How to display a sword collection. -- myArmoury.com

Peter Cowan

I am a new collector in the area of swords, and I need advice on how to hang them. At the moment I have made some plaques of oak in the shape of shields with two pegs to hold the sword and then mounted the plaques on the wall with screws. Anyone with some other ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Peter Cowan.

Jean Thibodeau

Chad Arnow · myArmoury Team

I have moved this topic to the Off-topic Talk forum.

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"Discussions of general history and other miscellaneous topics relating to arms and armour that do not specifically fit our other forums"

Thank you.

Chad Arnow · myArmoury Team

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Joe Fults · Posted: Mon 23 Apr, 2007 8:39 pm Post subject:

I just use decidedly unsexy planter hangers from the local Lowes.

Sean Flynt · Posted: Tue 24 Apr, 2007 7:13 am Post subject:

Stay tuned to myArmoury.com for details....

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Tue 24 Apr, 2007 10:12 am Post subject:

Sean Flynt · Posted: Tue 24 Apr, 2007 10:19 am Post subject:

It's very tip-resistant as-is, and has to be able to slide away from the wall slightly (for reasons to be revealed later). Those who don't require the sliding function could use L brackets to secure the display to the baseboard of the wall. Also, one could easily add plexiglas and cable locks to prevent removal of the weapons.

Steve Grisetti · Posted: Wed 25 Apr, 2007 6:07 pm Post subject:

M. Eversberg II · Posted: Thu 26 Apr, 2007 8:35 pm Post subject:

I just use an arming table of sorts.

Sean, I await building instructions! Big Grin

M.

Shahril Dzulkifli · Posted: Fri 21 Dec, 2007 7:55 am Post subject: How to display a sword collection

I wonder if I can use swords to decorate my living room. If I do, I will either hang them on the wall or put them on display racks. I think that's an easy thing to do.

Richard Eskite · Posted: Fri 21 Dec, 2007 8:40 am Post subject: Here's a simple idea...

I went out and bought a roll of deep sea fishing leader: thin braided cable which is covered with a layer of vinyl. Along with it, I purchased a handful of crimpers of the appropriate size. Crimping with pliers, I make a loop large enough to slip easily over the blade but not the guard. Using this loop, I just hang what I want to display on a nail in the wall. If you want to get fancy you can use picture hanging hooks. This is very secure, nearly invisible, inexpensive and easy to make. I have also made two loops that fit one sword for horizontal display. Basket hilts can often be supported through the basket with a picture hanging hook and the blade supported by the loop for a horizontal arrangement as well.

I do like the rack illustrated earlier, but my little California beach house is so tight that there isn't a spare corner to accommodate something like that, so wall space is what I use.

Christopher Gregg · Posted: Fri 21 Dec, 2007 9:01 am Post subject: sword display

Peter,

I hang my collection of about 20-odd swords on my living room wall, suspended from (of all things) variously sized picture hanger hooks. Most of my collection have complex hilts, so finding a ring or backsweep to catch on a hook is relatively easy. My few Medieval swords hang from a loop of cord tied around the hilt, which then loops over the picture hook. It appears that the swords are just floating on the wall.

You might think it's not a very safe way to hang them, but in six years (and with a tornado knocking a 70 foot oak on the roof) I've never had one fall. I usually use 20-50 pounder hooks, depending on the size of the guard or blade shoulder of each sword. Hope this suggestion helps! Happy

Ralph Rudolph · Posted: Fri 21 Dec, 2007 3:40 pm Post subject:

I have constructed a holder simply from a wooden panel, two wooden strips and metal bits from the DIY-store (see the picture and a snapshot from the construction drawing done with sketch-up). You glue and screw the first strip to the panel (drill srcew holes first and make sure it is really straight!). Then fasten the second strip in front of the glued one by means of the metal connecting plates, screwed to both from below. I mounted the whole assembly with three massive screws to the wall .
Works perfect for stowing the swords away. Disadvantage: for display, you do hardly see the crossguards.

Now I like to secure the swords against unauthorised use - they are weapons and not without harm in everyone's hands. Has anyone done something like that? How??

Steve Grisetti · Posted: Fri 21 Dec, 2007 5:08 pm Post subject:

I have attached a picture from the Michael D. Long, Ltd. (antique dealer) shop in Leicester (UK). The wall board is pre-made with horizontal tracks to support hooks, which in turn support the swords. The cool thing about this arrangement is that the hooks can be easily relocated along the support tracks. I haven't looked for this material myself, but I think this stuff is available and often used for organizing tools in workshops and garages. Yes, the fat guy obscuring your view is me.

Bob Burns · Posted: Sat 22 Dec, 2007 10:14 pm Post subject:

For my premium swords, those being Albion and Arms & Armor, I have a double fan sword display fan, 7 in the back and 7 in the front, I bought it from Kult of Athena. I also have a polearm stand that holds 5 pieces, and an 8 sword wall rack that I have mounted on top of my sword related DVD case, the bottom is screwed to the top front of the case and the top is screwed to the wall. I have a few swords and polearms running across 3 dimensional gothic wall decor in the living room. Fortunately my wife "Gayle" has a real appreciation for my collection, so much so that I've bought her 5 very nice daggers and I have an Arms & Armor German Rapier in the making for her right now, I already got her the matching parrying dagger.
So I am very lucky in that the motif of the living room and the entry way is done with swords, polearms and daggers, of which Gayle does not mind one bit, as a matter of fact she's very impressed with it! My sword related book library is also in the livingroom, the book case is near 7 feet high and 4 feet wide and it's mostly filled.
I am almost always holding a sword, polearm or dagger while sitting on the couch watching TV or a DVD, maybe doing striking or parrying motions over and over, but I have always got at least one sword with me almost my every waking moment.
The double fan sword stand is a real nice sword display if you can find one and it's not too expensive, I think around $140.00 or so, but not sure of the price anymore.

Good Thread!

Bob