Richard

There is an extensive metallurgical bibliography on pattern-welded swords. 
I would suggest a good place to start would be the recent book by Vagn 
Buchwald
“Iron and steel in ancient times” (Copenhagen, 2005).


Robert Thomsen has published many analyses of the Danish moss-finds:
Thomsen, R. “Pattern-welded swords from Illerup and Nydam” 371-377 and 
pl.xix-xxii.in “Archaeometallurgy of iron “ed. Pleiner, R. (Prague, 1989).

Idem. “Metallografiske undersoelgelser af sværd og spydspidser fra 
mosefundene I Illerup og Nydam” Aarboger for Nordisk Oldkyndighed og 
Historie (Copenhagen, 1992) 281-310.



There are many smiths who claim to be able to reconstruct pattern-welding, 
and some of them can, but your own research might be better served if you 
tried to carry out the forging yourself.  However hideous the results may 
appear, you will learn more in the long run.

Alan Williams


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Richard Rechsteiner" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, October 25, 2010 11:24 AM
Subject: Pattern Visibility of pattern welded swords - Metallurgical 
analyses of sword blades


Hello

I’m collecting metallurgical analyses of sword blades from the time 200BC to 
1600AD for research. I wanted to ask you if you have any such analysis: 
chemical components, ranges of hardness etc. of sword blades within this 
time period. I’m interested specifically with regard to pattern-welded 
swords if there have been any analysis carried out on the composition of the 
different layers of metal which create the pattern within the blade.

During my research I have realised that some people attribute the pattern of 
these swords not to a significant difference in the carbon content, but to a 
difference in the phosphor content within the layers of the blade. Do you 
know if there are any studies to support this theory?

I have also been trying to find out if anyone has made a replica of a sword 
blade in general, or specifically a pattern-welded sword from this period, 
using iron ore and methods that would have been used at this time to make 
the blooms i.e. making a copy in the same way and with the same materials 
and methods as the original. Not using modern methods or industrial iron and 
steel. It’s very difficult to find such smith. I’ve been looking in 
Switzerland, Germany, England, France and USA.

Do you know smith who makes such authentically replica? If so, could you 
tell me his or their names?

I’m trying to find out if the pattern on a pattern welded blade made out of 
bloomery iron and steel would be as clear and have the typical “black and 
white” contrast that a modern replica of a pattern-welded sword or damascene 
knife, made from industrial alloy steel (e.g. manganese steel combined with 
nickel steel) has. After the research I’ve done I think that the originals 
do not have such clear-cut patterns but I’m looking for more information to 
support this theory. I’m trying to collect information from modern sword 
smiths who have forged pattern welded blades using bloomery steel to see if 
their experiences corroborate with this theory.

According to the metallurgical analyses of antique and early medieval 
pattern-welded swords that I have collected I have come to the conclusion 
that probably the following 2 types of iron-alloy are responsible for the 
pattern found on pattern-welded blades:

1. Difference in the carbon content within the different layers of the 
blade.
2. Difference in the phosphor levels within the different layers of the 
blade.

Find following some results of compiled data concerning carbon and phosphor
content of antique and medieval European blades:

-Average carbon content is about 0.20%, extremely rare over 0.5%,
Carbon-difference within layers extremely rare over 0.3%.
-Average phosphor content is about 0.11%, extremely rare 0.3% and over,
Phosphor-difference within layers up to about 0.3%.

(Concerning Manganese in antique and medieval swords the average content of 
the collected data of about 54 sword blades is only about 0.025%)

The question is, how clear would the contrast be using iron carbon alloy or 
iron phosphor alloy within the percentages shown above and not been etched 
with acid.

I believe, based upon reports dating from the medieval time and the lack of 
proof of acid application in Western Europe to bring out patterns that the 
blades have been primarily polished to protect them from rust. So the 
pattern would probably primarily been visible thank to a good polish.

In a letter of gratitude from the Ostrogoth king Theoderic to a king of the 
Varni from the late 5th century A.D. it’s been written: “Their polished 
clarity is shining so strong, that they reflect with utmost clearness the 
faces of those who look at the. …. Their midsection, skilfully wrought with 
hollows, appears to be covered with swirling worms, and there are so 
manyfold shadows, that one might believe the shining metal to be interwoven 
with many colours. This metal is ground on your grindstone and polished with 
your most famous powder so diligently, until its’ steely shine becomes a 
mirror for men” - This Translation of the original text can be found in the 
very interesting book from Dr. Stefan Mäders: “Stähle, Steine und Schlangen” 
2009.

Do you got any pictures of polished pattern welded swords (or fragments), 
that have not been treated with acid to see how the pattern contrast look 
like?

It’s quite difficult to explain what I mean in English for me. I hope you 
understand what I’m trying to say.

I would be happy to hear your opinions and if you could help me.

Kind regards

Richard Rechsteiner
(Switzerland)