[Cesare]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

This seems like an Oakeshott Xa, brazil nut pommel mid 10th into late 11th century. The brazil nut more common in Central and Eastern Europe.
While Gyngell and clearly others (as noted here by Cesare) have associated this 'cross potent' (kruckenkruez, crutch cross) with suggestion of a Swiss maker c.1200, this cross was in my opinion, not a makers mark, nor restricted to Switzerland nor that time period.

These crosses were applied to sword blades, often with inscriptions, and typically invocations intended to offer talismanic protection. The practice of placing crosses on sword blades and scabbards dates much farther back.

The 'S' is another thing entirely, and may indeed be a production related mark, while quite possibly another religiously associated symbolic. The use of silver seems quite unusual, as usually these marks were inlain with iron or latten, and as noted the condition of the silver does not seem commensurate with the well aged sword overall. Perhaps the existing marks were inlaid with silver later?

Credo sia necessario che descriva sinteticamente la storia della fortezza.
Fu costruita nella prima metà del 1200 e le guerre iniziarono nella seconda metà del 13°secolo.
Pertanto le armi ritrovate nei pressi della fortezza sono state usate non prima. Tuttavia potrebbero aver usato armi costruite precedentemente. Non dimentichiamo che le armi e in particolare le spade, erano molto costose e non venivano dismesse perché passate di moda.
Pertanto potrebbe essere una spada costruita prima della costruzione della fortezza.
Penso tu abbia ragione sui marchi. Forse la spada proviene dal sud Europa (attuale sud Germania e Austria) e il vero marchio dello spadaio potrebbe essere la "S" in cerchio.(Musciarelli a volte non è molto attendibile)
Comunque, l'uso di metallo prezioso sulle lame di spada non è poi così raro. Molti marchi e decorazioni che ho trovato sulle lame di spade e pugnali del museo sono in argento e persino oro.

grazie
Cesare
I believe it is necessary for summarizing the history of the fortress.
It was built in the first half of 1200 and the wars began in the second half of the 13th century.
Therefore, the weapons found near the fort were not used before. They could however have used weapons made previously. Do not forget that the weapons and swords in particular, were very expensive and would not be abandoned because out of fashion.

I think you're right on the mark. Maybe the sword is from the south of Europe (now southern Germany and Austria) and the true mark of the swordsmith could be the "S" in a circle. (Musciarelli, sometimes is not very reliable)
However, the use of precious metal on the blade of the sword is not so rare. Many marks and decorations that I found on the blades of swords and daggers of the museum are silver and even gold inlaid.

thanks
Cerare