A mysterious Transylvanian sword : a Sino-Japanese influence possible ?

Rick · 30th April 2005, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radu Transylvanicus

Rick, I have a feeling once we get more images, specially of the blade, or more info in a very positive way you will be disapointed, mark my words full of hope ...

You are , no doubt on the hunt my Transylvanian friend .
May you succeed !
I am looking forward to 'disappointment' .

Andrew · 30th April 2005, 10:40 PM

This is such a cool sword, I really do hope you can dig up some photos of the blade, Radu!

The Japanese connection is apparant to me in the tsuba-like guard and the cosmetic "seppa" and "habaki" at the forte. These features do, as Mark has illustrated, appear on some SEA weapons, likely the result of Japanese or, perhaps, Chinese influence.

Some questions: is the handle round in cross-section? It appears to be, albeit flaring towards the pommel. Conical?

Does the blade have a ridge-line, like a shinogi, or is it a wedge cross-section? If a ridge-line is present, the Japanese connection gets ever stronger, and if a wedge, with that flat spine, I'm leaning more and more toward's Mark's theory.

The tip geometry, and blade construction may well decide matters as to influence and/or origin of the blade. Tom's note about the tang may be impossible to ever learn, but would also be very edifying.

Please keep us posted, Radu.

tom hyle · 30th April 2005, 10:43 PM

One often sees transverse grind lines on Asian swords. Usually, though not always, there are longwise ones over them, and they are spotty remnants; uneraddicated deep grind lines. However, this blade appears to have been soft-buffed? The lines aren't ground out; they seem smeared or blurred. Note also the squared spine. The habiki, which seems integral to the guard (?) seems to fit flush, meaning the steel is undercut, all around, and is not inlet at the spine.

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30th April 2005, 10:40 PM	#2
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	This is such a cool sword, I really do hope you can dig up some photos of the blade, Radu! The Japanese connection is apparant to me in the tsuba-like guard and the cosmetic "seppa" and "habaki" at the forte. These features do, as Mark has illustrated, appear on some SEA weapons, likely the result of Japanese or, perhaps, Chinese influence. Some questions: is the handle round in cross-section? It appears to be, albeit flaring towards the pommel. Conical? Does the blade have a ridge-line, like a shinogi, or is it a wedge cross-section? If a ridge-line is present, the Japanese connection gets ever stronger, and if a wedge, with that flat spine, I'm leaning more and more toward's Mark's theory. The tip geometry, and blade construction may well decide matters as to influence and/or origin of the blade. Tom's note about the tang may be impossible to ever learn, but would also be very edifying. Please keep us posted, Radu.

30th April 2005, 10:43 PM	#3
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	One often sees transverse grind lines on Asian swords. Usually, though not always, there are longwise ones over them, and they are spotty remnants; uneraddicated deep grind lines. However, this blade appears to have been soft-buffed? The lines aren't ground out; they seem smeared or blurred. Note also the squared spine. The habiki, which seems integral to the guard (?) seems to fit flush, meaning the steel is undercut, all around, and is not inlet at the spine.