Portuguese navigator sword for comments

Reventlov · 16th February 2018, 02:33 PM

Does anyone (Fernando?) recognize this sword shown on the cover of another of Daehnhardt's books, and have any more information about it? I could not find an image credit in the few pages available online as a preview...

https://issuu.com/apeironprojecto/docs/enigma

Mark

fernando · 16th February 2018, 04:19 PM

Hi Mark,

I am not so keen in memorizing specific items, and i don't see this one in Daehnhardt's books, namely "Homens Espadas e Tomates", where he shows a few specimens and typifies a few styles in drawings. But i wouldn't doubt this one also belongs (or belonged) in his collection.
I have just bought a copy of this book you mention, for a cheap price (used ?). The only chance is that he mentions the sword inside the cover.

Reventlov · 16th February 2018, 09:08 PM

Obrigado, Fernando.

fernando · 22nd February 2018, 11:12 AM

The book has arrived. The sword is magnificent.
Not much detail on its provenance, except for the observation (in text) that it is from the period of this navigator (beg. XVI century).
I will try and get further detail through some source.

.

Reventlov · 22nd February 2018, 02:32 PM

Thank you again, Fernando! The form of the hilt is familiar of course, but the surface decoration seems very different from other swords of this type...

kronckew · 22nd February 2018, 02:53 PM

Interesting, the ricasso area on one side is radiused , i'm guessing for a finger over the guard, tho the protective ring on that side seems to have been broken off...

fernando · 22nd February 2018, 04:02 PM

So i got an answer from my source, which humble translation follows:

"This is a sword of Portuguese fabrication, of the transition XV to XVI century, more specificaly speaking betwen 1495-1520, therefore purely "Manuelina" (1495-1521). Pommel and guard are from the same artist, well sculpted and very well embedded in silver. One of the button guards is missing, but it is not restored, as it is preferred to stay as it is. The blade is from one of the German smiths who then worked in Lisbon. Its inscription is characteristic: “ JVAN DE ALEMÃO” , that is “ João o Alemão” or “JOHANN DER DEUTSCHE”. The blade has a recess in the ricasso to lodge the index finger. An excelent combat sword, both fit fo thrust and cut, used by a person of social status, once it should have been rather expensive in the period. The pommel shape most modern for the period, already with the initial renaissance features, thus abandoning the late gothic. It shows a good blend of Portuguese and German sword, as it was appreciated in Lisbon at the time. "

fernando · 22nd February 2018, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

... tho the protective ring on that side seems to have been broken off...

Nothing you miss, Wayne

.

16th February 2018, 02:33 PM	#1
Reventlov Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 138	Does anyone (Fernando?) recognize this sword shown on the cover of another of Daehnhardt's books, and have any more information about it? I could not find an image credit in the few pages available online as a preview... https://issuu.com/apeironprojecto/docs/enigma Mark Attached Images

22nd February 2018, 11:12 AM	#4
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	The book has arrived. The sword is magnificent. Not much detail on its provenance, except for the observation (in text) that it is from the period of this navigator (beg. XVI century). I will try and get further detail through some source. . Attached Images

16th February 2018, 04:19 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Hi Mark, I am not so keen in memorizing specific items, and i don't see this one in Daehnhardt's books, namely "Homens Espadas e Tomates", where he shows a few specimens and typifies a few styles in drawings. But i wouldn't doubt this one also belongs (or belonged) in his collection. I have just bought a copy of this book you mention, for a cheap price (used ?). The only chance is that he mentions the sword inside the cover.

16th February 2018, 09:08 PM	#3
Reventlov Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 138	Obrigado, Fernando.

22nd February 2018, 02:32 PM	#5
Reventlov Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 138	Thank you again, Fernando! The form of the hilt is familiar of course, but the surface decoration seems very different from other swords of this type...

22nd February 2018, 02:53 PM	#6
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,239	Interesting, the ricasso area on one side is radiused , i'm guessing for a finger over the guard, tho the protective ring on that side seems to have been broken off...

22nd February 2018, 04:02 PM	#7
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	So i got an answer from my source, which humble translation follows: "This is a sword of Portuguese fabrication, of the transition XV to XVI century, more specificaly speaking betwen 1495-1520, therefore purely "Manuelina" (1495-1521). Pommel and guard are from the same artist, well sculpted and very well embedded in silver. One of the button guards is missing, but it is not restored, as it is preferred to stay as it is. The blade is from one of the German smiths who then worked in Lisbon. Its inscription is characteristic: “ JVAN DE ALEMÃO” , that is “ João o Alemão” or “JOHANN DER DEUTSCHE”. The blade has a recess in the ricasso to lodge the index finger. An excelent combat sword, both fit fo thrust and cut, used by a person of social status, once it should have been rather expensive in the period. The pommel shape most modern for the period, already with the initial renaissance features, thus abandoning the late gothic. It shows a good blend of Portuguese and German sword, as it was appreciated in Lisbon at the time. "