A strongly curved Flank Officer's sword

fernando · 23rd December 2018, 06:35 PM

Call it mathematics, geometry ... whatever.
The sword smith, whether an engineer or a village illiterate (like me) ought to thoroughly negotiate these (call them perfect) round lines; specially if there is no slot at the scabbard throat to compensate for those (call them imperfect) ones.
I take it that there are ancient practical methods to resolve these issues without any scholarship, though. Something like building an aqueduct without ending up with the water stopping to run half way to its end; do you know the trick ?
But i digress

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Jim McDougall · 23rd December 2018, 07:21 PM

Exactly! Geometry, math whatever, and not sure if my engineering skills'(?) are up to the aqueduct thing. But the thing is, this incredible curve and this scabbard seem to me to be daunting...…..this ain't exactly 'quick draw' !!
I think of the horsemen in the Caucusus, and that they wore their shashkas with blade up, so that the sabre as withdrawn would go directly to the slashing draw cut. in one sweep.

Regardless, in field 'innovation' men could pretty much make anything work as best as it could. The main axiom in consideration is that there are really no hard and fast rules set for these matters, and the intrigue is in studying the variations and incidental cases.

kronckew · 24th December 2018, 08:54 AM

Romans also lined their aqueducts with concrete of a much better grade than we use. it was waterproof, and even could set under water. They also could make water run up hill without pumps*! Concrete (and stone) is crap in tension, so they always designed their buildings so concrete was never in tension. Our 'modern' re-enforced concrete usually only lasts a few decades, water seeps in and rusts the rebar. rust takes up more room than steel, so internal pressures crack the concrete, and it eventually fails. The Parthenon in Rome has been around for a couple millenia, it's huge concrete dome has NO rebar, and we'd struggle to duplicate it and it's life even now.

They were quite aware that too steep an incline of the duct was as bad as too shallow. Too shallow, not enough flow, too steep and water velocity for the desired flow rate can increase pressures in directional changes. The water effectively jamming or blowing out the system. They also covered the ducting to prevent evaporation. They also tunnelled through rock from both sides, usually meeting with very little offset (but not always!)

*- http://www.romanaqueducts.info/pictu...pen/siphon.htm

p.s.- Fernandos example could use a wheel on the chape drag

Richard G · 28th December 2018, 01:19 PM

To return to the fashionable aspect - I think we need to consider the number of volunteer and militia units there were in the UK during the Napoleonic wars. Their purpose was home defence in the event of an invasion and a certain amount of internal peace-keeping. They were not expected to be sent abroad. For most of the wars these out-numbered the regular army.
My point is that officering these units was a patriotic and fashionable thing to do, not even requiring military experience, and without the fear of imminent combat there was ample opportunity for flamboyance and a peacockery.
Regards
Richard

Jim McDougall · 28th December 2018, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard G

To return to the fashionable aspect - I think we need to consider the number of volunteer and militia units there were in the UK during the Napoleonic wars. Their purpose was home defence in the event of an invasion and a certain amount of internal peace-keeping. They were not expected to be sent abroad. For most of the wars these out-numbered the regular army.
My point is that officering these units was a patriotic and fashionable thing to do, not even requiring military experience, and without the fear of imminent combat there was ample opportunity for flamboyance and a peacockery.
Regards
Richard

Well noted Richard...…….most of these guys were high end gentry, and all manner of well heeled station. It seems a lot like the 'hunting sword' theme of court and dress swords, a lot of embellishment and fashion in hilts, blades and scabbards. All about impression and status. Kinda the 'Beau Brummel' syndrome I guess

23rd December 2018, 06:35 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Call it mathematics, geometry ... whatever. The sword smith, whether an engineer or a village illiterate (like me) ought to thoroughly negotiate these (call them perfect) round lines; specially if there is no slot at the scabbard throat to compensate for those (call them imperfect) ones. I take it that there are ancient practical methods to resolve these issues without any scholarship, though. Something like building an aqueduct without ending up with the water stopping to run half way to its end; do you know the trick ? But i digress . . Attached Images

24th December 2018, 08:54 AM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,224	Romans also lined their aqueducts with concrete of a much better grade than we use. it was waterproof, and even could set under water. They also could make water run up hill without pumps! Concrete (and stone) is crap in tension, so they always designed their buildings so concrete was never in tension. Our 'modern' re-enforced concrete usually only lasts a few decades, water seeps in and rusts the rebar. rust takes up more room than steel, so internal pressures crack the concrete, and it eventually fails. The Parthenon in Rome has been around for a couple millenia, it's huge concrete dome has NO rebar, and we'd struggle to duplicate it and it's life even now. They were quite aware that too steep an incline of the duct was as bad as too shallow. Too shallow, not enough flow, too steep and water velocity for the desired flow rate can increase pressures in directional changes. The water effectively jamming or blowing out the system. They also covered the ducting to prevent evaporation. They also tunnelled through rock from both sides, usually meeting with very little offset (but not always!) - http://www.romanaqueducts.info/pictu...pen/siphon.htm p.s.- Fernandos example could use a wheel on the chape drag Last edited by kronckew; 24th December 2018 at 09:16 AM.

23rd December 2018, 07:21 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Exactly! Geometry, math whatever, and not sure if my engineering skills'(?) are up to the aqueduct thing. But the thing is, this incredible curve and this scabbard seem to me to be daunting...…..this ain't exactly 'quick draw' !! I think of the horsemen in the Caucusus, and that they wore their shashkas with blade up, so that the sabre as withdrawn would go directly to the slashing draw cut. in one sweep. Regardless, in field 'innovation' men could pretty much make anything work as best as it could. The main axiom in consideration is that there are really no hard and fast rules set for these matters, and the intrigue is in studying the variations and incidental cases.

28th December 2018, 01:19 PM	#4
Richard G Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 411	To return to the fashionable aspect - I think we need to consider the number of volunteer and militia units there were in the UK during the Napoleonic wars. Their purpose was home defence in the event of an invasion and a certain amount of internal peace-keeping. They were not expected to be sent abroad. For most of the wars these out-numbered the regular army. My point is that officering these units was a patriotic and fashionable thing to do, not even requiring military experience, and without the fear of imminent combat there was ample opportunity for flamboyance and a peacockery. Regards Richard