Seeking Help with Excavated 1728 Pattern Bilbo Sword

Jerseyman · 4th March 2023, 08:38 PM

I can't help with the sword as it's outside my area of knowledge, but I do have a couple of thoughts.

The decoration looks to me like a specifically Rococo version of a fleur de lis with a running knot and ribbon, or knotted vegetal motif. We can also see the decoration continuing onto the tang for half an inch, which may be an indication of good quality craftsmanship.

My other thought is in regards to the edge damage. Usually I'm of the opinion that so called 'battle damage' is simply the grandkids destroying antiques in the back garden, but I'm interested in the different angles and depth of penetration on this blade. It speaks to me of close quarters fighting with both head and body attacks. If it is what it appears to be, then it's very interesting to see, because most weapon damage gets cleaned up after the action is over, unless of course the weapon is lost or discarded, as this one may have been.

4th March 2023, 08:38 PM	#1
Jerseyman Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 97	I can't help with the sword as it's outside my area of knowledge, but I do have a couple of thoughts. The decoration looks to me like a specifically Rococo version of a fleur de lis with a running knot and ribbon, or knotted vegetal motif. We can also see the decoration continuing onto the tang for half an inch, which may be an indication of good quality craftsmanship. My other thought is in regards to the edge damage. Usually I'm of the opinion that so called 'battle damage' is simply the grandkids destroying antiques in the back garden, but I'm interested in the different angles and depth of penetration on this blade. It speaks to me of close quarters fighting with both head and body attacks. If it is what it appears to be, then it's very interesting to see, because most weapon damage gets cleaned up after the action is over, unless of course the weapon is lost or discarded, as this one may have been.