19thc Indo-Persian or 20thc tourist?

harrywagner · 12th April 2016, 12:50 AM

Hopefully these are better. Here is how the seller described it:

"5 3/8 curved d.e. blade. The front with large chiseled panel incorporating numerous Arabic or Hindi characters, likely identifying the owner and date. Reverse with crisp maker's mark. One piece horn hilt with white metal mounts. Black leather covered scabbard with matching WM mounts".

If it is a tourist item wouldn't you expect to see others similar to this occasionally? They would not make just one, right?

A.alnakkas · 12th April 2016, 05:06 AM

Yes that's not Arabic but obviously who ever wrote it tried to make it seem Arabic. I also think this piece is a tourist piece.

Robert · 12th April 2016, 06:11 AM

I hate to say it, but just by looking at the overall fit and finish of this piece I must also agree that it is a tourist piece. JMHO

Best,
Robert

harrywagner · 12th April 2016, 11:49 AM

Thanks everyone. Comments appreciated.

harrywagner · 12th April 2016, 04:12 PM

I am uncertain if I am allowed to say this or not, but will try. The moderators can remove it if is not allowed.

I purchased this item and the "beater sword" in Michigan. Both were sold as 19thc.

kahnjar1 · 12th April 2016, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harrywagner

I am uncertain if I am allowed to say this or not, but will try. The moderators can remove it if is not allowed.

I purchased this item and the "beater sword" in Michigan. Both were sold as 19thc.

Harry, just a comment which you may or may not take heed of. If you look at many of the listings on a well known website, you will see that there are a lot of items described as older than they actually appear, or in fact are, to try and extract the most from any buyer. IMHO try and stick to reputable/well known sellers either on the internet or elsewhere, and hopefully you will not get stung so often. However it is the buyer who in the end must accept the blame if things are not as they are described. The ultimate of course is to have a "return" agreement so that you can return the item if it is not as you thought.
Collecting is something which establishes knowledge over time, but as has been said before it can be fatal to rush into a purchase without doing your homework first.
Stu

Bob A · 12th April 2016, 09:11 PM

If I might be permitted to add to Kahnjar1's reply, I've found it very useful, as a relative amateur in the field, to spend a lot of time looking at commercial sites which are well known for the quality of their items, and the accuracy of their descriptions. Of course the images on this site are also of great value, though I'm late in arriving here.

While it is impossible to see many of these objects in hand, I've been able to refine my perceptions by front-loading my visual memory with images of the Real Thing. It's surprising in a way to see how that has paid off when perusing sites like the giant internet auction bazaar: fakes and such seem to spring out as I view them.

mariusgmioc · 13th April 2016, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

Harry, just a comment which you may or may not take heed of. If you look at many of the listings on a well known website, you will see that there are a lot of items described as older than they actually appear, or in fact are, to try and extract the most from any buyer. IMHO try and stick to reputable/well known sellers either on the internet or elsewhere, and hopefully you will not get stung so often. However it is the buyer who in the end must accept the blame if things are not as they are described. The ultimate of course is to have a "return" agreement so that you can return the item if it is not as you thought.
Collecting is something which establishes knowledge over time, but as has been said before it can be fatal to rush into a purchase without doing your homework first.
Stu

Well said, tested and proofed on own skin... or better said on own wallet!

Luckily you are wrong on one it is not "fatal" to rush into a purchase without doing your homework, but only costly.

PS: I try to stick to reputable dealers and auction houses but I very often find also them to be wrong when describing and item.

12th April 2016, 12:50 AM	#1
harrywagner Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 373	Hopefully these are better. Here is how the seller described it: "5 3/8 curved d.e. blade. The front with large chiseled panel incorporating numerous Arabic or Hindi characters, likely identifying the owner and date. Reverse with crisp maker's mark. One piece horn hilt with white metal mounts. Black leather covered scabbard with matching WM mounts". If it is a tourist item wouldn't you expect to see others similar to this occasionally? They would not make just one, right? Attached Images

12th April 2016, 04:12 PM	#5
harrywagner Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 373	I am uncertain if I am allowed to say this or not, but will try. The moderators can remove it if is not allowed. I purchased this item and the "beater sword" in Michigan. Both were sold as 19thc. Last edited by Robert; 12th April 2016 at 04:36 PM.

12th April 2016, 05:06 AM	#2
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	Yes that's not Arabic but obviously who ever wrote it tried to make it seem Arabic. I also think this piece is a tourist piece.

12th April 2016, 06:11 AM	#3
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	I hate to say it, but just by looking at the overall fit and finish of this piece I must also agree that it is a tourist piece. JMHO Best, Robert

12th April 2016, 11:49 AM	#4
harrywagner Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 373	Thanks everyone. Comments appreciated.

12th April 2016, 09:11 PM	#7
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 439	If I might be permitted to add to Kahnjar1's reply, I've found it very useful, as a relative amateur in the field, to spend a lot of time looking at commercial sites which are well known for the quality of their items, and the accuracy of their descriptions. Of course the images on this site are also of great value, though I'm late in arriving here. While it is impossible to see many of these objects in hand, I've been able to refine my perceptions by front-loading my visual memory with images of the Real Thing. It's surprising in a way to see how that has paid off when perusing sites like the giant internet auction bazaar: fakes and such seem to spring out as I view them.