16th Century Dusack (Dussack, Tesak)

shayde78 · 20th July 2026, 09:19 PM

Hello everyone,

I hope you're doing well. For those I've chatted with in the past, I've missed you and I'm glad to be back. It has been a while since I have posted (life has a tendency to keep me away from this part of the hobby, it seems).

However, I recently acquired what may now be the nicest piece in my collection.

The auction site listed this as "contemporary" and referenced "artificial aging". However, my assessment is that is is a true 16th (or early 17th) century Dusack, despite the less than expected hammer price.

I still need to take my standard measurements, and the pictures below are the seller's, but it was listed with the following dimensions: 8.5" Width (Quillions) x 4.25" D x 35.0" Length.

I think it is nearly all original. The grip wire looks a bit too perfect to be original, but if replaced, they did a wonderful job.

Michael D. Long has a very similar piece on their site (it is sold, so I hope it is OK to link to it). My piece has more a decorative pommel and finials. However, the blade is identical (albeit with different maker marks).

I would love to get your impressions of this piece. If it is indeed a reproduction (as the auction company stated), the amount of hours that went into making it are staggering because i don't see any evidence of modern techniques.

It is heavy (again, I'll post stats like weight, dimensions, point-of-balance soon), but it is well balanced in the hand.

Oh, and because it is fun to think of connections to events of the past, this bears a striking resemblance to the sword depicted in the hand of François l'Olonnais, the brutal pirate, as shown in the woodcut in Alexandre Exquemelin's 1684 account "The History of the Buccaneers of America". He was active in the 1660s and the book was published in the 1680s, so who knows if something similar would have been carried at sea. But, since this was sold as part of a "Maritime History" auction, it may have been collected as such.

(additional key words to aid search results - dusack, dusäck, dussack, dysack, tesak, tuseckn, thuseckn, disackn, dusägge, dusegge, dusegg, sinclair)

M ELEY · 20th July 2026, 10:43 PM

l'Olonnais! If you bring up pirates or buccaneers, you've got my attention! Absolutely amazing dussack! While I am but a novice in this particular area, the piece looks absolutely right to me. I've seen many tesacs offered on other sites that are too 'minty' and display no signs of real aging. While this piece has been polished up a bit in the past, it has the micro-pitting to the blade one wants to see. Inside the shell guard, one sees the rich dark patina that hasn't seen any polishing. While the finials are crisp, they display some worn aging and don't look recently manufactured. The blade tip has the wearing one expects to see on a sword of this age. Now I'll step aside and let the big kids come in with a clearer opinion! Hey, now that you have at least 2 of these, if you ever consider parting with one, let me know! These types were a favorite with the pirates and privateers of yore (my specialty)-

shayde78 · 21st July 2026, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M ELEY

l'Olonnais! If you bring up pirates or buccaneers, you've got my attention! Absolutely amazing dussack!-

Mark!

The pirate reference was 100% to get your attention. Thank you for breaking the ice and for your initial impression. Your thoughts are much the same as mine and I'm less an expert than you so its validating.

Hope you're well,
-Rob

Copycat · 22nd July 2026, 08:23 PM

It's modern. 19th century or younger. No need to be an expert to see this. Just compare it with originals. Plenty of subtle differences.

Still a nice piece.

Tordenskiold1721 · 25th July 2026, 08:39 PM

When only having photos and not the opportunity to have the item in hand, I would say its a very nice example that has been overcleaned at one stage in its life.

When claiming that an item is a copy rather than overcleaned. The follow up question is why ?
What is the indicators ?
Who makes this copies ?
Circle around the parts that clearly shows that the item is new and explain why it is new.

Propper metal surgical assessment can not be done on photos alone. Lack of metal impurities alone is not evidence of a copy for this period.

Below is one of mine that has seen some overcleaning, with a slightly short blade, also heavy but well balanced.

As the starter of this interesting thread I also left this forum some years ago, not because of loss of collecting interest, but to many unsubstantiated statements. It just was not fun to contribute here for this reason.

Copycat · 26th July 2026, 12:50 AM

It was sold as a copy, so that's an indicator.

No one is asking for the "why" in this topic. There is no need to explain if people are not interested.

The example of Michael D. Long is also not good. The whole hilt looks replaced, instead of only the wiring.

Modern looking on the example of OP:
The ricasso
The bars in the hilt.
The pommel
Dot decoration

The blade and false edge also look off, but I need better pictures.

Compare the Hilt with pictures from users. Similar design, but original.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...6&postcount=29
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...2&postcount=30

shayde78 · Today, 12:24 AM

Thanks for weighing in Tordens and Copy. I think the "why" is always expected here, so thank you for offering some thoughts. Also, beautiful piece, Tordens!

I habe additional pictures but it seems they're too large to upload. I'll have to resize them when I have time and post here. I'll also post additional sources that I used with pieces attributed to the 16th/17th century with some shared features.

Also, the auction site that listed this as "contemporary" also listed the authentic Pappenheim I was able to aquire as a "reproduction basket hilt" and sold it in a lot with a tourist El Cid sword, so their assessment is always suspect (and potentially beneficial to me).

As asked, if you know of anyone who was making reproduction of this quality, let us know. Because they are an expert bladesmith and master hilt maker and the labor costs for master craftsmen to make a reproduction like this would far exceed what I paid.

Thanks again,
-Rob

Triarii · Today, 01:05 PM

There are people making very nice repros of these, and other swords with exquisite detail to the hilts, but the one I know is a bit of a one man band from the Czech Republic. I have a simpler one.

However, the blade on yours certainly looks original, though the hilt has been well cleaned.
Older swords generally show hilt wear in two key places which matches experience of carrying reenactment swords; the top of the pommel, where a hand often rests on it, and the inner edges of the guard, where it rubs against the waistbelt / baldrick and your clothes.

Copycat · Today, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shayde78

Thanks for weighing in Tordens and Copy. I think the "why" is always expected here, so thank you for offering some thoughts. Also, beautiful piece, Tordens!

I habe additional pictures but it seems they're too large to upload. I'll have to resize them when I have time and post here. I'll also post additional sources that I used with pieces attributed to the 16th/17th century with some shared features.

Also, the auction site that listed this as "contemporary" also listed the authentic Pappenheim I was able to aquire as a "reproduction basket hilt" and sold it in a lot with a tourist El Cid sword, so their assessment is always suspect (and potentially beneficial to me).

As asked, if you know of anyone who was making reproduction of this quality, let us know. Because they are an expert bladesmith and master hilt maker and the labor costs for master craftsmen to make a reproduction like this would far exceed what I paid.

Thanks again,
-Rob

Please share better pictures.

Here is a beautiful sword made recently. There are plenty more. Unfortunately, I do not know their motives. Even as a copy, it's still worth a lot.

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-l...OqvZt9GtyOCF0d

shayde78 · Today, 07:14 PM

Here are some photos I was able to take in decent lighting Sunday

shayde78 · Today, 07:20 PM

apologies if any pics are posted twice. I also included a reference from a book (Weland's 'Sword Daggers and Cutlasses', 1991) that shows a representative example that I used to compare before bidding on the piece in question. Besides the Michael D. Long example, I had found another previously sold piece and I'm looking for that link, now.

Copycat · Today, 08:24 PM

Thank you for the pictures. They are much more clear then the first pictures. The uniform pitting is a sign of artificial aging. Natural pitting is varied with clear steel, deep pitting and wide pitting. The false edge should be sharp right away and not gradually.

The examples in your books are tricky. They are museum examples, shot from a distance and one dimensional. The blackened hilt makes observation even more difficult.

But even then, you should still see the difference with the bars. They do not have the same diameter along their length.

I stand with with my previous assessment.The blades mark might be genuine from a contemporary smith.

20th July 2026, 09:19 PM	#1
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 450	16th Century Dusack (Dussack, Tesak) Hello everyone, I hope you're doing well. For those I've chatted with in the past, I've missed you and I'm glad to be back. It has been a while since I have posted (life has a tendency to keep me away from this part of the hobby, it seems). However, I recently acquired what may now be the nicest piece in my collection. The auction site listed this as "contemporary" and referenced "artificial aging". However, my assessment is that is is a true 16th (or early 17th) century Dusack, despite the less than expected hammer price. I still need to take my standard measurements, and the pictures below are the seller's, but it was listed with the following dimensions: 8.5" Width (Quillions) x 4.25" D x 35.0" Length. I think it is nearly all original. The grip wire looks a bit too perfect to be original, but if replaced, they did a wonderful job. Michael D. Long has a very similar piece on their site (it is sold, so I hope it is OK to link to it). My piece has more a decorative pommel and finials. However, the blade is identical (albeit with different maker marks). I would love to get your impressions of this piece. If it is indeed a reproduction (as the auction company stated), the amount of hours that went into making it are staggering because i don't see any evidence of modern techniques. It is heavy (again, I'll post stats like weight, dimensions, point-of-balance soon), but it is well balanced in the hand. Oh, and because it is fun to think of connections to events of the past, this bears a striking resemblance to the sword depicted in the hand of François l'Olonnais, the brutal pirate, as shown in the woodcut in Alexandre Exquemelin's 1684 account "The History of the Buccaneers of America". He was active in the 1660s and the book was published in the 1680s, so who knows if something similar would have been carried at sea. But, since this was sold as part of a "Maritime History" auction, it may have been collected as such. (additional key words to aid search results - dusack, dusäck, dussack, dysack, tesak, tuseckn, thuseckn, disackn, dusägge, dusegge, dusegg, sinclair) Attached Images

25th July 2026, 08:39 PM	#5
Tordenskiold1721 Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 74	When only having photos and not the opportunity to have the item in hand, I would say its a very nice example that has been overcleaned at one stage in its life. When claiming that an item is a copy rather than overcleaned. The follow up question is why ? What is the indicators ? Who makes this copies ? Circle around the parts that clearly shows that the item is new and explain why it is new. Propper metal surgical assessment can not be done on photos alone. Lack of metal impurities alone is not evidence of a copy for this period. Below is one of mine that has seen some overcleaning, with a slightly short blade, also heavy but well balanced. As the starter of this interesting thread I also left this forum some years ago, not because of loss of collecting interest, but to many unsubstantiated statements. It just was not fun to contribute here for this reason. Attached Images

Today, 01:05 PM	#8
Triarii Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Bristol Posts: 167	There are people making very nice repros of these, and other swords with exquisite detail to the hilts, but the one I know is a bit of a one man band from the Czech Republic. I have a simpler one. However, the blade on yours certainly looks original, though the hilt has been well cleaned. Older swords generally show hilt wear in two key places which matches experience of carrying reenactment swords; the top of the pommel, where a hand often rests on it, and the inner edges of the guard, where it rubs against the waistbelt / baldrick and your clothes. Attached Images

Today, 07:14 PM	#10
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 450	Some additional pics taken by me Here are some photos I was able to take in decent lighting Sunday Attached Images

Today, 07:20 PM	#11
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 450	additional pics apologies if any pics are posted twice. I also included a reference from a book (Weland's 'Sword Daggers and Cutlasses', 1991) that shows a representative example that I used to compare before bidding on the piece in question. Besides the Michael D. Long example, I had found another previously sold piece and I'm looking for that link, now. Attached Images

20th July 2026, 10:43 PM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,236	l'Olonnais! If you bring up pirates or buccaneers, you've got my attention! Absolutely amazing dussack! While I am but a novice in this particular area, the piece looks absolutely right to me. I've seen many tesacs offered on other sites that are too 'minty' and display no signs of real aging. While this piece has been polished up a bit in the past, it has the micro-pitting to the blade one wants to see. Inside the shell guard, one sees the rich dark patina that hasn't seen any polishing. While the finials are crisp, they display some worn aging and don't look recently manufactured. The blade tip has the wearing one expects to see on a sword of this age. Now I'll step aside and let the big kids come in with a clearer opinion! Hey, now that you have at least 2 of these, if you ever consider parting with one, let me know! These types were a favorite with the pirates and privateers of yore (my specialty)-

22nd July 2026, 08:23 PM	#4
Copycat Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Posts: 46	It's modern. 19th century or younger. No need to be an expert to see this. Just compare it with originals. Plenty of subtle differences. Still a nice piece.

26th July 2026, 12:50 AM	#6
Copycat Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Posts: 46	It was sold as a copy, so that's an indicator. No one is asking for the "why" in this topic. There is no need to explain if people are not interested. The example of Michael D. Long is also not good. The whole hilt looks replaced, instead of only the wiring. Modern looking on the example of OP: The ricasso The bars in the hilt. The pommel Dot decoration The blade and false edge also look off, but I need better pictures. Compare the Hilt with pictures from users. Similar design, but original. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...6&postcount=29 http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...2&postcount=30

Today, 12:24 AM	#7
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 450	Thanks for weighing in Tordens and Copy. I think the "why" is always expected here, so thank you for offering some thoughts. Also, beautiful piece, Tordens! I habe additional pictures but it seems they're too large to upload. I'll have to resize them when I have time and post here. I'll also post additional sources that I used with pieces attributed to the 16th/17th century with some shared features. Also, the auction site that listed this as "contemporary" also listed the authentic Pappenheim I was able to aquire as a "reproduction basket hilt" and sold it in a lot with a tourist El Cid sword, so their assessment is always suspect (and potentially beneficial to me). As asked, if you know of anyone who was making reproduction of this quality, let us know. Because they are an expert bladesmith and master hilt maker and the labor costs for master craftsmen to make a reproduction like this would far exceed what I paid. Thanks again, -Rob

Today, 08:24 PM	#12
Copycat Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Posts: 46	Thank you for the pictures. They are much more clear then the first pictures. The uniform pitting is a sign of artificial aging. Natural pitting is varied with clear steel, deep pitting and wide pitting. The false edge should be sharp right away and not gradually. The examples in your books are tricky. They are museum examples, shot from a distance and one dimensional. The blackened hilt makes observation even more difficult. But even then, you should still see the difference with the bars. They do not have the same diameter along their length. I stand with with my previous assessment.The blades mark might be genuine from a contemporary smith.