Open Ring Irish Swords -- myArmoury.com

Kirk Lee Spencer · Posted: Sat 26 Nov, 2005 8:46 pm Post subject: Open Ring Irish Swords

Hi All…

Up until last year, I had only seen one picture of a particular hand and a half version of the Irish open ring sword. It was one of the most graceful swords I had ever seen. Then early last year I found a couple of really blurry museum photos of the pommel of this sword on the internet. In a post here at myArmoury, I requested more info and Thomas McDonald sent me a scan of Tony Willis article “A Two Handed Gaelic Irish Sword of the Sixteenth Century” published in 15th Park Lane Arms Fair Catalog. (Thanks Mac!). At the time the article was published, this beautiful sword was hidden away in a private collection. However, at some point it has found its way into a display case at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin.

Here are the stats:

Overall Length: 49 inches (125cm)
Blade Length: 38 inches (97cm)
Blade Width: 1.5 inches (40mm)
Diameter of Pommel: 2.5 inches (675mm)
Cross Length: 11 inches (29cm)

Here is a photo mosaic of images I have collected of this particular sword. Some of the more complete photos were posted by Jay Barron (I think).

(Note the channel on the outer perimeter and the way the inside of the ring looks rounded.)

ks

Kirk Lee Spencer · Posted: Sat 26 Nov, 2005 8:51 pm Post subject:

In his article on this sword, Tony Willis expresses the opinion that the open ring pommel developed from wheel pommels with concave faces. A while back Mac posted some of Vince Evans pictures of a Scottish sword with just such a pommel. If I remember right it was hollow inside… In essence they were hollow open rings with thin metal plates over each face. To produce the open ring hilt all one would need to do is leave off the thin metal face plates.

ks

Kirk Lee Spencer · Posted: Sat 26 Nov, 2005 8:56 pm Post subject:

Willis believe the blade was made on continent, but engravings were cut in Ireland. The blade has engravings on both sides of the forte of the blade. One side is a Celtic Cross and the other side is a standing robed figure holding two rods in the air. Who might this robed figure represent? Based upon the juxtaposition of Celtic Crosses and carvings of the Resurrected Christ on sculptures at Durrow, CoOffaly and Muiredach’s Cross at Monasterboice, Co Louth, Willis suggests that the figure opposite the Celtic Cross may be Christ. The idea is that one side recalls Christ’s crucifixion on the cross and the other side shows Christ in his resurrected glory as an appropriate counterpoint to the cross. Other possibilities for the robed figure would be St Patrick or some other saint. The images I have of these faint engravings below the thick patina are quite poor. However if you use your imagination you may be able to see them… At least I think I can see them.

ks

Kirk Lee Spencer · Posted: Sat 26 Nov, 2005 9:02 pm Post subject:

In his article Tony Willis says there are only about a dozen or so such open ring swords known to historians, most of these being single-handed versions. (Its rarity may be why Oakeshott does not give the ring pommels a type designation.)

Here are a few archeological drawings I found in “Irish Medieval Swords c.1170-1600" by Andrew Halpin, 1986.

ks

Kirk Lee Spencer · Posted: Sat 26 Nov, 2005 9:07 pm Post subject:

And a couple more...

(Note that the Portglenone sword also has a groove around the outer perimeter)

ks

Kirk Lee Spencer · Posted: Sat 26 Nov, 2005 9:10 pm Post subject:

And now for something completely different...

Well maybe not completely Big Grin

Though I have never cared much for fantasy swords, I really liked the Andruil sword from Lord of the Rings movies. In the summer of 2004 on the way to the Atlanta blade show, I stopped in at the Museum Replicas Limited showroom and in the clearance bin I found an MRL Irish hand and a half sword… for $70! I decided to try to satisfy two urges at one time. I would redo the Irish Ring sword (I wanted) to look like LOTR Andruil (which I admired).

Here is a picture of the original sword, the MRL replica as bought and what it looked like when I was finished with it:

ks

Patrick Kelly · Posted: Sat 26 Nov, 2005 9:12 pm Post subject:

Kirk,

Those are very nice alterations. I think it greatly improves the look of the sword. Can we get a close-up of the hilt and the mark on the blade?

Kirk Lee Spencer · Posted: Sat 26 Nov, 2005 9:15 pm Post subject:

Here is what the components looked like before I put the leather covering on the lower grip and reassembled the hilt.

If you would like more information on how the hilt was redesigned and see more progress pictures click here:
Home Improvement Forum at SFI

ks

Kirk Lee Spencer · Posted: Sat 26 Nov, 2005 9:21 pm Post subject:

After many months of redoing and redoing my redos… this is how it finished up.

Kirk Lee Spencer · Posted: Sat 26 Nov, 2005 9:23 pm Post subject:

Here is a close up of the Grip, then a picture of the sword in hand and finally a shot of the engraved Celtic Cross on the forte.

Patrick Kelly · Posted: Sat 26 Nov, 2005 9:23 pm Post subject:

Looks great Kirk. I'm always impressed by the aesthetic value of your projects.

Kirk Lee Spencer · Posted: Sat 26 Nov, 2005 9:25 pm Post subject:

The leaves were so colorful I just had to get a few shots against my Japanese maples.

Take care...

ks

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Sat 26 Nov, 2005 9:42 pm Post subject:

Really nice Kirk, very impressive work. Oh, and the photographs are very nice also, would make great desktop background.

Bill Grandy · myArmoury Team

Kirk, that is fantastic work! I really, really like what you've done with this sword, especially because the regular version has never appealed to me at all. Great work!

Henrik Bjoern Boegh · Posted: Sun 27 Nov, 2005 2:39 am Post subject:

Hello Kirk,

That looks great! Thanks for posting the pictures of both the historical ones, and that nice project of yours.
I really like the colours you've used on the leather; the contrast between that green and reddish-brown is awsome.
Have you made the engraving your self or was that something made by windlass???

Here's a link to Nathan Bell's Irish Arms Irish ring hilted sword: http://www.myArmoury.com/nateb_swor_ia_ring.html?5

By the way, how's it going with your basket hilted cutlass project?

Cheers,
Henrik

Patrik Erik Lars Lindblom · Posted: Sun 27 Nov, 2005 4:59 am Post subject:

You have really take a big step forward in your works Kirk! Cool

Was there any changes on COP on the blade after you have work on it ?

Steve Grisetti · Posted: Sun 27 Nov, 2005 7:28 am Post subject:

Beautiful work, Kirk, as always!

Wolfgang Armbruster · Posted: Sun 27 Nov, 2005 7:41 am Post subject:

That sword looks really amazing!
I especially like this s-curved cross-guard. Haven't seen this type on any other sword.
I wonder how these ring-hilted swords handle due to the lighter pommel.

Henrik Bjoern Boegh · Posted: Sun 27 Nov, 2005 7:51 am Post subject:

I checked the SFI post that Kirk did, and read how he made the engraving... Very nice cross indeed.
Stupid of me to even consider it was engraved by Windlass :-P

The post on SFI is very informative and shows a lot of in progress photos. I recommend you all take a look at it!

Cheers,
Henrik

Boris Bedrosov · Industry Professional

Hi, Kirk!

Very impressive work! Congratulations Laughing Out Loud

I have only one question - what is the behavior of this long and (maybe) heavy sword with relatively light pommel?

Regards!
Boris