Found Weapon?

[bobschlegel]

Hello Fencers,

I have not taken this sport up yet, although it looks interesting. I found something in the attic rafters of a house I lived in 25 years ago and decided I must find out what it is. It looks like it could be a "weapon" but I really have no idea. It has markings as follows:
"J.I Lau & Co. New-York"
"Made in Germany"
"SOLINGEN"
and an "A" in a circle.

The "blade" is rectangular and tapers to a point. It is about 24" long. The handle portion (rat tail) is about 8" long with threads at the end.
It is hand-wrought as the handle is especially noticabley hammered.

I have pictures but could not attach them here.

If you could help me identify it, I would very much appreciate it.

Thanks in Advance,

Bob

[GGK]

Originally Posted by bobschlegel

"J.I Lau & Co. New-York"
"Made in Germany"
"SOLINGEN"
and an "A" in a circle.

The "blade" is rectangular and tapers to a point. It is about 24" long. The handle portion (rat tail) is about 8" long with threads at the end.

Solingen is a German blade manufacturer, knives, flatware and such, although I have no knowledge of them manufacturing fencing weapons I would not be surprised.
Since you say that it is tapered to a point, instead of a button (flatten tip) I'm going to guess someone had a broken foil blade (they have rectangular cross-sections) that they worked the end down to a point. (24” is too short even for a child’s foil) If it has a button tip-I would guess a theatrical or SCA "main-gauche" type blade, although it sound to long for that, but then again my knowledge of SCA weapons is sketchy at best.

G