This experiment is a continuation of a previous one aiming to analyse the composition and microstructure of Indo-Persian swords and daggers of the Wallace Collection whose aspect indicates they are made of wootz steel (also known as Damascus steel) which was prduced by very slowly cooling and very carefully forging the metal so as to preserve a surface pattern which was highly esteemed as a visible indicator of the blades metallurgy. Unfortunately many Victorian collectors and dealers (from whom Sir Richard Wallace purchased much of his arms and armour collection) over-polished them because they did not appreciate the reasons for their dark silver-grey appearance. We propose to measure a second set of 16 selected Indo-Persian blades from the Wallace Collection in order to broaden our understanding of their different compositions and micro-structures, and hence their manufacture.
