Unique and Impressive Two Handed Sword

[cornelistromp]

the outerline of the engraving the pommel and the guard were done with a hammer and chisel, this was not unusual. see example.
everything looks very good just because the design of the hilt, guard and pommel, is extremely strange makes me doubt.


what I find odd: the shape of the pommel, the diamond-shaped ends of the guard, reminds me a bit of a cleymore.
The ringguards have an unusual outline shape and are forged towards the ends at the cross, and not from the center going outwards.
The small rings on the inside are usually forged on the center block, apart from the outer ring.
The two curls in the center of the quillons are "perfect" in shape, like the relief work on the bottom of the guard, most of the 16thc two-handers show coarse forged ironwork.

The flat diamond-shaped blade did occur in earlier two-handers around the middle of the 16th century.
in the 16th century pareer thorns were forged from the ricasso , while in the 19th century these thorns were often forged and attached separately.

the blades of twohanders later in the 16th century, in combination with this type of pareer thorn, became flat or flat hexagonal, while the blades with thorns pointing towards the hilt are still diamond-shaped.

To me it's kind of a fantasy piece but I can't tell if it was made around/before 1600 or in the 19th century.

best,

[corrado26]

If this sword is of the 16th century is anybody able to tell me how and with which tools this pommel was made without some machinery?

[NeilUK]

I have only just seen this post and agree with the comments on the engraving and chiseling. However I am totally amazed by the style of the hilt - grip, pommel and crossguard. In the course of researching my book I have examined dozens of 2-handed swords in the flesh, so to speak, and hundreds more in photos and have seen nothing like this. The grip is too long proportionally and the midpoint baluster is too fanciful. The pommel and crossguard are just weird even if the actual workmanship is good. For its length as a parade sword it is too light in weight. My opinion is that it is an elaborate attempt to create a 17th century 2-hander, well constructed but horribly inaccurate unless it was intended to be a fantasy sword. Probably 19th century.
Neil

[corrado26]

Originally Posted by NeilUK

Probably 19th century.
Neil

thank you

[CSinTX]

Thanks for the additional thoughts!

To me, it is not fair to dismiss an item because it does not appear in books or in a museum.

I still have a lot to learn about styles and typeology but I feel like I know a 16th C piece when I hold it. On close inspection I just cannot find anything that says to me that it's later. Weight, quality, forging, impact marks, patina, etc all look correct. If it's not 16th C. then I have to question every item out there.

A few more pics because who doesnt love pictures. I tried to capture the wavy "variation" that is present in good blades when viewed lengthwise.

[NeilUK]

Sorry, Casey, but that is my opinion, formed from years of studying 2-handers.
I accept that I have not handled your sword and it is certainly a talking point to hang on the wall.
Regards, Neil

[Cathey]

Hi Guys

Sorry but I concur with Neil's view. Even if this was perhaps a bearing sword not meant for combat, I would have throught something similar would have surfaced in a museum by now.

Sadly, a large number of excellent copies of medieval swords were manufactured as decoration items in the Victorian period and now have age and patina makeing them difficult to spot.

It looks impressive and I hope Neil and I are wrong, but I share his view that this is a decorative piece, maybe late Victorian or even more recent.

The other issue hitting the medieval market now is the practice of smelting down old iron objects to make fake medieval swords that would pass an age test. I am told that this is why so many are now turning up on Ebay.

Naturally I would not expect the purchaser to reveal what was paid for this sword, however price plus the provenance can sometimes complete the picture when it comes to authenticity.

regards Cathey

[awdaniec666]

Originally Posted by CSinTX

... then I have to question every item out there.

This is the beginning of a fascinating, but laborious journey...
Every time I think analizing a sword became easy I notice there is always a new layer of knowledge to be acquired which has been hidden before.
"Feeling" is always good but there were very able craftsmen in the 19th century and even today.

[Philip]

Originally Posted by corrado26

If this sword is of the 16th century is anybody able to tell me how and with which tools this pommel was made without some machinery?

The relatively coarse execution of the design tells me that it was chiseled by hand. Looks like a typical level of craftsmanship for the genre, place, and time.