[Lin Robinson]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/2011...ards-sword

I noticed the story on Yahoo's homepage this afternoon. An antler hilt with gilt trim and part of a blade has been discovered in what are believed to be the remains of Blackbeard's ship, the Queen Anne's Revenge, which sunk off the North Carolina coast in 1718. Here is another link for the excavation project: http://www.qaronline.org/

We visited the NC Mariner's Museum in Beaufort, NC a few years ago and there was a very interesting exhibit on Blackbeard and the ship. Archaelogists are pretty sure that they have found the pirate's ship but absolute proof that is is the Queen Anne's Revenge awaits.

Any way I thought this was interesting. The hilt reminds me of some mid to late 18th c. hunting sword hilts which had a chain running from the guard to the pommel.

[Roger Hooper]

It looks like a fairly typical cuttoe.

The article states - The design and ornamentation of this newest discovery have led the researchers to believe it likely belonged to the notorious pirate himself.

I guess that is possible, though as Lin says, they aren't sure that the wreck is Blackbeard's ship. I wonder if the reporter fancifully amplified what the researchers actually said

[Craig Johnson]

Hi Guys

Yes this is a pretty bog standard bit and I would guess one has little to indicate that it was his sword. The wreck produced this bit but it would not seem to be indicative of who or why it appeared in this context. Here is a bit of film that shows it and talks about the finds. Here are the best pics I could find and many may recognize the style from many such swords on the market and replicated today.

Still cool though

Craig