The Original Dhu'l-Faqar

[VANDOO]

Originally Posted by Richard Furrer

I obtained a few small samples for a 800-900AD Avar blade for study. The bits are very corroded so it may not yield much, but I will try.
At the right lab you can have a good look at the steel with minimal damage to the object. I am sure that some museum has a few corroded examples slowly rusting away never to see the light of day again.
The trick seems to be having the right benefactor say it needs to be done.

Vandoo:
I suggest looking at the ULFBERHT, Sutton Hoo as well as the Bamburgh Castle sword and the finds of Illerup Adal. It helps paint a broader picture of the skills involved.
You know I was the smith in the NOVA show right?

Ric

I HAD LOST TRACK OF WHO FORGED THE SWORD FOR NOVA "TOO MANY IRONS IN THE FIRE AS USUAL" HOPEFULLY YOU HAVE MORE INTERESTING STUDIES AND WORK IN PROGRESS AS I ENJOYED THE NOVA PROGRAM.
THE ONLY WAY THE STUDIES OF TOPKAPI SWORDS COULD BE DONE WOULD BE IF THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT AND THE MUSEUM WERE INTERESTED IN LETTING THE WORK BE DONE ( AS YOU MENTIONED THE RIGHT BENEFACTOR MIGHT MAKE IT POSSIBLE). IT WOULD NO DOUBT HAVE TO BE UNDER STRICT SUPERVISON MOST LIKELY AT THE MUSEUM. THEY WOULD ALSO DECIDE WHO WROTE THE PAPERS AND WHAT WAS IN THEM CONSIDERING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SWORD BEING STUDIED THAT IS REASONABLE. NO DOUBT THERE WOULD BE THOSE FOR THE STUDY AS WELL AS THOSE OPPOSED TO IT FOR RELIGIOUS REASONS SO AGREEMENT IS NOT LIKELY ON THAT PARTICULAR SWORD.
PERHAPS OTHER SWORDS WITH SIMULAR AGE AND CONSTRUCTION BUT IN RELIC CONDITION COULD BE STUDIED TO SEE THE DIFRENCES AND SIMULARITIES IN METAL AND TECKNIQUE AND DETERMINE IF CRUCIBLE STEEL WAS USED AND AN APPROXIMATE TIME FRAME FOR THE TECKNIQUES DISCOVERY. IT WOULD BE A INTERESTING PROJECT AND I AM SURE MUCH COULD BE LEARNED.