dead sword hilt semantics

[Elmereya]

good afternoon, on some swords of this type there is such a sign on the defense, which is the main decorative element in the design of the hilt, or an independent element,
question: is there an understanding of what this symbol means?
in the collage, the top two hilts are attributed to Cromwell. collected from the Internet.
with respect, and I wish you all good health

[Triarii]

I'm not sure which element you are referring too. In English, C19th collectors named these 'mortuary ' swords because some of the typical faces, often with the mid C17th 'van dyke' moustache, supposedly commemorated Charles I, but that isn't true. Mine has a range of faces, one of which looks like a woman and another more like Jesus than Charles I!

If you mean the small side branches with the curled ends, then they are also typical of the style.

The black/gold one is supposedly carried by Cromwell in Ireland, but the provenance is unlikely.

[shayde78]

Originally Posted by Triarii

I'm not sure which element you are referring too. In English, C19th collectors named these 'mortuary ' swords because some of the typical faces, often with the mid C17th 'van dyke' moustache, supposedly commemorated Charles I, but that isn't true. Mine has a range of faces, one of which looks like a woman and another more like Jesus than Charles I!

If you mean the small side branches with the curled ends, then they are also typical of the style.

The black/gold one is supposedly carried by Cromwell in Ireland, but the provenance is unlikely.

Tiari,

I believe Elmereya was referencing the 'ribbon-like' feature of the basket guard, as per the blue 'ribbon' drawn in the middle of the four example pictures. I never picked up on the fact that this feature is oft repeated on these swords, and look forward to seeing what interpretations this forum may yield. My first thought was that perhaps a ribbon of this shape was worn as part of the grieving process - but then I recalled that the term 'mortuary' swords is a collectors' phrase, and that these were not actually swords of mourning.
Just my unlearned musings as I await the experts' opinions

[Elmereya]

thanks for your attention to the topic, yes, I'm talking about this element in the form of an anchor,

[Elmereya]

I could not find any publications on this topic, but if this element is not accidental, then I would like to understand it somehow, maybe some of the participants knows what it is and could share information.
Is it possible to consider this sign as a religious symbol?
Sincerely,.

[Elmereya]

... for example, what comes to mind if you think a little,
if we assume that the sign is not an element of decor, but a symbol, then the interpretation with an anchor is the closest (irminsul probably cannot be considered for this period), in early Christianity this symbol meant the church, as an anchor in a troubled world, or as a last refuge, according to some sources.
an anchor in the context of such a weapon as a symbol of the firmness of faith, and a symbol of punishing justice in the hands of the elect against the condemned (according to Calvin, Cromwell, I mentioned this) and a similar meaning could be laid in a similar object by any opposing side since the 16th century and earlier.
it is quite possible that this is too far-fetched, unprofessional on my part.
I wonder what the opinions will be
Sincerely