The legend of the basement sword

[fbhjr]

My wife and I used to be part of the group that did sword demonstrations at the Higgins museum back when it was open.
There was one time when the curator let us hold one of the original swords from 400+ years ago while it was in the basement shop being refinished.

I have no idea how many swords I’ve held over the years. I’m sure it is more than 100 of all different types.
No sword has ever been as well balanced as that sword.
It was like a true extension of my hand.
No sword I’ve ever held has ever been even close to it. It was in a class by itself.

Although it was restored, it never seemed to go on exhibit at the museum and it has been at least 10 years since that one time I got to hold it.

Today while visiting the items moved to the Worcester Art Museum from the closed Higgins I finally saw it again.





Nice to finally see it again.

Comments

[postingwhore.livejournal.com]

No sword has ever been as well balanced as that sword.
I wonder whether that's because sword-making was better then, since now it's not exactly a trade in the same way it was back then?

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

I'm sure that is it.
In Europe making swords pretty much died out for a couple of centuries due to the influence of the gun.
There were a few places that kept doing it, but mostly for ceremonial blades.

I'm very sure the people who made them in volume for people who would actually be using them knew some things that are not known now.

[postingwhore.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I think it's really sad how many things we've lost.

[hindustar.livejournal.com]

wow. wow. I love when I get to touch old things.You are so lucky. (very much a spiritual experience for me when I do) =)

it reminds me of Inigo's sword.

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

It has been useful when giving historical demonstrations as well. People ask how close our reproduction swords are to the original. It is good to be able to answer that question with confidence. (Even if it is to say modern ones aren't as good.)

[chaquir.livejournal.com]

it's beautiful!

[morgan-lafaye.livejournal.com]

Always nice to see an old friend.

[palusbuteo.livejournal.com]

Yep, "nice to see an old friend", indeed, as Morgan said.

I think that sword was actually on display at Higgins, it [would have been] in the "Story of the Sword" section on the 3rd floor
as I seem to remember seeing a very similar label mentioning the Munich guard. The sword next to it with the brass handle, was
also in that same long case. Both of those are considered hidden treasures of the collection.

I'd completely forgotten that was the same sword we got to handle with the curator. I just remember seeing everyone's eyes light up
when they lifted it and "Oooooh" That feels like an extension of my hand look.

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

Maybe it was on display. But, when I went to show it to folks in Phoenix, I couldn't find it. Maybe I looked in the wrong place...

[palusbuteo.livejournal.com]

Hmmm.

Well, we know where it is now...

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

I know where it was yesterday...
It's probably still there now.