Does anybody know of any examples of XI types with brazil nut pommel (or variant) and with a non straight cross guard but instead something down turned, along the lines of the Albion Norman style of cross?

Every example I have seen seem to always have straight style 1 guards.

Dear Bryan,

If you can get a hold of 'Medieval Swords from Southwestern Europe' by Aleksic there's a handsome 12th century sword (catalog #16, plate 1) with a blade nearly 38" long and an unusually 'flattened' Brazil nut Pommel (about 1" high, 2" deep, and 3" wide) - and with a curved cross much like the Albion Norman. The author classifies it as an Xa, but to my eyes the narrow fuller and overall blade shape could put it in the XI family.

A lot of the rules based on Western European swords seem to be violated by Eastern European swords!

-JD

There's that XI with the beast heads. It's a straight guard, with the beast head turning down at the ends. There is also an XIa with a curved guard, though with a disc pommel.

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XIa

Thanks for the info guys.

J.D...I was able to find an online version of the book you mentioned and found the sword. That's pretty much exactly what I was looking for. I think a recreation of a sword like that would really great. That subtle downturn on the cross guard matches up well with the curves of the Brazil nut pommel.....I really like that.