When Booty Calls …
Posted By Randy on April 28, 2024
LFM Photo — Click to enbiggen!
This year’s iteration of my natal day, being the annual observance of delight for those who wish me well, and disappointment for those who don’t, fell as always, coincident with St. George’s Day. The tableau above consists of representative physical manifestations of the former.
Clockwise from top left:
- The latest from my Esteemed Friend Stephen F. Kaufman who bestowed upon me the honour of writing the preface. This (autographed) copy arrived from New York with a perfect Swordsman’s timing, upon the very morning of! This broad spectrum approach to his much earlier, and best selling, interpretation of Musashi’s Book of Five Rings will see a deeper treatment here as weeks progress with me busy not being dead and all.
- The exquisite expressions of Love showered upon me by our three most excellent Sons; Viktor, Lukas, and Maksim; included this advice from middle LFM Son Lukas. But 8 years of age yet so solidly imbued with the Family ethos!
- An unexpected delight in the form of this very nice specimen of a British 1796 Pattern Infantry Officer’s Spadroon courtesy of Peter Thompson of whom I have previous written. Timely because interactions with idiots do happen notwithstanding.
Most of the day was spent in the divine company of Mrs. LFM whose gift of perfection all year through is a feast for my senses, and upon this singular day gives “birthday booty” its own special meaning.
Indeed and gifts to you are most perfectly bestowed upon ye.
And, incidentally, your young ‘uns are certainly prepared to deal with the neer-do-wells as they progress with your wise teachings and I second their wish for you not to have to interact with the buffonery-at-large.
Is the sword an original or a copy?
Thank you!
The sword is original and had undergone some cleaning to gleam as it does, prior to its coming to me
The hilt on this type is fashioned either of brass or bronze (some examples are one, some the other), and then gilded. The grip itself is wood covered with a sheet of silver that was then pressed into what appears to be a tight wire wrap (but isn’t).
The blade is “blued gilt” with foliate patterns.