there's a welder, sheet metal brake, grinder, belt, punch, press...don't know what else, but with my own anvil, stump and throatless shear that's not a bad setup for armour production.

Not to derail the topic, just saying that I made this with less tools, so that's actually a great setup for armouring IMO.
Also wanted to say that I enjoy your projects very much, you execute these with remarkable precision.

I stated earlier that I thought this guard form is not always roped. I was thinking more of side-guards in general, I guess, because as I look more in detail at this exact form I'm not yet seeing any that are not filed. It might be a geographically distinctive type (more than just "German," I mean) that really does require this treatment.

The first image I posted in this thread doesn't seem to show a filed guard but it's not exactly the same type of guard either.

On the other hand, my pommel is an unusual match for the guard as well, so it's already an outlier.

On yet another hand (that's three :eek:) roping would eliminate some of the minor surface flaws of the guard--pits, nicks, etc. Could I do it in a way that harmonizes with the less complex pommel? Hmmmm...

The more I look at the first image in this thread, the less I'm convinced that it's the type of pommel I've created. It may be the more typical tapered and spirally filed pommel. Might have to settle for making an elegant and plausible piece in the spirit of the period rather than one directly inspired by originals or artwork. :\

As far as I can see, these pommels are more or less the same width as the blades, and somewhat "squished". Your pommel seems that wide but spherical, which would mean that you probably have enough material there to reshape and spiral-file it and still get a proper PoB (that is, if the blade is comparable to the originals). This of course would make most your previous work on the pommel go waste (which would be a shame as it's very nice), but you have to decide what do you want exactly.
I like it as it is now, and I'm almost certain that with enough digging you'd find something from that period looking like your current version. Also I might be completely wrong.
(ps.: thanks for the compliment, I just mixed up several stuff I liked and tried to keep it Gothic, never had any idea that there's comparable historical armour.)

It's bean a long, cold, lonely winter...here comes the sun. Progress on the gaurd and pommel, and a new blade(!).

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Hey Sean,

Quiet excited by this project of yours and looking forward to see further developments.

What's the new blade? Full length pictures are "de rigueur"!

Did you get a chance to weld your guard quillons?

Please go to your workbench asap:)

Is that Windlass 15th century longsword blade?

the guard is repaired and looking good. i got a WS 15th c sword in the mrl deal of the day, tried the blade on this hilt and liked it better, albeit with a shortened ricasso. the 15th c sword pommel is the srew-on type, not drilled through, so if you want to keep longsword proportions with a proper pommel you need to create new tang somehow. might make the lower half of the blade lenticular.

as for the dürer, i'm thinking about using that with the modified 15th c guard and an a&a "doorknob" pommel. I'd take some inspiration from that wonderful longsword in the wallace collection, Julien!

My progress on this project barely counts as progress at all. :( Still, I think it's time to put away the files as far as the guard is concerned. Here's the before/after.

This was doing it the hard way, for sure. Those of you blessed with welding education will wonder why I went to all this trouble for a bar and ring. Alas, I don't weld, but learning is on my wish list.

I feel better about the work looking at these side-by-side. It's a transformation, if a bit flawed. My plan is to blue the hilt, partly to hide some pitting but also because blackening was a common hilt treatment on German longswords/sabers in this period and I like the look.

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Great stuff, Sean ... looking forward to the next update!

The pommel is done except for a final finish. Haven't decided on blued or bright, and that will probably be the last choice before assembly. I still need to make a floral pommel nut, but I've started the grip.

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Just the grip to finish now. Needs two more risers and the wrap.

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Love it! Watching this project unfold is like getting surprise presents in the mail.

Great work and a tremendous upgrade from nice to spectacular. :D :cool:

just have to assemble!

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Always a pleasure looking and reading of your projects.
Thanks Sean