iKnife Collector
Knife Repair, Modification, Restoration & Improvement
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Could not find the perfect place for this - looking for feedback
M1913 'Patton' Cavalry Saber - blade.
This thing was never finished, and as such never issued.
It was made in 1915.
Being as it is 110 years old (as of this posting), it has a dark patina all over the blade. Some of it I am sure is some sort of rust, so I need to clean it up.
Now comes the part that I have grown a little uncertain about and would like to hear your feedback.
When I bought the blade I had every intention of making my own hilt, handle and scabbard
Getting this into my hand... wow. I am in awe. This thing is AWESOME!!!
From my way of thinking there are four options open to me right now. What is your opinion?
Option #1 : clean the blade up and leave it as-is. Just a blade.
Option #2 : Begin a concerted search for authentic missing pieces (hilt, handle, scabbard) and add them as I acquire them.
Option #3 : Follow through with my initial plan and construct 'my' hilt, handle, and scabbard. This will most probably be a mash-up of the Japanese, Swiss, British, and perhaps Swedish and/or German influences. All added to the American blade. I am not planning on altering that in any way.
Option #4 : make the components as described in option #3, but if things present themselves, then add the authentic/correct components as they are acquired. This is keeping an eye out for those components and the replacement option.
IF Options 3 or 4 are decided upon, how should I treat the blade? A few options here as well.
Option 1 : Clean only and leave the almost all of the age and patina intact.
Option 2 : Thoroughly clean and remove some, but not all of the patina.
Option 3 : Thoroughly clean and polish the blade back it its original state? Yes, it will be shiny. And sharp.
Obviously I do not delude myself with thinking I can please everyone. But I would like to hear opinions and the reasons behind them.
THANK YOU!
Kevin D
I have reached out to someone that has dealt with swords FAR older than this one, and has experience in the quality restoration required for them. Here is his response.
"Congratulations on acquiring a fine-sounding slice of history. I am not sure how much I can advise you because you are the owner and able to do as you please. I know that's a rather annoying answer, so I will say that, if the blade was actually mine, I would choose Option #1 and display the blade on a safe wall somewhere, perhaps with a nameplate showing off it's history OR I would commence with the long-but-hopefully-satisfying journey of Option #2.
Jul 25
Lars
Well, that was some good feedback. He too sounds like he is biased on the side of preserving history and authenticity as much as possible on pieces like this.
But that doesn't quite scratch that itch, does it.
Jul 25
Kevin D
LOL. No scratching there!
I basically feel that if you have an opinion, then you just about have to be biased in that respect. No harm in that!
Perhaps by asking the question, one will dig out that opinion, and perhaps take that next step and ask ones self "Why do I think that way?" "Is there a basis for that, and what is it?"
I am certainly not one to judge in any way. I am legitimately looking for those opinions, and hopefully reasons.
Jul 25