May 14, 2012

Salem Willows - The Sword in the Sea

After doing last Friday's photo-tastic post about the Salem Willows Park, I thought of something else I should have included there. But it was such an unusual event that I wanted to give it its own post.

Back in 2001 I visited the Willows (that's what we locals call it round here) on another photo excursion. That day I was more focused on the water-side aspect of taking photos including the beach creatures and colorful stones and shells.

While I was down where the tide was receding, something caught my eye...

As I found it
It was a sword! I don't know much about swords but I know there's not a Ren Faire in the immediate area and that it looked like it had been in the water for some time. Naturally, I did what most people reading this blog would do and took it home. I cleaned it up as best I could but it must have seen better days in the past.

Here is a photo I took of it today.

Like I said, I'm not up on my sword studies so I'm not sure what type of blade this is but it's obvious that it's more of a fencing sword from way it's constructed to protect the wielder's hand. Here's a closeup of the blade's base.

Toledo Made in Spain
One thing I do know is that Toledo Spain was considered to produce the best swords in Europe between the 15th and 17th centuries. It seems to be well made and very solid, not something I would expect from a replica weapon. I'd also think something a little more modern was probably be more rust resistant? But I don't exactly know any sword experts that could verify when it might have been made. And until I do find one, I'm just going to keep thinking it's a relic from a time when there were pirates and privateers on the seas.

16 comments:

  1. That is so incredibly cool! Of all the things to find. If I ever run into a sword expert or any clues, I'll pass them your way. It sure looks like an antique sword to me. Maybe you need to get on Antiques Roadshow? :)

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    1. Ha, yeah that would be nice. There is the well known Peabody Essex Museum in Salem maybe I should start asking around.

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  2. How amazing is that! You finding a sword by the water. It's almost like something out of a book or movie just too cool.

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  3. Is it a Vorpal Sword ?!?! Its like a quest is calling you!! Nice find and a great story to tell too !

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    1. I haven't attacked anything with it so I'm not sure of it's Vorpal-ness =)

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  4. That is the most incredible find ever! You have to get that thing checked out, because i want to know what it is! ;) I think Heritage Auctions has a free appraisal service. Maybe they can tell you what you found.

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    1. I just found out Antiques Roadshow is coming to Boston but I've missed the cut off date to buy tickets. Oh well...

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  5. Did you Google "Toledo Made in Spain Sword"?

    I did.

    [url]http://www.toledosword.com/[/url]

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    1. I did check their site. Their swords would have the company logo on them, according to them. They do have a sword forum link that I'm going to check out.

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  6. Dude at first I thought it looked like an old Spanish officer's rapier sword. But then a few days later (today) I was playing some assassins creed 4 black flags and my curiosity was killing me because of this set of swords I acquired in the game named "The blades of Toledo". the company that made the assassin creed franchise always put a lot of effects into making the game feel authentic as possible (with some slips hear and there with them putting mountains in Florida in the game). Well it was not a match BUT when I was looking through the web, I found the same sword that you have. This is the link. Also there is not a lot of info about the sword in the link except a cleaner looking version of it.
    http://www.pinterest.com/pin/109564203405857826/

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  7. In fact that is a Spanish rapier. But it is not a Spanish cup-hilt rapier because the hilt is..... well its not shaped like a cup.

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  8. The thing I want to know is why did it say in English (made in Spain) and two why in New England? I think its a replica or a modern-day sword.

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  9. Hello there I know this is a few years late but I thought I'd say this anyway… I happen to have that very same Toledo sword. It is infact a replica sword but one of good quality with a nice peen and carbon steel. It's not a rapier rather it is a side-sword, basically the shorter more wide version othe the rapier. It's in English because these swords were often sold to tourists visiting Spain and English is just a common language. The year of the sword however I don't know. It's still an incredible story as for how you found it though!! I just bought mine at an antique store haha.

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