This just great and the reason I love this forum! I saw the post with no responses earlier and almost sent a post asking if this was for real, because something wasn't just right. And look what you did, answered just what I wanted to know! This is just great guys!

:D I was thinking about something like Nazi-era germanic history fake, when he says it show up 1954 :D :cool:

Edit: 1952 to 1954 :cool:

In any case, the engraving does attract the eye (my eye at least). It might even look good on a new blade (or one in better condidtion). Especially if it was inlayed. Clearly this wasn't though since there isn't a scrap of whatever might have been inlayed left. One thing though, it dosen't look too Germanic to me. It looks a little more Halstadt (sp?) the way it flows. I could be wrong though.

Are there any known viking or migration peices from history which have engravings like this, meaning not runes?

At the current bid price, are they making any money, with all the work that went into cooking that thing up?? :confused:

I must say, I'm rather taken by the wave design, regardless. It reminds me of........what's that period manuscript with the wavy, flame-like fullers in the swords?

Thanks for the support guys! I was feeling quite embarassed...


In answer to J. Padgett's comment, I don't believe that the sword's appearance on eBay, where a few genuine viking-era swords have been sold over the years (there's another on there now which appears somewhat less questionable), nor the fact that it has never appeared in one of Oakeshott's books should necessarily flag this one as being a fake. There are a great number of undocumented swords in the world, and as those who discover such swords today can make a far greater profit by selling to private collectors, and may risk losing their claim to the artifact by presenting it to a museum or university, it is likely to remain so. I'm certain that there are some simply astounding weapons in private ownership whose existence has never been recorded by any archaeological authority. I've also seen more than a few artifacts improperly handled (ie no gloves) by sellers who should know better, so I don't personally find this damning either ...but I've obviously little expertise in this field.

However, Since the number of unusual features of this particular sword, combined with the seller's reputation, leads one to the conclusion that this is likely a fake, I wonder, are the unique characteristics of this sword the result of ignorance on the part of the forger, or intentionally added in an attempt to raise the value of the sword?
The sword seems "close enough" for me to guess that the engraving was added in full knowledge that such a thing is undocumented in the archaeological record. The somewhat mis-matched upper and lower guard, which Peter called attention to, is quite unusual as well, but not, I think, unprecedented. To be honest, I didn't catch this feature at all on first glance and I'm glad to have it pointed out. But really, aside from those two elements, the sword still appears very convincingly aged to my untrained eye, and I'm glad to hear that at least a few of you agree.
Unfortunately, it seems likely that we'll never really be able to establish the sword's origins one way or the other...
Thanks for all of your comments, I'm glad some good has come of this!

-C.L.Miller

Viking blades are not a particular bit of study for me, but I was under the impression that they 'always' had deep fullers. This weapon does not have any sort of fuller, unless you count the engraving. I wouldn't myself, it doesn't seem at all deep enough for a sword of this type.

Are there any authenticated Viking blades (of the double edged type) without a deep fuller? The ninth century example pictured here, although also rather rusty, shows the fuller quite clearly.

http://www.myArmoury.com/view.html?features/pic_spotx17.jpg

As does this one, which is also in rather bad shape. Also, note the engraving is in the fuller. If a weapon with a wave engraving existed, I would think it would also have the engraving contained withen the fuller.
http://www.myArmoury.com/view.html?features/pic_spotx16.jpg

It's always possible something unique will turn up.... yet somehow the absence of a fuller makes me espeically suspecious.

Here are some swords from the same period demonstrating a good range of decay for purposes of comparison...

[ Linked Image ]

This was taken from Jeroen Zuiderwijk's excellent archive, viewable here.

Thanks for the picture and more especially the link! I've just added it to my favorites!

Winning bid: US $11,896.66

Hope's we will hear more about that sword, its really looks nice. :)