Weird "sword"

Ian · 3rd July 2025, 06:28 AM

Thanks Ed, might well be a tool, but I don't know what it would be used for. Unusual to see a small brass (?) disk guard on a tool, but could be.

RobT · 5th July 2025, 01:32 AM

Ian,

Very interesting piece. I am leaning toward tool. The shape of two prongs would allow them to be used as nail pullers. If the blade were to be thrust forward so that the nail head would catch in the blade/prong notch of the prong nearest the tip, that would serve to raise the nail slightly. The small guard would keep the hand from sliding up the hilt on the thrust. Once the nail was raised (and bent forward slightly by the thrust) the prong/blade notch on the other side could be used to pry the nail out by using the tip as a fulcrum. Take a look at slate roof nail pullers from the 1700s.
Are you sure it is a letter “J”?. When I saw it, the first that came to my mind was a bale hook. What I find interesting about all of the lettering is that it appears to be raised. Is this just the photograph?

Sincerely,
RobT

Ian · 5th July 2025, 02:29 PM

Hi Rob. I'm sure of very little about this item. The markings at forte are cut into the steel. The edges below the two spikes are said to have been sharpened. Any thoughts why?

thomas hauschild · 5th July 2025, 03:55 PM

Modern „clean“ steel is from 1850-1870 or younger. Any older steel should show some laminations / forge-welding visible in the rust. Just an opinion.

Best Thomas

Ian · 6th July 2025, 01:33 AM

Thanks Thomas. I believe I see laminations in the distal end of the blade, above and adjacent to the spikes. The patination more proximally seems very dense and could mask lamination.

ausjulius · 7th July 2025, 12:54 AM

Looks like santaria or some voodoo script to be honest...

Jim McDougall · 7th July 2025, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ausjulius

Looks like santaria or some voodoo script to be honest...

What sort of Santaria script/Voodoo script?

While Africa had its own symbolisms, and Voodoo as well as Santaria evolved from the West African Vodun religion not sure this number (1707) or the 'J' ? have such connections. Do you mean the curious shapes on the blade?
Actually they remind me more of Central African 'throwing knives'......but West Coast Africa had some bizarre shapes on blades in Dahomey (Benin).

5th July 2025, 01:32 AM	#2
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 566	I Vote For Tool Ian, Very interesting piece. I am leaning toward tool. The shape of two prongs would allow them to be used as nail pullers. If the blade were to be thrust forward so that the nail head would catch in the blade/prong notch of the prong nearest the tip, that would serve to raise the nail slightly. The small guard would keep the hand from sliding up the hilt on the thrust. Once the nail was raised (and bent forward slightly by the thrust) the prong/blade notch on the other side could be used to pry the nail out by using the tip as a fulcrum. Take a look at slate roof nail pullers from the 1700s. Are you sure it is a letter “J”?. When I saw it, the first that came to my mind was a bale hook. What I find interesting about all of the lettering is that it appears to be raised. Is this just the photograph? Sincerely, RobT

3rd July 2025, 06:28 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,469	Thanks Ed, might well be a tool, but I don't know what it would be used for. Unusual to see a small brass (?) disk guard on a tool, but could be.

5th July 2025, 02:29 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,469	Hi Rob. I'm sure of very little about this item. The markings at forte are cut into the steel. The edges below the two spikes are said to have been sharpened. Any thoughts why?

5th July 2025, 03:55 PM	#4
thomas hauschild Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Germany Posts: 144	Modern „clean“ steel is from 1850-1870 or younger. Any older steel should show some laminations / forge-welding visible in the rust. Just an opinion. Best Thomas

6th July 2025, 01:33 AM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,469	Thanks Thomas. I believe I see laminations in the distal end of the blade, above and adjacent to the spikes. The patination more proximally seems very dense and could mask lamination.

7th July 2025, 12:54 AM	#6
ausjulius Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: musorian territory Posts: 459	Looks like santaria or some voodoo script to be honest...