Posts: 4,393 Location: Northern California
Wed 27 Aug, 2008 3:57 pm
I found this photo on an old thread over at SFI. It is claimed there that the date for this sword is 1630, but it seems to me that it should be at least 50 years later, maybe even into the 1700’s. It looks like a Walloon that has evolved a little.
The quillon has a different shape. The flattened area on the knucklebow has been replaced by the typical 17th century double-lobe shape. The biggest departure is a side branch on the outboard side that curves in to attach to the knucklebow. There may be a few other differences that are not apparent in this photo. The counterguards may not be as convex as in earlier versions, and their piercings may not be in the same big star and little moons style..
One thing I’ve noticed on 17th century Continental complex hilts. There may be a vertical branch that connects to the pommel on the outboard side of the hilt, but there is never a vertical branch on the inboard, thumb-ring side. There may be a diagonal branch that starts around the thumb-ring and curves to the knucklbow, but that is all. The purpose for this may be to prevent a too-tight fit for the hand that I’ve noticed on some British Mortuary swords and baskethilts.
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43 inch overall length [ Download ]