Can you have too many Sutton Hoo swords? -- myArmoury.com

Paul Mortimer

Here are a few pictures of my new Sutton Hoo Mound 1 sword.

The blade is by Vince Evans, the grip by Dave Roper. Matt Bunker made the scabbard -- I asked him to make me something big and bold. The braid (apart from those attaching the pyramids) was made by Dariusz Wiewiorka and is based on the original - 6mm wide hand woven linen. We have used two different patterns of braid to add interest.

I have had to alter the sword belt and suspension slightly too as we have added he remaining jewels from Mound 1. Three of these have been added to the lower suspension strap. With everything I have tried to stick to the evidence - hence only two gold clips on the grip. All the garnets have cross hatched foils behind them - but these are so small they are difficult to see in the pictures.

The grip is made from two types of horn - the lighter material is translucent.

Paul

Paul Mortimer · Posted: Tue 16 Apr, 2013 6:08 am Post subject:

Here are some pictures of the blade, the underside of the hilt and a little wolf jewel that probably was used as a counterplate to the sword belt buckle. The two wolf's heads are very tiny.

Paul Mortimer · Posted: Tue 16 Apr, 2013 6:12 am Post subject:

...and here is something you don't see everyday: two Sutton Hoo swords - the new one and my Patrick Barta.

Robin Smith · Posted: Tue 16 Apr, 2013 6:20 am Post subject:

Looks great! I particularly like the organic material used for the grip and upper and lower guard. What is it?

Also, I see you decided to use only two of the little plates/bits (not sure what they are called) on the grip. I know this is what is found on the real sword. Compared to your Barta sword, does it affect the feel of the grip in hand at all?

Paul Mortimer · Posted: Tue 16 Apr, 2013 7:42 am Post subject:

Hi Robin,
Thanks Robin. The number of grips doesn't make any discernible difference to the feel of the sword.

The grip material and the sandwich filling on the upper and lower guards are all horn. The white material behind the two sword bosses are deer antler.

Here is a picture of the complete rig.

Paul

Paul Mortimer · Posted: Tue 16 Apr, 2013 8:07 am Post subject:

I forgot to mention that my sword doesn't have a fuller. Vince Evans and I were given access to the original sword out of its case in the backrooms of the British Museum and we could not find any indications that the blade ever had one, hence the lack on mine.

Although there are four bars per side there are some differences in the way that this blade has been constructed when compared to all other replicas of this sword. This was because Vince was able to get a good look at the x-rays of the original and recognised that it was probably made in a different way to what has been assumed up until now. I may ask him to explain.

Jeremy V. Krause · Posted: Tue 16 Apr, 2013 8:28 am Post subject:

Well, that's fairly mind blowing.

Can't really think of more to say, but congratulations on this groundbreaking piece.

Bruce Tordoff · Industry Professional

Superlative job Paul.
I couldnt help noticing that the grip now has 4 concaved sections as opposed to your other one.
Which makes sense, you only having four fingers on your right hand.
I had never noticed the space for an extra digit on your PB version

I also notice the suspension 'buckle' is lower down. But i understand your reasons as mentioned above.

All in all Congrats to yourself and the stunning work of Vince and Dave.

Just in time for Sweden too eh! ;-)

Paul Hansen · Posted: Tue 16 Apr, 2013 11:56 am Post subject:

Now that's a SWORD!!!! Eek!

Impressive work and research!

On a artistic note: I really like the contrast between the two types of horn. Which types are they?

I'd also really appreciate it if you could share some measurements.

Kai Lawson · Posted: Tue 16 Apr, 2013 11:58 am Post subject:

I am in total awe by this sword. Not only is it considerably (in my opinion) more striking than almost all other migration-era swords I've seen, but I REALLY like the hatched gold foil, 2-grip plate grip, and the x-ray based blade reconstruction. Holding the actual piece must have been wonderful as well...

Do you have pictures or know of a reference for pictures for the original scabbard?

Jerry Monaghan · Posted: Wed 17 Apr, 2013 1:22 am Post subject:

hi Paul,

Congratulations on your new Sutton Hoo sword. It looks magnificent. The horn is a great choice for the hilt.

Paul Mortimer · Posted: Wed 17 Apr, 2013 2:22 am Post subject:

Thank you very much for your kind comments, I shall pass them on to the craftsmen who have made this project possible. I will post some statistics later.

Kai, with reference to the scabbard, the remains adhere to the corrosion products of the blade and are degraded to such an extent that no surface decoration or features are to be seen. It was definitely of wood and lined with skin from a long haired animal (as is the new scabbard). No leather covering remains, and it must be admitted, there may not have been one - however, it would be unusual if there weren't. The binding tapes still exist and the extent of the wrap can be worked out - starts at about 16 cms down from the throat - winds its way up and the rewinds back down to around 8 - 9 cms. We have illustrated that by using two different 6mm wide braid. No colours can be determined from the original.

There is a strange trough-shaped piece of wood that was laying along the top of the scabbard from the throat and between the bosses - it is around 10 cms long (I will look it up if anyone wants further details). I used to think it was a scabbard slide -- and that was why my earlier reconstruction had one -but it can't be - it was lying on top of the binding. It could be a sliver of wood that survives from the roof collapse that just happened to end up where it did or something that was laid on top of the sword after its deposition. Anyway, we haven't incorporated it because we have no idea what it is or why it was there. It has been removed from the original by the way.

Peter Johnsson · Industry Professional

Absolutely magnificent. A royal sword.

Congratulations to all involved in its making.
This sword pierces your heart even if you only look at it.

May I dare hope to see it in a months time?

Paul Mortimer · Posted: Wed 17 Apr, 2013 7:49 am Post subject:

Thank you Peter. I shall be bringing it with me, so you will see it.

Provided Swedish customs officials are kind.

Paul

Kai Lawson · Posted: Wed 17 Apr, 2013 8:48 am Post subject:

Do you have length, width and weight? The sword looks so wide and powerful, I'm curious to see how large it actually is. Wikipedia (ugh) lists the swords OAL as 85 cm. Is that accurate? That would make the blade short-er and wide-er, wouldn't it?

I am quite smitten with this sword.

Tim Lison · Posted: Wed 17 Apr, 2013 9:27 am Post subject:

Paul- You CAN have too many Sutton Hoo swords. I can help! Send the one made by Patrick Barta to me, I will keep it for you. Wink

Both truly magnificent swords! The new one is just wonderful. The scabbard may be my favorite scabbard I've ever seen. Top notch! Congratulations.

Matt Corbin · Posted: Wed 17 Apr, 2013 4:42 pm Post subject:

Wow

It simply dwarfs the earlier version from Barta

That is an absolute beast of a blade Big Grin

Vince and everyone else involved in this project have absolutely outdone themselves. Bravo!!!

Cool

Paul Mortimer · Posted: Thu 18 Apr, 2013 8:05 am Post subject:

Some measurements:

length of blade:72 cms
length of hilt: 13.8 cms
width of blade below lower guard: 6 cms
width of blade 10 cms above tip: 5cms
thickness of blade below lower guard: 0.5
thickness of blade 10 cms above tip: 0.4 cms
overall length:85.8 cms
weight: 2 lbs 14 oz = 1.3 kgs

It is quite a heavy sword.

Both Vince and Dave were careful to try and match the measurements of the original, where these can be clearly ascertained. The hilt length is a bit of a guess and slightly (+0.4 cms) longer than that givenat in the published report.

Kai Lawson · Posted: Thu 18 Apr, 2013 8:48 am Post subject:

Thanks! That helps to put something of a perspective on things--a slightly shorter, rather wide blade, with a good amount of mass to it. It likely cuts superbly.

Elling Polden · Posted: Thu 18 Apr, 2013 9:21 am Post subject:

The answer is yes.
Thus, you have to give away one of them.
Preferably to me.

Throw in a gold ring or two, and you'll have yourself a Haroud Comitate for the campaigning season. Wink