[Tim May]

So this is my first post on the forum, having been lurking for about 6 months (wow that does sound a little creepy, but I digress), and I was curious about the Albion Thegn. Though I am in no real financial position to buy one, it really has a hold on me (as all of the Albion Vikings have), though I am curious about the pommel. Is it typical for an Anglo-Saxon sword of that style to have a one piece pommel or a two piece as the Viking swords traditionally do? Just curious, and thanks for countless hours spent marveling on the site and its accumulated wisdom.
-Tim

[B. Stark]

I used to own a Thegn. Albion's version is one piece with the silver wire set into holes on either facing side. I'm not absolutely sure, but I believe that there are historcally examples of both types of construction. Both one and two part pommels. I have no idea how common one was compared to the other though.

In short the Albion Thegn is a deadly little sword, handy, light and quick. Here's a pic of me cutting with mine:

[Peter Johnsson]

Hi Tim,

I think that a two piece construction is to be expected in most cases of these Anglo saxn swords. Some swords have left me to wonder however.

With the Thegn the goal was to make a pommel that looks spot on to an original, regardless of manufacture method.

The two part pommel Vikings were applauded for their authenticity when they came, but still the one piece vikings sold better.

Learning the lesson from that as a designer I go back to the drawing board thinking up ways to combine less costly production methods with higer authenticity visually.
The Thegn is the first example of these.
I am looking forward to including more single piece pommels for the new Viking swords, so that they can meet a demand for less costly solutions.
The two part pommels will still be there for those who think that is an absolute criteria.
For those who are concerned with budget, there will be single piece pommels that look the part of two piece contructions.

In the case of the Thegn I would not like to be absolute in saying *all** were two part constructions, but I think they were. They do look like single piece solutions in many cases, as it is difficult to make out a dividing line between pommel and upper guard.

[Tim May]

Thanks for the replies, especially from such a noted maker as Mr. Johnsson, it truly is a magnificent sword, and I would agree that the one piece pommel versions on the viking line are equally striking as the two (I'm a big fan of the Gotland as well as the Thegn, Huskarl, and Jarl). That picture is just a little mean (and very cool) though, rub it in a little why don't you

[Jeremy V. Krause]

[Geoff Wood]

I think it is difficult, as Peter says, with the type L swords to be certain as to whether they all had two piece pommels or not, and if they were two part, how the two parts were attached. As an example, even as noted a reproducer of historical originals as Mr Barta has made versions of the Nedre Store-Var sword with a pommel held on by rivets through the upper guard (first version) and with the tang going through both parts and peened over the top of the pommel (second version, as currently on his web site). Looking at the drawing of the (remains of the) original in Petersen, one can appreciate that some of this has to be educated guesswork.
Geoff

[Sean Scott]

I ordered a Jarl last month, and the two-piece pommel was the deciding factor.