What kind of sword is this

[aimsterdam024]

Is this made of bone? Is it just someone's hobbyist type item?

https://imgur.com/a/rW52Td0

Bone? Or something else

The sword is 31 inches long
Almost 4 inches at its widest party

 

[aimsterdam024]

31 inches long 4 inches wide at its widest point.

do I describe it as bone or something else?

Thanks in advance

Aimee H
Spokane wa

https://imgur.com/a/rW52Td0

 

[R.Russell]

I would think there’s blade inside of that thing. Have you tried removing it?

 

[aimsterdam024]

I would think there’s blade inside of that thing. Have you tried removing it?

It's solid. Nothing inside. I thought maybe a sheath also. Solid the entire way through

 

[oldmanwilly]

Polynesians used to make short swords from the "sword" from a sword fish (since they didn't have any metal and had precious little obsidian). I think they were relatively rare and served as a status symbol for leaders in battle.





Yours doesn't appear to be made from the same materials. Maybe yours was an artistic interpretation or homage to the Polynesian weapons? I'm just not sure what material was used in yours, it must have been a big bone.

Edit: on a second look, maybe yours is built from an old swordfish bill. Apparently they can get up to 6ft long, so size may not be a limitation.

 

[oldmanwilly]

Also, I need to point out that you're not allowed to ask for valuation or sell here without having a gold level membership.

Exchange Rules

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www.bladeforums.com

 

[horseclover]

The blade looks genuinely old and I suspect something on the keris family of the South Pacific

Keris Warung Kopi - Ethnographic Arms & Armour

A forum for the study and discussion of keris

www.vikingsword.com

Repurposed guard from an early 19th century naval dirk. I would put the assembly to that timeline. The blade profile looks familiar but it's really out of my studies.

The grip is maybe something marine, like oosik (kinda looks like it). If it is oosik, keep the law in mind.


Per the guidelines, no valuation, at your membership level.

Cheers
GC

 

[Bill Siegle]

The blade is a swordfish bill. The guard is a commercially available one from years ago that you could get from many of the knife making suppliers. Appears to be a home built piece.

 

[SimplyMinded]

Neat. Be a heck of a murder weapon.
"Uh Sarge? Forensics says the killer is a swordfish. I know we're in Wyoming but that's what he said."

 

[aimsterdam024]

The blade looks genuinely old and I suspect something on the keris family of the South Pacific

Keris Warung Kopi - Ethnographic Arms & Armour

A forum for the study and discussion of keris

www.vikingsword.com

Repurposed guard from an early 19th century naval dirk. I would put the assembly to that timeline. The blade profile looks familiar but it's really out of my studies.

The grip is maybe something marine, like oosik (kinda looks like it). If it is oosik, keep the law in mind.


Per the guidelines, no valuation, at your membership level.

Cheers
GC

Is oosik illegal?? Or should I test the waters and throw it on eBay. Ha ha

 

[horseclover]

Is oosik illegal?? Or should I test the waters and throw it on eBay. Ha ha

The US is covered by the The Marine Mammal Protection Act

Internationally, see CITES

 

[jfk1110]

Swordfish bill was the answer supplied by oldmanwilly & Bill Siegle in another thread!!!!

Pretty cool.....

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Yup, swordfish bill knife. I have had a few of them over the years.

Commercial Bowie guard and a dowel handle. Missing the pommel.

 

[SimplyMinded]

Yup, swordfish bill knife. I have had a few of them over the years.

Commercial Bowie guard and a dowel handle. Missing the pommel.

How sharp is one of these? Is it brittle? Could it be used in combat?

 

[horseclover]

Yup, swordfish bill knife. I have had a few of them over the years.

Commercial Bowie guard and a dowel handle. Missing the pommel.

yes, you can see the tang thread

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

How sharp is one of these? Is it brittle? Could it be used in combat?

They have a pretty hard point, but are not anything like steel. There is no sharpness to the edge. As far as combat it would be simply a piercing weapon. A swordfish bill is pretty tough, but the attachment to the handle is often very weak.
The Polynesians used whatever they could find for weapons, as steel was not available. Some of these bill knives and swords were used in hunting, but most are ceremonial.
They rarely had attached handles. The handle was carved into the bill and cord was sometimes wrapped on the handle.


BTW, I saw the ebay add for that sword. The $475 price is stupid crazy.