About twenty five years ago, while on the hunt for historical reenactor stuff, weapons and antique clothing I went to an Antique Show at our Pavillion. While searching through all the cool antiques I ran across a very old man who had lots of tools.
While searching through his tools looking for dated items I could use for my reenactments I ran across some curious looking objects. They appeared to me to look like Vampire Stakes.
There were three of them, so I asked where he got them. He could not say exactly. Seems he got them in a trade quite a number of years earlier. I could tell by the age of the wood that it was indeed very old.
In addition, the smell was not good. I picked out one and purchased it. It had stains all over it and when I asked him about them he claimed the stains were real blood. It did smell very strong.
I went on my marry way with a cool antique wooden stake. When I opened up my store in a shopping mall I was visited by the Deacon of the Vampire Church. He desperately wanted to purchase the stake which I only had on display in one of my cabinets. I politely turned him down and proceeded to sell him a sword cane instead. He came by numerous time to visit but I would never give in and sell the stake.
I eventually had to remove it from my store because so many people tried to buy it. I was afraid one of my employees would accidentally sell it and I did not want to loose it.
I have worn this many times on various costumes and always get that strange reaction from people. At first they do not believe that there is real blood on it until they smell it. Once they become believers they always want to buy it.
I really kick myself sometimes for not purchasing the other two. I have had the stake now for twenty five years and there is no telling how old it was before I got it.
Once I return home I will photograph it and post pictures. It is one of my unique prized possessions. I hope you enjoyed the tale and I assure it is all true.
A truely excellent tale Wolf Man, and I look forward to seeing the pics of such a rare and unusual item. If it was mine, I would not sell it for any price either, as such a rare gem is truely priceless. Wish I knew where the other two dissapeared to, I would grab one up in a heartbeat. Thanks for sharing this story of such a unique item, and I look forward to seeing the pictures. Stay safe friend Wolf Man, and take care.
Such a unique item, is a rare find that could never occur again. I would so love to know the history behind this, but I guess that's forever lost in time. Actually used on someone, stained with their blood. As my brother stated above, this is a priceless item you've acquired. I am JELLOUS. Please post some pictures when you get home, I would love to see such a unique specimen. Still keeping you and the others serving over there in my prayers, and hoping all return home soon. Hugs and Kisses. ---Josie
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Great story! Add me to the list of people anxiously waiting for pics.
That was a neat story, Wolf Man. Definitely a 'once in a lifetime' kind of find. I can't wait to see photos.
I just spoke to my wife and she has that on the list to take photos of along with my canes. I moved the stake to a tote full of weapons I use as costume props so we just have to find the tote. We just moved into a new house and things are still in disarray. I am actually looking forward to getting the photos myself. I have never actually taken any. Although, you can see the stake slightly in several of the photos of my costume variations. I noticed it the other day, I wear it on my belt. I made a leather sling for it. Darn thing is sharp though, I have poked myself a few times, never drawn my own blood though.
Cool story Wolf Man. I was on holiday in Prague a few years ago and visited the Sedlec Ossuary http://www.ludd.luth.se/~silver_p/kutna-1.html (http://www.ludd.luth.se/~silver_p/kutna-1.html)
At the bottom of one of the vast piles of skulls was a misshapen skull, it was long and thin and had one very elongated tooth. Half the skull was smashed in whereas the others were in pretty good shape. I think that this was some poor soul with a severe deformity that was probably persecuted and killed by a superstitious mob.
I wonder if the blood on the stake came from some other poor innocent deemed a vampire?
I could kick myself now for not paying more attention to the old man selling it. At the time I just thought it was a cool find, paid for it and went on my merry way. It was only later that I began to ponder just what I had and the fact I did not buy the other two. The stake is a very hard wood, probably oak, but since it is so old the wood is even harder and very sharp at the tip. My father presented me with a knife when I was sixteen that my Grandfather carried in WWII. The Knife also has blood stains on it and a funny smell. The stake and knife have the same funny smell.
I won't forget to get some good photos of it posted as soon as I can.
Interesting story, WM.
I once had a linen bandage stained with mummy pee. Your vampire stake is a lot cooler, believe me.
That made me laugh out loud through my fangs. What in the world? Mummy Pee? So he was still alive when they began the embalming? Let out a little pee when he began to have his brains pulled out through his nose?
Back in the late 70s I had a WW2 Nazi bayonet that had real blood on it. I needed cash and sold it to a friend for like $50.
I'm still kicking myself for selling it. Nowadays that would be equaled to real Monster stuff sold for cool monster stuff. :o
A German Bayonet with real blood is truely monster stuff but I guess no different than my American Combat knife with real blood.
Who else out there has a real antique relic with a story? Any ancient amulets or puzzle boxes?
Wolfman wrote:
QuoteSo he was still alive when they began the embalming? Let out a little pee when he began to have his brains pulled out through his nose?
ROTFLMAO!!!! :D
No brains coming out, but I did shoot mineral water out my nose when I read this! ;D
That is indeed a cool story! I can't wait to see the pics! Strange how it causes such a reaction.
I too am excited about getting the pictures posted. I never realized the absence of photos I have on many of the interesting objects within my collection. Now, after joining this forum I have good reasons to take pictures of some of my favorite things. How fun is that?
That is amazing, and a true shame you didn't get the other stakes. Are you by chance wearing it on your person in any of those pix of you with your cane that have already been posted?
A friend sent me this auction site...quite an impressive set! What a terrific display piece this is. [that is unless you need it for real vampires, in which case you'd be very well equipped!
http://www.kovels.com/issues/newsflash/1_114/news_news_news/3013-1.html?utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=/issues/newsflash/1_114/news_news_news/3013-1.html&utm_content=pc(*at*)hamptons.com&utm_campaign=Kovels+Komments+[October+29,+2008]:+Saving+Halloween+Decorations
Quote from: Daimajin on October 21, 2008, 04:14:24 PM
Interesting story, WM.
I once had a linen bandage stained with mummy pee. Your vampire stake is a lot cooler, believe me.
Maybe it was the embalmers making a statement.
BK
Maybe it was a pregnant mummy and she sneezed
Thanks for posting that Gasport. I have always wanted to build a kit and now I have an original to pattern mine after. I already have a friend in the State Police working on my silver bullets, only they will be in 45 long colt for my 1875 Remington revolver. This is a much more powerful round.
I plan on trying to find most of the kits contents at antique stores to lend it some historical credibility.
Pretty cool.