Pugio? on auction

[jkaler48]

Here is a Photo of a possible Pugio found on an auction site. No records of
find location etc so possible either a fake or looted.
Opinions?

[markusaurelius]

Fake IMO. You can see the fresh rust, and the greenish chemical patina that is so commonly applied to these items to age them artificially.

[LUCIUS ALFENUS AVITIANUS]

It's clearly a fake. I don't know why they make fakes that are clearly diferent of any real artifact, and don't try to make anything with a little posibility to pass as authentic.

[PhilusEstilius]

I would clearly say a fake.

[stevesarak]

Take a look at the layers of corrosion on the top of the blade, yet the weakest part, the edge, is still smooth and intact.

I’d say a fake.

[Titus Petronicus Graccus]

Yup, fake.
The blade and everything else is basically intact. The rust looks either painted on or dipped in a chemical bath.

[Robert]

Very fake! A good way to tell is to look at the overal corrosion and the way the different materials should interact. Thin metal will corrode differently from a forged blade, because of the compacting of the metal during the forging proces. This whole thing was made from the same stuff and chemicly corroded. Perhaps best no more said, as I do not want to give forgers any tips. :? cry: ASSHOLES!

[Crispvs]

Good point Robert, although I feel I cannot avoid commenting on the lack of evidence for rivets which should have been present if it had been real. Definately a fake for the 'I-think-old-green-corroded-things-look-nice' brigade of uninformed collectors.

Crispvs