Weapon Metallurgy: History and Shoptalk (swords, etc...)

[Von K]

Many interesting posts there Kemp, thanks.

Is the double bladed battleaxe above a ceremonial weapon?

I'll add another sword to this list that was mentioned by John Maddox Roberts in our weapons thread on the old forum, and that's the Pattern 1796 light cavalry sabre. Can't remember whether he said he'd just added one to his collection, or was intending to.

Just then a French officer stooping over the body of one of his countrymen, who dropped the instant on his horse's neck, delivered a thrust at poor Harry Wilson's body; and delivered it effectually. I firmly believe that Wilson died on the instant yet, though he felt the sword in its progress, he, with characteristic self-command, kept his eye on the enemy in his front; and, raising himself in his stirrups, let fall upon the Frenchman's head such a blow, that brass and skull parted before it, and the man's head was cloven asunder to the chin. It was the most tremendous blow I ever beheld struck; and both he who gave, and his opponent who received it, dropped dead together. The brass helmet was afterwards examined by order of a French officer, who, as well as myself, was astonished at the exploit; and the cut was found to be as clean as if the sword had gone through a turnip, not so much as a dint being left on either side of it.

Farmer, George. The Light Dragoon (Ed. George Gleig,, London, 1844) Vol. I, Ch. 4.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pattern_1796_light_cavalry_sabre

[kemp]

May 21, 2018 10:55:10 GMT -5 Von K said:

Many interesting posts there Kemp, thanks.

Is the double bladed battleaxe above a ceremonial weapon?

I'll add another sword to this list that was mentioned by John Maddox Roberts in our weapons thread on the old forum, and that's the Pattern 1796 light cavalry sabre. Can't remember whether he said he'd just added one to his collection, or was intending to.

Just then a French officer stooping over the body of one of his countrymen, who dropped the instant on his horse's neck, delivered a thrust at poor Harry Wilson's body; and delivered it effectually. I firmly believe that Wilson died on the instant yet, though he felt the sword in its progress, he, with characteristic self-command, kept his eye on the enemy in his front; and, raising himself in his stirrups, let fall upon the Frenchman's head such a blow, that brass and skull parted before it, and the man's head was cloven asunder to the chin. It was the most tremendous blow I ever beheld struck; and both he who gave, and his opponent who received it, dropped dead together. The brass helmet was afterwards examined by order of a French officer, who, as well as myself, was astonished at the exploit; and the cut was found to be as clean as if the sword had gone through a turnip, not so much as a dint being left on either side of it.

Farmer, George. The Light Dragoon (Ed. George Gleig,, London, 1844) Vol. I, Ch. 4.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pattern_1796_light_cavalry_sabre

That one was a ceremonial double headed battle axe. I had included it because it looked like something from a heroic fantasy setting. Some of these axes have been described as Indo Persian.


Bavarian Army Museum - An Ottoman Turkish battle axe from the 17th century.
This is something that looks like it was actually used in war.

[kemp]

Von K, there is some brief note in the link that you provided on the cavalry saber to say that the blade profile is similar to that of some of the Indian tulwars. Looking at some of the examples that is something I would agree with.

Indian Tulwar

[Char-Vell]

That's an axe one could shatter some law tablets with!

Nice one!

Thanks!

[Von K]

May 22, 2018 9:14:58 GMT -5 kemp said:

Von K, there is some brief note in the link that you provided on the cavalry saber to say that the blade profile is similar to that of some of the Indian tulwars. Looking at some of the examples that is something I would agree with.

Indian Tulwar

Yes, I agree. Even down to the slight widening at the tip. Wonder how ancient that design truly is.

[kemp]

This video depicts Indonesian blacksmiths from the Indonesian island of Lombok making knives with carved handles depicting snake heads.

The power tool ( apart from a drill ) mostly used by the makers was a small angle grinder with various wheel attachments. Most of the grinding, cutting and sanding was done with this very versatile tool.

Myself, I have noticed the use of the angle grinder in many of the most recent videos to do with southeast Asian bladesmithing. It is a great labour saving device for knife makers finishing up forged blades, especially for those who do not work in ‘modern’ workshops equipped with belt grinders, buffing machines and a drill press.

If watching all the steps in making of the knife is just not your cup of tea you can skip to 23:00 for the close ups of the final product. The Bush Channel people that shot the video claim that it took 4 hours ( start to finish ) to make the knife. Actually, that is not very long, and says a lot about the skill and experience of the craftsmen involved. Truly amazing work.

[kemp]

I have been searching for videos on European/Western smiths forging their blades using traditional techniques and tooling, with minimal power tools used in the process. When I use the term European here, I am including Europeans, Americans and Australians as part of the wider western tradition.

It seems that most of the videos that depict traditional bladesmithing have to do with east Asian blacksmiths. At some point there is a cross over of techniques, tooling and methods, for instance, the style of hammer favoured by Japanese and some Indonesian smiths is called a cutlers hammer in the west, and was used by blacksmiths in cutlery centers like Sheffield, England for centuries. It also went by the name of Dog's head hammer and sawmakers hammer. 



This is a short on Rod Hughes forge. This British bladesmith actually works in a charcoal forge powered by a bellows system in the manner used in the early middle ages. Basically an arrangement where two single chambered bellows are used in tandem, and this was used until the great double chambered bellows replaced ( or at least greatly displayed ) the earlier system in the late middle ages. 

I wish there was an extended version of the video, including Rod Hughes forging away in his Viking forge. 

[kemp]

Here is one on the blacksmith Rod Hughes discussing the use of the knife/short sword Seax in close quarters Viking warfare.

[kemp]

On the subject of doing things the 'old fashioned ' way there is a great video called Knifemaking Unplugged by Tim & Marian Lively.

It covers the making of a knife using a hand cranked powered charcoal forge without the use of any power tools. Myself, I love the addition of a few power tools, but this video is excellent for anyone interested in a minimum forge set up. The dvd is available at Amazon.



www.amazon.com/Knifemaking-Unplugged-Tim-Lively/dp/B000M5AUOY

A youtube promoting the video.

[kemp]

There is also plenty of information online about simple forge set ups.

At a very basic level it doesn't have to be anything more than a hole in the ground, charcoal as fuel, a readily available hair blower and a connecting pipe. The anvil could be a piece of mild steel thick plate screwed down on a tree trunk base, the steel stock for blades can be old used files and leaf spring. Of course, you should wear some safety glasses, ear protection. 

[kemp]

I probably should have added this to the previous posts on the subject of the cutlass, but I recently came across a pic of this old American Civil War Confederate navy cutlass. I might as well share it here now.

[kemp]

An excellent beginners guide to sword making by Will Kalif from epicfantasy. There are other videos with more advanced methods and techniques ( check out the series by Walter Sorrels ). Of course, a novice should first forge and heat treat some smaller knives before attempting sword sized blades. 

How to make a Sword - Complete tutorial




Now this is entertaining, lots of humour, but seriously, this Alec Steele guy is a very skilled bladesmith. 

CAN I MAKE A SWORD IN ONE DAY?!?!



Anyway, enough of me plugging these people. I’m not paid for this

[kemp]

American Civil War swords


Cavalry Saber, Model 1840


Manufactured before the Civil War, and later used by both sides.





1861 Civil War Naval Cutlass

[kemp]

Contrary to our modern idealized view of a sword being crafted from start to finish ( including all the hilt components ) by a single smith in a lonely forge, the vast majority of Medieval and early modern era swords were made by a team of craftsmen in regions and cities ( not always in the same location ) which consolidated and expanded their age old standing and reputation as centers for the production of arms and armor.

Critical factors in the establishment and success of any such center were proximity to water (which would provide energy as well as transport routes) and the availability of metal either from nearby natural supplies or through trade. In these centers, there was often a close relationship between arms makers, armorers, and other related craftsmen such as gold- or silversmiths.

Having said that, some blacksmiths did produce swords from start to finish, but this was the exception rather than the rule, but it did happen.

American Revolutionary War Period blacksmith made sword with triple fullers.



Brass hilt and horn grip



Another revolutionary period blacksmith sword.

[kemp]

American sword made in 1770