Sword fragment - opinions

[Helleri]

It seems to be (from whats left of it) very inline with the dimensions, form and features of an arming sword. And if it were an arming sword and European (that it could be is speculative). You might want to use Oakshott typology to help classify it. I may be wrong but that looks like a type H pommel and type 11 guard. I don't think the blade itself could be fairly categorized.

[stekemest]

Im sure this is an Original, it looks that it has been chemically cleaned before and now it has rusted again.

I completely agree. It is very likely an original, but the surface has been badly damaged, probably by electrolysis or some sort of acid.

[AHorsa]

thanks for the replies, stekemest and helleri. will have some investigation in this direction.
here are some pics of the end of the pommel. the little pin / rivet is missing, probably broken off or rusted away.

best regards
andreas

[stekemest]

The new pictures convince me it is an original. Congratulations.

[AHorsa]

Dear all,

after this sword fragment did find its way back to me yesterday, I´d love to find out more about its age and geographic background. Any opinions warmly appreciated.

To complete the dimensions: The blade is 43mm wide.

Kind regards
Andreas

[Reventlov]

Hi Andreas,

The typology of your sword (type H/I disk pommel, type 2 cross) is very similar to a family with some famous members, like the swords from the River Witham and Whittlesea Mere, which have elaborate inscriptions. Examples are widely scattered around Europe, and I would guess their age overall as around 1200-1250.

While looking in my files for some examples to share, I think I have actually stumbled upon your sword itself! It was found in Slovakia, in 1971. I will copy below the description published in Aleksic's Swords from Southeastern Europe. Notice that the length corresponds to your measurement. More information and the illustration are in a recent thesis, Chladné zbrane 10. – 16. storočia pochádzajúce z rieky Váh, by Michal Labuda.

54. Dead backwater of r. Váh, site Pasínek, near Šoporňa, western Slovakia, chance find. Type: I, ?, 2.
L= 33.4*; BL= 15.7*; HL= 18.2; CL= 18.7; BW= 4.5; PH= 5.5; PW= 6; TL= 11.5. Dat.: around 2/2
XIII – beg.of XIV c. Lit.: Katkin 1996, 106.

Best regards,
Mark

[AHorsa]

Originally Posted by Reventlov

Hi Andreas,

The typology of your sword (type H/I disk pommel, type 2 cross) is very similar to a family with some famous members, like the swords from the River Witham and Whittlesea Mere, which have elaborate inscriptions. Examples are widely scattered around Europe, and I would guess their age overall as around 1200-1250.

While looking in my files for some examples to share, I think I have actually stumbled upon your sword itself! It was found in Slovakia, in 1971. I will copy below the description published in Aleksic's Swords from Southeastern Europe. Notice that the length corresponds to your measurement. More information and the illustration are in a recent thesis, Chladné zbrane 10. – 16. storočia pochádzajúce z rieky Váh, by Michal Labuda.

54. Dead backwater of r. Váh, site Pasínek, near Šoporňa, western Slovakia, chance find. Type: I, ?, 2.
L= 33.4*; BL= 15.7*; HL= 18.2; CL= 18.7; BW= 4.5; PH= 5.5; PW= 6; TL= 11.5. Dat.: around 2/2
XIII – beg.of XIV c. Lit.: Katkin 1996, 106.

Best regards,
Mark

Woooooow Mark!! You are kiddding me. How cool is that! Thank you very much mate!

@Will: Yes, it is definetely broken and not rusted away. I guess battle damaged. I was planning to put it on an acryl stand, but now thinking about putting it into a wooden frame on the wall.

Best regards
Andreas