Bunker.jordan

Handmade Daggers -  ”Panzerstecher” Dagger 

• Replica
• Original dated late 16th century
• Culture: German

 The original dagger is a property of the State Art Collections Dresden, Germany

Source: Copyright © 2014 Arma Bohemia

Battle Axe and Hidden Blade Combination

• Maker: unknown
• Dated: early 18th century
• Culture: Indian
• Medium: steel, silver and gold, gilded and plated
• Measurements: sword blade length 43.8 cm

Source: Copyright © 2014 The Wallace Collection

The Mysterious Geometry of Swordsmanship, Gorgeously Illustrated

• By Daniel Margocsy

Girard Thibault’s ‘Académie de l’Espée’ (1628) puts the art of wielding the sword on mathematical foundations. For Thibault, a Dutch fencing master from the early seventeenth century, geometrical rules determined each and every aspect of fencing.

For example, the length of your rapier’s blade should never exceed the distance between your feet and the navel, and your movements in a fight should always be along the lines of a circle whose diameter is equal to your height.

The rest of his manual, geared towards gentlemanly readers who took up fencing as a noble sport, is filled with similar geometrical arguments about the choreography of swordsmanship. Thibault’s work belongs to the same tradition that produced Leonardo’s renowned Vitruvian Man.

According to the laws of proportion, the ideal human body could be inscribed in a circle, and one could easily compute the length of the main body parts as simple fractions of the length of the body. 

[ CONTINUE READING… ]

Source: Copyright © 2014 The Slate Group LLC.

Check out this captivating film about the making of Patek Philippe's most complicated watch.

[ Thanks @MaxHumphries! ]

With a name like AUTÓMATA I am almost obligated to post news of this upcoming movie. Clearly, it's borrowing some of its major themes from Asimov's classic novel titled I, Robot. One also catches the scent of Blade Runner. Still, the trailer does look exciting.

A synopsis from the film's official web site:

Fast forward fifty years into the future, planet earth is in the midst of gradual desertification. Mankind struggles to survive as the environment deteriorates and the slow regression of the human race begins in AUTÓMATA. On the brink of life and the reality of death, technology combats the prevailing uncertainty and fear with the creation of the first quantum android, the Automata Pilgrim 7000. Designed to bring support to society's plight, man and robot reveal what it means to co-exist in a culture defined by human nature.

The descent of civilization is juxtaposed by the rise of ROC, the corporation at the helm of robotic intelligence. Despite the demise of humanity, the company has set forth security protocols to ensure mankind always maintains control over the manufactured population.As ROC insurance agent, Jacq Vaucan (Antonio Banderas) routinely investigates cases and complaints surrounding defective androids, he begins to uncover the secrets behind who is really manipulating the Automata Pilgrim 7000. Jacq's own suspicions propel the mystery — uncovering a truth that is far more complex than the make or model of any machine.

Here is where you can learn more about the upcoming film, AUTÓMATA.

[ Thanks Glenn! ]

David Wenham “Faramir” Sword

• Measurements: overall length 39 inches (99cm)

This version of Faramir’s sword was created by the craftsmen at Weta Workshop during the production of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy (New Line Cinema, 2001, 2002, 2003) with a lightweight aluminium blade for actor David Wenham to easily wield during filming. The resin hilt was cast from molds taken from the original hero prop, and it was painstakingly hand-painted and weathered.

This prop was part of a collection of authentic production-created movie props procured by official New Line Cinema licensee, United Cutlery directly from Weta Workshop and Three Foot Six Productions between 1999-2004 for reference in producing a collectible replica version for fans of the film franchise.

Source: Copyright 2014 © Julien’s Live

Check out this performance of puppetry on a grand scale. The giant robots perform a show loosely based on Chinese mythology. The puppets were created by the French company, La Machine.

Learn more about the Robot dragon and giant spider on the BBC News web site.

[ Thanks Bill! ]

Short Sword (Duan Jian)

• Dated: circa 4th–1st century B.C.E.
• Place of Origin: Xinjiang
• Culture: Eastern Central Asian
• Medium: steel, bronze, gold
• Measurements: L. 26 3/8 in. (67 cm)

From its inception in the third millennium B.C.E., the sword served equally as a weapon and as a symbol of social status and power. During the first millennium B.C.E., in the hands of the nomadic peoples of the Eurasian steppes, it became, along with the bow, one of the primary cavalry weapons of the ancient world. Groups such as the Scythians, the Yuezhi, the Xiongnu, and the Xianbei achieved a succession of federations and kingdoms in Eurasia by combining the use of sword and bow with an unparalleled skill in horsemanship.

Archaeological investigations of burial sites have established the importance of the sword both as a valued possession and a sign of rank in various nomadic societies. While burial context has made it possible to identify some types of swords with specific nomadic peoples, others, like this example, are difficult to attribute with certainty.

The complex techniques required for the manufacture of this sword, the combined use of bronze and steel, and the presence of gold decoration all indicate its origin in a society with advanced metalworking skills and a relatively high level of material wealth. Swords similar to this one have been found in Yunan in southwestern China and in Ningxia in the northwest. The Ningxia finds also include many other examples of similarly advanced metalworking, suggesting that this sword may have originated in that region, perhaps around the time of the late Warring States period.

Source: Copyright 2014 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

You recall Rob Higgs -- the artist who created the giant wine bottle opener? Here is his latest, a large human figure with moving hands, head, eyes, and many other elements. It's a wonderful assemblage of parts. I can even spot one near to my heart and very near to the automaton's: a lyre-framed brass clock movement with its large spiral mainsprings. The video description notes that he forgot to wind clock mechanism that runs the "brain", and indeed, if you look closely you can see the winding key sticking out the back of the figure's head. It's truly incredible piece. I would expect no less from this particular artist.

Here is where you can see more sculptures by Rob Higgs.

It’s been awhile seen we seen a bike here, so I was thrilled when Stephan Jonsson built this wonderful motorcycle:

The Triumph Scrambler is combination of off road dirt bike and cruiser, with the beefed up suspensions and tyres. The build is accurate to the source material and is recreated fantastically with bricks. I loved how he’s able to shape body of the motorcycle, while adding just the right amount of details in the engine block. But what really impressed me is that the shell and seat can be removed to reveal the sweet underbody:

Chris McVeigh has mimicked the classic ‘Jaws’ poster and shown us what goes on inside the fevered mind of the world’s whiniest Jedi. Swim, Luke, swim!

Hidden Book

This unusual shot I took some time ago when I visited the Abbey of Rolduc, in the south of the Netherlands. While my finger carefully lifts the loose cover of a sixteenth-century printed book, you are shown the inside of the binding, where the backs of the quires are held together by a horizontal strip of parchment. What’s so special about this scene is the fact that this strip was cut from a handwritten medieval manuscript - old-fashioned and therefore ideal for cutting up and recycling, binders thought. And so this early-fifteenth-century handwritten Dutch Bible found itself being sliced and diced. “I loved once,” the exposed text reads with a flair of irony and tragedy (Ic hebbe gheminnet). My finger allowed the strip to peek at the world again for the first time in centuries: that thought alone makes research of these fragments a thrilling activity.

Pic (my own): Rolduc Abbey, printed book in the attic library. More on fragments in this blog post.

Combination of Dagger and Wheellock Pistol

• Dated: circa 1575–1600
• Culture: German
• Place of Origin: possibly Saxony
• Medium: steel, wood
• Measurements: L. 18 15/16 in. (48.1 cm); L. of blade 13 13/16 in. (35.1 cm); L. of blade (without tip) 11 11/16 in. (29.7 cm); L. of quillons 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm); Cal. .29 in. (7.4 mm); Wt. 1 lb. 11 oz. (765.4 g)

Combination weapons usually were made as technical novelties and showpieces and therefore, often are highly decorated. The finely etched strapwork pattern on this example also is found on the best German firearms, edged weapons, and armor of the late sixteenth century. Before firing this dagger-pistol, the tip of the blade had to be removed, revealing the muzzle of the gun barrel.

Source: Copyright © 2014 The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Combination Lefauchaux Pinfire Revolver and Sword

• Dated: circa 1800
• Measurements: overall length 26 3/4 inches; blade length 18 1/2 inches; barrel length 3 1/2 inch round

Manufactured in Paris, France, this weapon combines a short bladed sword with a six-shot pepperbox revolver. The blade has a short double fullers leading to single fullers which run the rest of the length, panels of etched scrollwork on each side.

There also an etched scene of a deer in the woods on the left ricasso and the inscription “ALFREDO HEROUARD/LIMA”, which is the mark of a Portuguese agent and importer. The latter can be found on the right ahead of the revolver barrel.

The barrel runs along the right side of the blade, signed “E Lefauchaux a Paris” on top, with the serial number and a swiveling ejector rod on the front, a hinged loading gate at the rear, smooth hooked trigger and a checkered hammer.

The silver guard and pommel cap are engraved with scroll designs, and the grips are checkered ebony with a silver finished escutcheon. Two identical swords, complete with Herouard retailer mark and sheaths, are pictured on page 194 of “The Pinfire System” by Smith & Curtis.

Source: Copyright © 2014 Rock Island Auctions

Hunting Sword 

• Dated: last quarter of the 18th century
• Culture: German
• Measurements: overall length 66 cm

The sword has a curved, single -and false-edged blade, a fuller at the centre and a groove at the back, while the first part is engraved with hunting scenes and floral motifs. The brass grip is engraved with floral motifs, features pierced quillon and shell-guard, and also a pierced cap which can be opened with a button. At the inside can be found various iron tools as fork, knife, needle, etc.

Source: Copyright 2014 © Czerny’s International Auction House S.R.L.

Khanjar Dagger 

• Dated: circa 17th - 18th century
• Culture: Mughal, Indian
• Measurements: overall length 19” (48.2cm)

This Mughal dagger (khanjar) features a jade handle that is carved the shape of a stylized parrot’s head and is elaborately adorned by colorful stones. The blade itself is single-edged and also features elaborate decoration, with inlaid gold decorations at the proximal end that continue along the top spine of the blade. The red velvet scabbard comes with inlaid silver details at its extremities accompanies this striking dagger. 

Source: Copyright 2014 © M.S. Rau Antiques

Dress Sword

• Dated: circa 1660 - 1616
• Culture: English (hilt); German (blade)
• Medium: iron, steel, gold and silver
• Provenance: by tradition belonged to Charles I when Prince of Wales; in the collection of George IV

The hilt (English) is dated 1660 and is overlaid with gold, while the blade is gilded, blued and etched with the Royal Arms of England and the coronet and feathered badge of the Prince of Wales and laudatory words to James I. The blade Solingen, 1616, and is stamped with the mark of Clemens Horn.

Source: Copyright 2014 © Royal Collection Trust/Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Ringwraith (Nazgûl) Sword

• Measurements: overall length 55 inches

This prop Ringwraith sword was created by the Weta Workshop armoury during the production of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy (New Line Cinema, 2001, 2002, 2003).

The sword has a lightweight aluminum blade specifically for stunt use and riding sequences and shows visible signs of wear from on-set combat. The urethane hilt was cast from molds taken from the original hero prop, and the sword was carefully hand-painted and extensively weathered.

This prop was part of a collection of authentic production-created movie props procured by official New Line Cinema licensee, United Cutlery directly from Weta Workshop and Three Foot Six Productions between 1999-2004 for reference in producing a collectible replica version for fans of the film franchise.

Source: Copyright 2014 © Julien’s Live

[ BOOK ] Lessons on the Thrust (paperback)

• Price: starting at £18.00
• Original Author: Jéann Daniel L’Ange
• Translator: Reinier van Noort
• Editors: Harald Rotter, Keith Farrell
• Illustrator: Ivan Curic - Publisher: Fallen Rook Publishing
• Date of Publication: 11th November 2014
• Pages: 156
• Height: 17.78 cm
• Width: 22.86 cm
• Language: English 
• [ BUY IT HERE ]

In 1664, Jéann Daniel L’Ange published the “Deutliche und gründliche Erklärung der adelichen und ritterlichen freyen Fecht-Kunst” in Heidelberg, Germany. This was one of the first concise and systematic treatises on the typically German style of rapier fencing that evolved from the teachings of Fabris and his German students. L’Ange presents his personal point of view on this fencing style, which includes a rather large selection of brutal grappling moves. 

This first English translation of L’Ange’s treatise, made by Reinier van Noort and published exactly 350 years after the original edition, provides a fascinating viewpoint on a fencing style that is underrepresented in the modern studies on historical martial arts.

In this translation, Jéann Daniel L’Ange’s view on fencing is presented in a way that is both close to the original, and clearly understandable by a modern reader. Meticulously cleaned scans of the 61 page size plates from the original treatise are also included. 

Reinier van Noort has been researching and teaching rapier fencing since 2010, focusing mainly on the single rapier as used in the Netherlands and Germany in the late 17th century. He has translated the anonymous Vechtboek (UBL BPL 3281), Johann Georg Pascha’s Kurtze iedoch Deutliche Beschribung handlend von Fechten auff den Stoß und Hieb, and more. Reinier has been a member of HEMAC since 2010. 

[ BUY IT HERE ]

Source: Copyright 2014 © Corsair Wares

Tibetan Sword and Scabbard

• Dated: 16th–18th century
• Culture: Southern or eastern Tibetan
• Medium: iron, gold, silver, wood, ray skin, leather
• Measurements: L. overall, 33 3/4 in. (85.7 cm); L. of blade 26 1/4 in. (66.7 cm)

Source: Copyright 2014 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Help Parker and Robin, a pair of metalsmiths with a broken hand and a busted knee

They need help paying their bills after an accident broke Parker’s right hand days before moving across the country to begin his dream job as an Apprentice Silversmith at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. 

The insurance coverage for his new job does not begin until after Christmas so everything has been out of pocket. As if this weren’t enough, his partner Robin, who is staying in Illinois to finish a Master of Fine Arts, injured her knee and will need an MRI to assess the damage.

Just when they thought nothing more could be thrown at them, the home he was supposed to move into in Williamsburg had a significant mold problem and was uninhabitable.

The result has been him living in a hotel since mid October while waiting to move into a different house. The combination of their medical bills with the unforeseen moving costs has depleted their meager savings.

• More info and donations link:   [ HERE !!! ]  

zoomwitch:

shadethrow:

thepeoplesrecord:

Man, 90, arrested again this week for feeding the homeless
November 11, 2014

When 90-year-old Florida resident Arnold Abbott said following his arrest on Sunday that police couldn’t stop him from feeding the homeless, he apparently meant it.

Abbott was charged again on Wednesday night for violating a new city law in Ft. Lauderdale that essentially prevents people from feeding the homeless.

“I expected it” he said in a Sun Sentinel report. “At least this time they let us feed people first.”

Officers lingered in the area for about 45 minutes during which time Abbott and volunteers with the Love Thy Neighbor charity he founded handed out more than 100 plates of hot chicken stew, pasta, cheesy potatoes and fruit salad to homeless men and women.

If he’s found guilty of violating city ordinance laws — his second in a week — he faces 60 days in jail or a $500 fine.

Abbott said he’s prepared to go to jail over his efforts.

“Why do I keep doing this?” he asked rhetorically. “Because these are my people and they deserve to be fed.”

In a slightly more confrontational incident on Sunday, four police cruisers and approximately a half dozen officers with the Ft. Lauderdale Police Department descended upon an area in the city where Abbott, charity representatives and church members were handing out hot meals to local homeless people.

One officer demanded that he “drop that plate right now” as others picked up the trays off food and inserted them directly into the garbage with lines of homeless people looking on.

The new law in Ft. Lauderdale comes after the city announced in January that people are restricted from camping, panhandling, food sharing and engaging in other “life sustaining activities.” The laws regarding food sharing where ironically enacted on Halloween when millions of people were out sharing candy.

Abbott applauded the officers for being more courteous in their enforcement of the law the second time around this week.

“They were very gentle,” Abbott said. “I think they feel a little guilty doing their job.”

Source

"life sustaining activities" they literally, explicitly want these people to die on the side of the road starving and exposed

i like it when capitalism just says what it means up front instead of beating around the bush u know

pfisiar:

The Poor District by HideTheInsanity

via end-o