Blade fragment (updated - update)

DavidBeard

DavidBeard

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Dec 27, 2008
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Derbyshire
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Hi All,
Been having a dig in Mick's top field - found this 'Blade' fragment, 28mm x 18mm. Super smooth surface, central rib along both sides, copper or bronze alloy?, side view shows the thin exterior layer different to the less-dense middle.
Knife or sword?
Roman or earlier?
Here are the pics:

Blade-Fragment-1.jpg

Blade-Fragment-2.jpg

Blade-Fragment-3.jpg

Blade-Fragment-4.jpg

Blade-Fragment-5.jpg
 

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Re: Blade fragment

At first glance I thought Bronze Age :o

However, I'm beginning to think pot fragment, the edges look broken off? or does it come to a sharp edge?

Also looks part of a large Crotal Bell. (PS. discount this one, as ribbed on both sides) :dontknow:


What bothers me about it being a blade is the cross-section shows a very weak structure.
 

Re: Blade fragment

Yes It looks like a blade fragment, go out and find the rest. :thumbsup:

Interesting find. :)
 

Re: Blade fragment

:hello:David

I have found Bronze pieces like yours over the years :P and have thought the same, but I don't think it's weapon related :read2:proberbly like Cru said part of a pot or something :dontknow:

the edges would have tappered to a finer cutting edge and would have been ragged with age, could be part of a cooking pot leg :P

but finding bronze fragments like that prooves you are in the right area :thumbsup:

SS
 

Re: Blade fragment

Silver Searcher said:
:hello:David

but finding bronze fragments like that prooves you are in the right area :thumbsup:

SS
Click to expand...

definately a good sign of things to come :icon_thumright:
 

Re: Blade fragment

Rather than blade itself, maybe the decorative portion of handle?

Kind of Saxon/viking look to it.
 

Re: Blade fragment

Silver Searcher said:
...I have found Bronze pieces like yours over the years :P and have thought the same...
Click to expand...
Did you have your pieces looked at by the Museum Silver Searcher? Our Museum think this is probably a Bronze Age sword or rapier fragment (or possibly spear-head fragment) - which would be a very significant find for this area. I'll know more in October.
Will keep you informed.
 

Re: Blade fragment

Nice one David! I hope it turns out to be bronze age, that would be a special find!

Did you get anything else?
 

Re: Blade fragment

CRUSADER said:
At first glance I thought Bronze Age :o

However, I'm beginning to think pot fragment, the edges look broken off? or does it come to a sharp edge?

Also looks part of a large Crotal Bell. (PS. discount this one, as ribbed on both sides) :dontknow:


What bothers me about it being a blade is the cross-section shows a very weak structure.
Click to expand...

Crusader, I know nothing about bronze age weapons and can only speak objectively, but it may be that the weak structure (bubbles in the casting) were the reason this broke to begin with? As well, despite there not appearing to be a sharp edge, the cross section gives an idea of the original the symetry, and in the state is it in now that symetry is very off balance, further showing perhaps that much of the edges may be deteriorated or worn away?
 

Re: Blade fragment

DavidBeard said:
Silver Searcher said:
...I have found Bronze pieces like yours over the years :P and have thought the same...
Click to expand...
Did you have your pieces looked at by the Museum Silver Searcher? Our Museum think this is probably a Bronze Age sword or rapier fragment (or possibly spear-head fragment) - which would be a very significant find for this area. I'll know more in October.
Will keep you informed.
Click to expand...
Spear head fragment, maybe. Bronze Age Dirk or sword fragment it isn't.
 

Re: Blade fragment

johnnyi said:
CRUSADER said:
At first glance I thought Bronze Age :o

However, I'm beginning to think pot fragment, the edges look broken off? or does it come to a sharp edge?

Also looks part of a large Crotal Bell. (PS. discount this one, as ribbed on both sides) :dontknow:


What bothers me about it being a blade is the cross-section shows a very weak structure.
Click to expand...

Crusader, I know nothing about bronze age weapons and can only speak objectively, but it may be that the weak structure (bubbles in the casting) were the reason this broke to begin with? As well, despite there not appearing to be a sharp edge, the cross section gives an idea of the original the symetry, and in the state is it in now that symetry is very off balance, further showing perhaps that much of the edges may be deteriorated or worn away?
Click to expand...
Symetry is very off balance :icon_scratch: wouldn't be much good as a spear then :P

I'm with Cru on this one :) but David I hope I and Cru are wrong :thumbsup:

SS
 

Re: Blade fragment (updated)

Its Official :hello2:
Just got back in after the 'Derby Artifacts Recovery Club' meeting with 'Derby Museum'.
The 'Blade Fragment' is indeed a Bronze Age Dagger or Rapier blade fragment - around 3000 years old. Hoping to get a picture/diagram of how it would have looked with its edge intact.
Its now been taken off my hands and being scrutinised in the vaults of the museum.
Hopefully I'll find more parts of it over the coming years.
Sorry to disappoint about the 'Cooking Pot Leg' theory but the idea did get a few laughs!
Speak soon,
Best wishes.
David
x
 

Re: Blade fragment (updated)

Congrats David :icon_thumleft:

Is there anything you can do about the page going wide?
 

Re: Blade fragment (updated)

Yeah - its wide on my PC too,
I think its the fault of that long link being placed there in an earlier post.
No, I can't change that - only the guy who posted the link can.
Shouldn't you be in bed this time of night???
 

Re: Blade fragment (updated)

my mums gone out :D
 

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