Fixing a brass crossguard to blade?

J

Jeff Michaud

Joined
Sep 9, 2006
Messages
34
Howdy all. Would appreciate feedback on how to fix two antique swords I just got from China. The crossguards are brass, and there's a hole through them that's wider than the blade that passes through them. The result is that the guard (or "blood cup" as it's called) wiggles when I practice with them. They just move left and right, but they're secure to the handle. The opening's are about an inch wide, and the blades are like 3/8's. It's not much of a gap, just enough to be annoying. One blade is damascus, and the other a high carbon steel. They're old, and I don't know the exact types of steel. I can unscrew the pommel and handle off to get at the connection where the guard rests on the blade. I just don't know how to fix it properly, or even Mickey Mouse style. I was hoping someone here might know an easy fix that a novice could do to remedy it. I'm in the mountains of CO, and there aren't any metal workers in my area. Is there an adhesive that would work, or maybe a particular sodder? I don't want to try anything before getting an opinion from someone who's in the know. Would greatly appreciate any feedback. Thanks.:confused:
 
You most likely have some of the (many) Chinese replica "antiques" being sold on the internet and Ebay. They are poorly made and the fitting of the parts is sloppy (as you have described).Many aren't even hardened.One supplier states that the hammering makes the steel hard!
Things to tighten up a loose guard would be:
1) Put a spacer in between the guard and the handle to push it tighter to the blade.This is called a Seppa on Japanese blades.Sometimes there is one on both sides of the guard.
2) Put a shim in the gap. This done to tighten Tsuba that are loose.
3) Use a hard filler resin to make the joint tighter.JB weld is the most common.
4) Shorten the tang,by cutting off a small amount (1/4") of the threaded end, to make the assembly tighten up more.This does the same as adding a seppa.

These are some choices to try.
A warning about your blades.Most of the Chinese "antique" swords and knives sold are mainly wall hangers - not for real use. Using them in practice can be very dangerous.
here is a good video of a Chinese sword and its risks:
http://videospark.com/proxus_flv_player/player.php?url=katanaslip.flv&p=5
Stacy
 
JB weld is mainly a PERMENANT fix, meaning you probably wont be able to remove it after JB Welding it. You may want to just take a small round punch and push some of the metal on the back of the guard toward the slot to take up some of the very little side play and put in a seppa washer (spacer) to take up any front to back play.
 
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