Use of Threaded Screws in Sword Hilt Construction

[Jim McDougall]

In looking at the design and structure of sword hilts as more complex guards developed, one thing that I consider intriguing is the use of threaded screws in securing components. I had not really thought specifically on this topic until noticing that the use of screws in securing arms of the guard to the pommel were a particularly English feature, while this was not the case on Scottish basket hilts. In recently looking at cuphilts there were also screws securing the cup to pas d'ane.

In wondering just how long the threaded screw had been around, I found this reference:

"...although the earliest specimen of screw in the armour collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art was (in 1928) one in company with three rivets in an Italian 15th century war hammer, and the second oldest in the saddle armour of Jacques Galiot de Genouihac, dated 1527, it was not until after 1550 that examples became more plentiful. Of those 16th century screws examined, all were threaded by the file, and gimlet pointed. It is fairly safe to assume that they were only used by armourers, locksmiths and instrument makers at that time. Jacques Bessons "Le Cosmolabe" (Paris,1567) shows screws with gimlet points and thumb grips and a button head set screw.

from : "Ancient Carpenters Tools"
Henry C.Mercer, 2000

For some reason it has always seemed that screws had been around longer, and I am wondered just how early they might have been known to have been used in arms and armour, in one form or another, despite the reference to the examples in the Metropolitan in N.Y.
Also, I'd like to know more on use on various sword hilts, and if this might be a key factor in identifying nationality and period.


All best regards,
Jim