Hi Peter,
I just have a quick question. What time period do you attribue the Templar, and what time period the upcomming Reeve?
Thanks for the information.
Jeremy

I'm not Peter Johnsson, but I can't resist taking a guess at the answer:

Templar - around 1100. The heyday of the Xa seems to have been 1050-1150. The 1st Crusade was from 1096 to 1099, and the Templar order was founded 1113, both right in the middle of that period.

Reeve - around 950-1000. Though the X's seem to run from 7th century to maybe 1200.

I am not so sure.
My guess is that the Tempar may be dated to the early 1200's due to the pommel and cross, and that the Reeve should be dated to the 1100's as this style of brazil nut, Oakshott states in the SAC, seems to be a later version of the more typical one such as found on the Gaddjhalt.
Still awaiting Peter's reply, Though others may guess if they are so inclined. . .
Jeremy

Hi Jeremy,

The Reeve has a hilt type that is classified by Geibig as Combination type 16 variant 1 (eye shaped brazil nut pommel and straight guard). He dates this type of hilt to the period 950-1180.
Similar types like combination type 14 (more compact pommel of similar shape, but more swelling) is dated to 1100-1200 and combination type 18 (a fatter almost bell shaped brazil nut or mushroom form + a straight guard) is dated to 1100-1250.

...So in general, a broad classification of the brazil nut pommel gives us a time span of 950 to 1250. I the case of the reeve it is more narrow, typically found between 950-1180.
...All according to Geibig.

The Templar was designed to be contemporary with the beginning of the Templars. I wanted it to have a 12th C feel, but be generic enough not to be out of place both slightly earlier (late 11thC) or into the 13th C.
The blade would be most typical in the period stated above: 1050-1150, but it is of a type that you could find both later and earlier.
Wheel pommels can be found surpricingly early and a flairing cross does not disqualify a 12th C dating. I cannot quote any definite time boundaries for the flaring cross. When we get into the 11th C we´ll se quite a few variations of the simple straight guard.

Hope this helps.

Best
Peter

Very helpful and informative Peter.

I am quite pleased with the dates you give indeed more pleased than with the dating impression that I had.

I very much look forward to the Reeve which will be my first type X to add to my two type Xa's, and now you guys mention a ML type Xa.1 from Records and I am finding it hard to move past this type! :)

One day I will be able to move on to the XI's and the Xii's. . . .
Jeremy