Pietro Hernandez swordmaker

Jim McDougall · 13th July 2014, 09:42 PM

The crescent moon stamp is believed to have originated in Spain and likely some sort of collectively used stamp which augmented the makers mark, perhaps in a guild type sense.
With makers names, in many cases the well renowned names, especially from Toledo, were spuriously used for many generations, and in a way became rather 'brand' names . The famed Sahagun name of smiths of Toledo were used in Solingen in that sense, most of the blades destined for centers in Europe. The Andrea Ferara phenomenon is another case, with most of these blades destined from Germany to Scottish customers. It has been widely disputed whether there was such a person as Andrea Ferara, or whether this was a contrived term for quality (ferara= iron; Andrea, Andrew= good, true) . The Scots associated the term with their patron saint St Andrew.

As you know, Ulfbehrt has similar connotation perspectives and while possibly a workshop name, is not generally held to be a single makers name as I understand.

The origins and meanings of these names are an ever debated and studied subject.

As noted, spellings were often varied as literacy as well as applying names by those who were not necessarily speakers of the language were mitigating factors.

ulfberth · 14th July 2014, 02:58 PM

Hello Jim,

Thanks for sharing your knowledge I just learned something new.

That's the first time I heard the meaning of the Andrea Ferara name and the more I think about it the more it seems possible that is was a brand instead of a name.
I mean thank about it what are the odds that " Ferdinand Porches means " German sportscar " huh ?

I checked the blade today and there is a moon slightly visible on both sides of the ricasso and a stamp I can't define, also there is writing in capital letters on the side of the ricasso and on both sides.

Kind regards

Dirk

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13th July 2014, 09:42 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,857	The crescent moon stamp is believed to have originated in Spain and likely some sort of collectively used stamp which augmented the makers mark, perhaps in a guild type sense. With makers names, in many cases the well renowned names, especially from Toledo, were spuriously used for many generations, and in a way became rather 'brand' names . The famed Sahagun name of smiths of Toledo were used in Solingen in that sense, most of the blades destined for centers in Europe. The Andrea Ferara phenomenon is another case, with most of these blades destined from Germany to Scottish customers. It has been widely disputed whether there was such a person as Andrea Ferara, or whether this was a contrived term for quality (ferara= iron; Andrea, Andrew= good, true) . The Scots associated the term with their patron saint St Andrew. As you know, Ulfbehrt has similar connotation perspectives and while possibly a workshop name, is not generally held to be a single makers name as I understand. The origins and meanings of these names are an ever debated and studied subject. As noted, spellings were often varied as literacy as well as applying names by those who were not necessarily speakers of the language were mitigating factors.

14th July 2014, 02:58 PM	#2
ulfberth Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 447	Hello Jim, Thanks for sharing your knowledge I just learned something new. That's the first time I heard the meaning of the Andrea Ferara name and the more I think about it the more it seems possible that is was a brand instead of a name. I mean thank about it what are the odds that " Ferdinand Porches means " German sportscar " huh ? I checked the blade today and there is a moon slightly visible on both sides of the ricasso and a stamp I can't define, also there is writing in capital letters on the side of the ricasso and on both sides. Kind regards Dirk