Phoenix Metal "Sinclair-hilted" Backsword
Original: German, circa 1600
This German fighting backsword (often called a "Sinclair" hilted saber) is typical of a style of sword carried by mercenary troops throughout expeditions of Scandinavia. It has a large semi-hollow octagonally-faceted pommel. The slightly downcurved qillions are unusual for this hilt type; re-curved quillons are more common. They are oval-sided quillons terminate in decorative buttons and connect to the rear hand guard and thumb-ring. The finger-ring, as found on the original, is inaccessible due to the large shell, pierced with four distinctive "heart" shapes. The grip replicates the original, no doubt replaced at some point, being bound with twisted wire and having Turk's heads top and bottom.
The blade is a single-edged backblade made by
Angus "Gus" Trim. Erik Stevenson put two fullers, one large and one small, into it that extend three-quarter's of the length of the blade. The false-edge has been sharpened, creating a very versatile weapon.
Overall length: 39"
Weight: 2.9 pounds
Width of guard: 9.25"
Blade: 32.5" long; 1.5" wide tapering to 1"
False edge: 10" long
Fullers: 21.5" long
Grip and pommel: 6" long
Point of Balance (PoB): 3.5" from cross
Center of Percussion (CoP): ~22" from cross
Maker: Erik Stevenson,
Phoenix Metal Creations of Colorado.
This piece was created as a replica of this specific example, circa 1600.