I saw a very cool "walloon" sword for sale from a very reputable antique dealer, don't know if I'm allowed to mention names. The guy said if there was any question of authenticity I can return it for a full refund, he has a good reputation so I doubt he is passing off fakes. My question is this though, the sword supposedly is in completely untouched condition and has its original grip. The grip has "traces of its original leather covering", because im interested in the sword I started looking through pictures of originals and every single one I've seen has had a wire wrapped grip. Where simpler versions issued to standard cavalry sometimes wrapped in leather? The other thing I wanted to ask, during the English Civil War where they rehilting old blades with newer complex hilts? This doesnt really have anything to do with the one I want to buy, but in allot of the picks some of the swords look like they have older type X, XI, etc. blades for earlier medieval blades.
Thnx
Z

Blades have been re-used throughout history, I would not be surprised to see re-used versions during the Civil War. Most of the Walloon hilted swords were made in Germany, originally for trade to the Netherlands. If the sword has any identifying marks they would probably tell you were the sword was made and/or used, what armoury held the sword, etc. As for the leather grip I can't recall any, but Walloon swords are not of particular interest to me so I probably would not remember one if I had seen it. During the 17th century there are many swords with leather grips, so it would not surprise me if it is indeed genuine. Generally the well reputed antique dealers have their good reputation for a reason, and they like to keep it that way. If they sell you a sword not as described they will most likely try and make up for it.
With luck someone with more knowledge of Walloon swords will respond with more information, my area of interest is a bit earlier than 17th century.
Hope I was a bit of a help,
Hadrian

It would be helpful if you could post a photo of the sword. The name, Walloon covers a number of design variations.

Here are a couple of Walloons that I found at Hermann Historica that look like they have leather grips

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circa 1660, copyright Hermann Historica

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copyright Hermann Historica

Dont know how to... Its hilt looks almost identical to http://www.ollinsworddesign.com/osd-custom-17cws.html but with a leather gip, and the shell guard parts have pierced holes. The blade is double edged with a fuller, and something called a "running wolf" mark (looks just like random scratches to me). The whole thing has a consistent brown patina.
Thnx
Z

You have to show your sword if you want help. There's plenty of info on how to attach images on the 'net. Google is your friend and so is our Attachment Guide.

I'm eager to see your sword!

Cheers

Well I figured out how to post pictures, but I also got contacted by the dealer. He said the photos are copyrighted and are his until I actually buy the item. He said I was free to disscuss the item, but I couldn't post pictures on a forum. So is there any help I can get without showing pics? If you can't answer specifically about this sword could you at least speak in more general terms?
I'm sorry!
Thnx
Z

You could provide a link to the item if it is posted online, but you run the risk of competition for the sword. Most dealers do not want their photos posted elsewhere online. I do not think there is need to be suspicious.

yes as Jonathan stated you have a quandary. you are apprehensive about authenticity and would like a consensus of opinion which is good because in this field it is a case of caveat emptor - yet the truth is there is no simple answer to your question about grips and we can't help you if you don't tell us more about the sword........ however if you do, this is a public forum and you run the risk of someone who has also been mulling it over to jump first. has happened to all of us............ its in the nature of the game so to speak.

now back to grips. experience indicates to me that as late as the 1970s, many folks did not necessarily see re-doing a grip on an antique sword as a "faux-pas" provided the hilt was not disassembled and monkeyed with. its only in the past 20 years or so that people in the collector community have gotten more purist in their attitudes towards antique swords. so unfortunately what this means is that you will find quite a few original 17th-18th c swords with questionable grips since those are the perishable materials. its often very hard to say what is period and what is not. leather does not age well yet some grips were done in leather in 17th c and survive. probably more important is your take on whether the blade and hilt components are original to each other. tr

ps i am very familiar with various dealer inventory and i am pretty certain which sword you are talking about. if its the one that is 34 7/8ths and double fullered - i think its all original (although maybe missing its original wire wrap) and if you like it you should buy it.

Zach, you wrote that the dealer said "if there was any question of authenticity I can return it for a full refund".
Then you could just buy it, find out if it is real or not and then return it if it´s fake.