Luristan bronze sword
 

Acquired this recently, described as a Luristan bronze sword. It has a grip with a face on the pommel and on the bolster. Fairly thin, prominant raised central rib, not sharp.

I suspect it may not be original, but i'd like confirmation one way or another.

id say that's a fake one for sure.

I will flip through a few books I have and see if I find any similar forms - it doesn't bring up any memories. The patina can provide some clues: pale green and "powdery" is suspicious; darker green and crystalline supports hopefulness.

Here is the surface of a 3000 year old Luristan bronze dagger that clearly has seen some cleaning:

The sword seems to have a mix of colours, the grip is mostly a worn shiny black, especially on the side opposite the faces. Parts of the blade you can see the bronze colour under the start of a shined brownish oxidation, there are ares that look like chrome polish was used to clean it, white residue.

More photos:

More More:

The formation of the masks on the hilt is quite different in style and orientation from examples I could find in my limited library. I had thought the very narrow midrib and its termination unlikely, but I found a very similar, though better executed, example on a long dagger in Khorasani's massive tome on Iranian arms. Worrisome that the patina stays the same over areas of the midrib that appear deeply scraped.

Almost certainly a tourist item.

Wayne, I'm going to join the chorus of those who think this is a decorative item made well within the last century, and has been "manipulated' to appear older. I won't discuss the features that are "wrong" on this one because those who make these deceptive versions can adapt their methods to overcome flaws in their work. Let's just say the patina and wear with age are unconvincing.