Anyone have any pictures of historical swords with half wire wraps? It seems to be a popular upgrade on reproductions but I haven't been able to find any historical examples except for the sword that Del Tin based their Gothic Hand and Half on.

I suspect that surviving examples are rare. Looking at many photos, I see many examples of swords that appear to have once had wire wrap on part of the grip (over leather) but it's gone now. Other samples have grips that are so darkened and gunked up that it's hard to tell in the photos what the material is. And then there are those that appear to have been regripped over the years.

There's examples such as the Tuck below which is wire-wrapped on one half and what looks to be cord-wrapped on the other half.

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Tuck

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Tuck grip, close-up

I've seen some cool grips, but that wire wrap with wire turks heads on the ends is awesome! :D

There was a sword in west point museum that had an entire wired grip. I'm not sure if that wire was added on later, the label says the sword was from the 13th century.

I can't seem to find a answer my to question and this thread seems appropriate to post it in:

What where half-wires for?
What kind of grips would they be put on? ( as in what shaped grips, only "waisted" grips? )
What advantages/dis-advantages would they bring to the sword...?

And generally any information regarding those two points.

Thank you :).