Sorry for the delay, we are moving/starting a company and generally at sea.
Usually I am more responsive
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I bought this at Christie's at their 12/12/97 auction. Sadly the catalog is in a box somewhere. Eventually I will post the listing.
This was the same auction from which I obtained the Oakeshott sword which has been posted here.
I think that this hilt would properly be called "writhen":
writh·en
2.
(of antique glass or silver) having spirally twisted ornamentation.
I had always thought that this sword was "untouched" and that it was as it was during it's working life, even down to the leather. I wonder if one did a careful examination if one would find traces of blood? I think that is likely.
This is a favorite because I think that it is an object that was actually used by some ordinary guy, not a lord, just a bloke so to speak. My ancestors, of course, would have been running around with their bill hooks and ground scratching implements.
I have a breast and backplate that hold a similar attraction. Munition armor they call it.
Anyway, apologies for not responding sooner but to quote Waugh "to know all is to forgive all" (or words to that effect).