Images of 7th Cent. Anglo-Saxon ring-hilt swords -- myArmoury.com

Peter Cowan

I am looking for images of Anglo-Saxon ring-hit swords, particularly the Dover ring sword or perhaps the Sutton Hoo ring-hilt.
I have had no luck so far, just hint in different books.
Any help would be much appreciated.

Stephen Wheatley · Posted: Thu 02 Sep, 2010 7:10 am Post subject:

Peter - my scanners down otherwise I could send you some. Try getting hold of a copy of ''The Sword in Anglo-Saxon England'', HR Ellis Davidson, some nice illustrations of ring pommel swords.

Paul Hansen · Posted: Fri 03 Sep, 2010 11:45 am Post subject:

Here you go. From "'The Sword in Anglo-Saxon England''.

Kirk Lee Spencer

Peter Cowan

Thanks Paul and Stephen for your posts. I should have mentioned that I have several books including Davidson's but I looked up the Behmer book and it was $630 so way out of my league.
Kirk, thank you especially for the images and the Sword forums thread. Great pictures.
I always follow your articles here and you have been a great help since I joined.
I am getting an Anglo-saxon 7th cent. sword made in early 2011 and this is the reason for my request.
I will be posting this sword(12 bar) when it is finished.

Antonio Lamadrid · Posted: Fri 03 Sep, 2010 11:52 pm Post subject:

Info about the Coombe Sword, early type from Kent with loose ring.

http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/arch-...01_041.pdf

Paul Hansen · Posted: Sat 04 Sep, 2010 11:44 am Post subject:

You should be able to get a copy of Behmer for about E100-200. I think I paid E100 for mine a few years ago.

Still quite a bit of money though...

Who's making your sword?

Peter Cowan · Posted: Sat 04 Sep, 2010 5:02 pm Post subject:

Antonio, thanks for the coombe sword images. A little too early for me.
Paul, I have just broken down and bought E. Behmer's book for 200euros.
I am getting Richard Furrer from Wisconsin to make the sword. He has the
rough blank made already, but it will be next year before the hilt is made.
Very exciting!!

Richard Furrer · Industry Professional

Hello All,
Peter has commissioned the completion of the 12 bar composite blade below and is searching for information on a handle to match.
http://www.doorcountyforgeworks.com/Work_in_progress.html
(I do not give out client information so if Peter had not mentioned it neither would I)

I guess the larger question is....what hilt/scabbard befits this unique blade?

Carved ivory with gold wire
or
bog oak with horn and silver wire work
or
Inlayed Garnets and gold filigree wire
or
enamel glass over a gold background with matching scabbard buttons on tooled leather scabbard

Its Peter's sword, but I am certain he wishes to explore the possibilities.
So what Hilt needs to be seen on this blade?

Ric

Paul Hansen · Posted: Mon 06 Sep, 2010 10:48 am Post subject:

Good question...

For this sword, I think the following is more or less mandatory:
- Cocked hat pommel, with or without ring
- Sandwiched metal-organic-metal upper and lower guards
- Organic grip, either bare, with clips (like 60b in the attached pic) or cylindrical fittings (like 60a, both are from Nocera Umbra).

Since this would have been an extremely high status sword, I think that garnet cloisonné work on the pommel would be likely, but of course it depends on taste and affordability. If you do decide to go this route, then I would use real garnets instead of glass, although green coloured glass was occasionally used. This gives a really striking effect, but in my opinion should not be used to imitate garnets. A completely period way of reducing cost is to use gold-plated silver or bronze instead of solid gold.

I would also not use bog oak, as I don't think it's likely to have been used in period. I do like the white and gold combination, so bone, horn or ivory would be nice. But black horn is also possible, as are native woods.