best information. They seem to be roughly in chronological order but even then, not truly so.
Cheers GC
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Post by kvb on Mar 14, 2021 21:34:54 GMT
Just a little backstory.
My grandfather was a collector of nearly everything. As a child, I remember him showing me tin types and playing with early children/mini swords and gun parts/relics. He served in WWII, was a great human being, and was willing to mentor and discuss about the history of items. Although, I didn't understand what he was teaching at age 8 or so, he definitely had a passion for history and collecting items from it and I'm intrigued to learn more about it.
He passed away about 20 years ago and nobody in our family has/have the knowledge of historical items as he did. This was his hobby and what made him happy.
I'll start a new post/thread for given swords and try to give my best description...then you all can chime in and see where I'm off....and I'm sure I'll be off on some items.
Kevin
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New here
Mar 14, 2021 21:54:27 GMT
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Post by pellius on Mar 14, 2021 21:54:27 GMT
Wow! Very impressive collection.
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Post by eaglepommeladdict on Mar 17, 2021 21:00:31 GMT
That’s an excellently well curated collection. I collect similar swords and can help answer questions on some of them. I actually have a similar one to the one that’s hanging on the wall at the lower right
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Post by eaglepommeladdict on Mar 17, 2021 21:01:35 GMT
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Post by eaglepommeladdict on Mar 17, 2021 21:21:17 GMT
Many of those swords are worth quite a bit of money. If you were looking to sell, you’d probably get the most by selling them one by one instead of consigning them all to an auction house or something like that.
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