I was directed to this Forum by a very helpful and knowledgable member from another Forum, who has offered lots of very interesting comments and observations regarding this sword.
I'm what you would describe as an 'accidental newbee sword collector' while innocently studying my Scottish ancestory during the last 12 months or so. I have recently purchased 3 swords that I intended to hang on the walls of my Medieval styled cottage. One of these swords is a curiosity that I wish to find the age and origin of. It was my 1st purchase of a sword that a friend alerted me to. I hadn't even considered owning one, but this one really caught my eye! He thought it would look just right above the fireplace. The other two swords are simply hangers of no interest other than their beauty. Both equally difficult to weild due to horrendeous POB, one of which is a interpretation of the Wallace sword.
I now have had this sword for a few weeks and have been seduced by it's size,weight and balance. So much so that I take it out to the backyard late every night and use it as another form of exercise. Have now started to become quite 'handy' with it, not to mention the increase in my upper body strength. It is so easy to weild one or two handed!
A member posted on this forum about ideal POB,( Myer). This sword has a POB at about 5 fingers (4 1/2")below the cross-guard and weighs 7.62lbs or 3.46kg. It's total length is 55 1/4" or 1403mm. The cross-guard is 11 1/2" long and made of solid bronze. The handle is 13" from the hilt to the base of the pommel and 1 1/4" at it widest point, not including the grip rings.The handle is very nicely 'wasted'. The blade is double edged, and only just dull with a length of 30" to the base of the rocasso, and 1 3/4" at it widest point. The rocasso is 9 1/4" to the hilt and leather clad with no lower grip ring. The blade is tempered carbon spring steel with excellent 'memory' when flexed. If I hold the sword horizontal and tap the blade with my other hand it 'sings'quietly and continues a very small occillation for quite a period. The pommel,said to be 'continental' in style with 6 fluted segments is 3" long and 1 3/4"dia at it's widest point. The pommel is solid bronze,very heavy, and is internally threaded with a recess that covers a 7/16" nut cut with a Whitworth thread which is 1 1/4" in length and part of the tang,eg no weld. The handle appears to be 'Ash' covered in smooth leather that has been secured using animal hide glue, which has broken down slightly, as is the rocasso cover. There are two wedges either side of the tang that are very thin(1/32" tapering to roughly 1/16") and 8" long. They look to be 'Elm' ? The handle was very difficult to remove and was very dirty,gritty and smelly,( I left it that way on reassembly, though was very tempted to clean it up!).
The blade appears to have had quite a number of strikes, but most appear just over half way down the blade, more on one face than the other. The sword I and others believe, has been well used judging by the wear on the rocasso and at the base of two of the pommel segments, and of course the handle, mainly very close to the hilt (evidence of hand wear on the top shoulder of the bronze cross where a index finger would rest) and the front grip ring.
I'm not going to describe the stamps, other than to say a 'crown' is at the base of the rocasso stamped into the leather, but rather post a photo or two of them with detail notes. It has been viewed by a foundry caster and a member of a Medieval Society, both believe it is old and possibly an early re-enactment sword 'wardrobe' sword for film making.
If it turns out to be a modern fake, the maker has done a fine job! But I need to know.
If anyone here can help me identify the age and maker of this sword I would be very grateful. I thank you all in advance :)
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