Antique blade... roman, celtic, iliria?

Tim Simmons · 13th November 2005, 09:07 PM

Hi, I have read this thread with great interest. The edges of these blades are in an unbelievably good condition for weapons from a BC-AD date when compered to weapons found in celtic grave sites in the Uk. Even centuries later Viking and swords of the middle ages that have been kept in churches do not have as good edges. Also if they were real anything like that here in the Uk would make front page of the national newspaper and I suspect that is the case in most countries world wide. Also if they were real your friend is unbelievably generous as they would be worth a small retirement pension. Tim

TVV · 13th November 2005, 09:46 PM

I asked the Bulgarian antiques salesman about the object, and his explanation about it was so striking and yet so obvious that I am still wondering how none of us thought of it. According to him, this is an old German sharpener steel, quite well made, from the turn of the 19th century. He said that he has seen a few instances, in which other sellers tried to pass it off as a knife (not a Celtic one though, just Medieval). This explanation fits perfectly with the shape of the blade and the hilt. As for the gold: it is possible for a deluxe sharpener steel to have been gold gilded. Not all objects, found in the ground with a metal detector are necessarily thousands of years old. Chances are, this sharpener steel got lost and when your friend picked up its signal with his metal detector and dug it out, it looked really interesting and he simply had no way of knowing what it really was. Check eBay item number 6508316709 for a somewhat similar object.
I am sorry this object is not indeed an ancient dagger or short sword, but at least the good news is that it is not a forgery. It has its own value, which may not be as much as a small retirement pension, but still.
Regards,
Teodor

Miyamoto · 14th November 2005, 08:11 AM

Ok guys!

Thank you verry much for your help!

The facts are evident. I feel a little sad about thatone and also a little dummy

The case is definetly closed

Thanks again!

Rivkin · 3rd December 2005, 07:29 PM

I am probably late, but if it makes you feel better - attached is a typical sarmatian dagger.

3rd December 2005, 07:29 PM	#4
Rivkin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 655	I am probably late, but if it makes you feel better - attached is a typical sarmatian dagger. Attached Images

13th November 2005, 09:07 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	Hi, I have read this thread with great interest. The edges of these blades are in an unbelievably good condition for weapons from a BC-AD date when compered to weapons found in celtic grave sites in the Uk. Even centuries later Viking and swords of the middle ages that have been kept in churches do not have as good edges. Also if they were real anything like that here in the Uk would make front page of the national newspaper and I suspect that is the case in most countries world wide. Also if they were real your friend is unbelievably generous as they would be worth a small retirement pension. Tim

13th November 2005, 09:46 PM	#2
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,666	I asked the Bulgarian antiques salesman about the object, and his explanation about it was so striking and yet so obvious that I am still wondering how none of us thought of it. According to him, this is an old German sharpener steel, quite well made, from the turn of the 19th century. He said that he has seen a few instances, in which other sellers tried to pass it off as a knife (not a Celtic one though, just Medieval). This explanation fits perfectly with the shape of the blade and the hilt. As for the gold: it is possible for a deluxe sharpener steel to have been gold gilded. Not all objects, found in the ground with a metal detector are necessarily thousands of years old. Chances are, this sharpener steel got lost and when your friend picked up its signal with his metal detector and dug it out, it looked really interesting and he simply had no way of knowing what it really was. Check eBay item number 6508316709 for a somewhat similar object. I am sorry this object is not indeed an ancient dagger or short sword, but at least the good news is that it is not a forgery. It has its own value, which may not be as much as a small retirement pension, but still. Regards, Teodor

14th November 2005, 08:11 AM	#3
Miyamoto Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 44	Ok guys! Thank you verry much for your help! The facts are evident. I feel a little sad about thatone and also a little dummy The case is definetly closed Thanks again!