Found this in an Old Bank Barn!

froggy1967 · Feb 15, 2010

Found this in an old bank barn years ago. The previous owner of the farm was a doctor in WWII and am curious if it might have come from that time period. The dimensions are 11 3/4" x 5 3/4". I greatly appreciate it if someone could help me identify it. :icon_scratch:

trikikiwi · Feb 15, 2010

No expert here but I suspect you will find that it is MUCH older than that period.

Mike

DoubleUgly · Feb 15, 2010

I agree with Spooky about being a possible replica. It looks pretty old, but the blade pattern looks almost like it was an acid etch as opposed to an engraved or hammered pattern. I'm no expert, though.

Cool find none the less!

BuckleBoy · Feb 16, 2010

The place to post this is the international sword forum. Accounts there are free, and you'll have your answer within 24 hours. They will know exactly what it is.

-Buckles

jimbob450 · Feb 16, 2010

What is a bank barn? Jimbob

Monty · Feb 16, 2010

Letter opener/conversation piece. Monty

taz42o · Feb 16, 2010

jimbob450 said:
What is a bank barn? Jimbob

A bank barn is built into a hillside or has dirt banked up against one side. with entrance on low side into lower level and entrance on high side into second level.

DCMatt · Feb 16, 2010

Monty said:
Letter opener/conversation piece. Monty

I'm with Monty. This looks like a "Made in Mexico" decorative item. My mother had a sword and a mace hanging on the living room wall when I was a kid in the 60's. We used to take them down and play with them when she wasn't home.

This one looks like someone tried to sharpen the end of the blade.

This just my opinion. I'm not an expert.

DCMatt

Hardy · Feb 16, 2010

After yOU FIND OUT WHAT IT IS , PLEASE POST THE RESULTS . I THINK ITS A LETTER OPENER IN THE FASHION OF

A 1400 CENTURY SWORD MFG ABOUT 1900. YET I CAN BE WAY OFF THE MARK ON THIS ONE :read2:

froggy1967 · Feb 16, 2010

Thanks Buckleboy for the website! I have just gotten approved for registration to the sight and will let you guys know what I come up with.

sniffer · Feb 16, 2010

I also think it's a reproduction, the guard is a cast piece, while the hilt is not. plus the chain wrapped hilt doesn't appear
to be from the period, if it was it should be leather
I'm not an expert either, but it just doesn't look right JMO

froggy1967 · Feb 23, 2010

Well....only two responses in the other forum. One says letter opener and the says reproduction 70's. Just seems two big for letter opener! When I get back to my home in Ohio will post pictures comparing size with something and a weight. Thanks everyone again!

Dig em all · Feb 25, 2010

trikikiwi said:
No expert here but I suspect you will find that it is MUCH older than that period.

Mike

i agree with that! looks more mid evil

Blind.In.Texas · Feb 25, 2010

duh, it's a midget's sword

jk.....awesome find. Good luck finding out who made it. Make sure to check for makers marks at the hilt, butt end, and near the hilt on both sides of the blade. You might even need a magnifying glass. Some of those marks are tiiiiiiiiny.

Realistically though, it is probably a reproduction or decorative piece. The blade appears to be made of brass as does the hilt and the rope inlay on the handle. No doubt that it was used quite a bit but, not necessarily for combat. The blade near the hilt is actually worn. Seems to me like an object of that size and material would have been quite heavy and awkard for fighting and would never hold a good edge for long.

I have several letter openers/book marks made of brass and venadium plated brass.

Charlie P. (NY) · Feb 26, 2010

Military and quasi-military institutes used to issue daggers to their cadets. Could be a midshipman's or junior officer's dagger or equivalent. Hard to date as they looked relatively similar from 1850 to 1930. Just a guess.

Aka: "Naval Dirk"