Who makes the best ...

[PogueMahone]

... Refurbished sword handle for an original M1850?

I need to get mine recovered.


Thanks!

[Silas]

Re: Who makes the best ...

I knew I'd seen this before, so I did some digging through old threads and came across this : http://www.cds1.net/~nardi/swords/index.htm Site is still up. I've never used them, but I'm sure others here have.

[Matt Woodburn]

Re: Who makes the best ...

Tom Nardi in CA and Jeff Leathers in Murfreesboro, TN. I've used them both over the years.

[JordanRicketts]

Re: Who makes the best ...

Matt,

Do you have any contact info for Jeff?

THanks,

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Who makes the best ...

I was thinking of sending my sword to Tom Nardi. Has anybody dealt with him in the past?

[PogueMahone]

Re: Who makes the best ...

Matt,

Do you have current contact info for Jeff? I know him and his work.

Joe

[Matthew Semple]

Re: Who makes the best ...

Robert,

I have used Tom Nardi for a several restorations in the past and would not hesitate using him again in the future. I am sure there were several posts by me lost in the great AC Forum crash of 2006 which had expressed the following few sentences. Specifically, I have used him to rewrap handles in correct materials and methods and procure original sword and scabbard parts which I was having a terrible time finding. I have also talked to him about other projects where he suggested just leaving them alone because he did not want to destroy the integrity of the original specimen. (This is something refreshing in which you do not find everyday in a "businessman"...I wish more were like him!) I have found him very pleasant to work with over the years, he discussed the project, made recommendations based on well researched methods and personal experience, did better than expected (I am pessimistic in nature when it comes to restoration services), his prices were and are still very reasonable, and he had a good turn-around time within the timeframe he quoted for completion.

As a personal rule, I usually don't make high recommendations in public forums. In my experience, Tom is an exception to that rule.

Matt

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Who makes the best ...

Thanks Matthew

I will give him a call.

[ktfrench]

Re: Who makes the best ...

I've also had some work done by Tom Nardi and he was a pleasure to deal with. He did an excellent rewrap job on a M1840 artillery saber and provided a repro Type I scabbard that I use in the field.

Regards,
Kevin French

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Who makes the best ...

Hallo!

I have talked with Tom N..

He is sometimes hesitant to undertake work on originals, and the repros at times, because of the way swords are assembled.
Basically the blade has a "rat tail' type tang that extends through the hollow grip handle and slightly beyond the pommel of the guard. When the "grip and guard" were fitted, the end of the tang was carefully peened over to hold it tightly in place. To remove the grip for replacement, it is necessary to file down the end of the "pommel" to remove the peen to allow the tang to slide through.
To reassemble it, the now shortened end of the tang has to be repeened enough to hold the whole thing together.

On a repro it is not as "sensitive" an issue.

Curt