Hounslow Sword Factory

Jim McDougall · 25th February 2024, 06:13 AM

Keith and Peter, thank you guys!
This really brings back all the research we did which Keith brilliantly put together in his book, and as noted Hounslow was indeed the cornerstone for Shotley Bridge. It is amazing how little attention these important chapters in British swords making history have received in all the literature published through the years.

The complexity and intrigues in these areas of sword making in Britain are fascinating topics, but challenging, which is likely why there does not seem to be a great deal of interest overall in these topics. In my view, that very esoterica is what makes these kinds of topics so fascinating.

Triarii · 25th February 2024, 04:06 PM

Thanks all.

I have indeed been scraping together all sorts on Hounslow, however fragmentary. Benjamin Stones PR puff when he sets it up gives an idea of intended if not actual output, though the total demand of the wars vastly exceeded Hounslow so I'm still inclined to believe that import blades formed the majority of those used, though mainstream histories of the ECW just state that large amounts were imported.

C17th Birmingham I am just looking into for an idea of its volume of production, though Prince Rupert wrecked a lot of the town in April 1643 following the skirmish at Camp Hill. At least one of the premises burnt was a cutlers as the owner writes an account of the destruction.

The first use of Me Fecit Hounslow will be interesting - the format seen seems to vary, indicating that individual smiths had their own choice. Of course many Hounslow swords blades may be unmarked or have only the smiths name on the blade. As we don't have an definitive list of those smiths then anything is possible.

"The Early Basket Hilt in Britain" by Claude Blair, in "Scottish Weapons and Fortifications" (ed. David Caldwell, 1981) is an excellent book I acquired after a recommendation on here after I bought an Irish Hilt (with the blade by Wilhelm Tessche of Solingen). Far more useful than Mazansky to be honest.

I have Bezdek so will see what English makers names appear for the early to mid C17th, if any.

On the so-called Hounslow hangers, of my three, one has the crowned orb typical of German blades, another has the Passau wolf of Solingen and the third has the spurious 'Andrea Ferrara'.

25th February 2024, 06:13 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,190	Keith and Peter, thank you guys! This really brings back all the research we did which Keith brilliantly put together in his book, and as noted Hounslow was indeed the cornerstone for Shotley Bridge. It is amazing how little attention these important chapters in British swords making history have received in all the literature published through the years. The complexity and intrigues in these areas of sword making in Britain are fascinating topics, but challenging, which is likely why there does not seem to be a great deal of interest overall in these topics. In my view, that very esoterica is what makes these kinds of topics so fascinating.

25th February 2024, 04:06 PM	#2
Triarii Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Bristol Posts: 120	Thanks all. I have indeed been scraping together all sorts on Hounslow, however fragmentary. Benjamin Stones PR puff when he sets it up gives an idea of intended if not actual output, though the total demand of the wars vastly exceeded Hounslow so I'm still inclined to believe that import blades formed the majority of those used, though mainstream histories of the ECW just state that large amounts were imported. C17th Birmingham I am just looking into for an idea of its volume of production, though Prince Rupert wrecked a lot of the town in April 1643 following the skirmish at Camp Hill. At least one of the premises burnt was a cutlers as the owner writes an account of the destruction. The first use of Me Fecit Hounslow will be interesting - the format seen seems to vary, indicating that individual smiths had their own choice. Of course many Hounslow swords blades may be unmarked or have only the smiths name on the blade. As we don't have an definitive list of those smiths then anything is possible. "The Early Basket Hilt in Britain" by Claude Blair, in "Scottish Weapons and Fortifications" (ed. David Caldwell, 1981) is an excellent book I acquired after a recommendation on here after I bought an Irish Hilt (with the blade by Wilhelm Tessche of Solingen). Far more useful than Mazansky to be honest. I have Bezdek so will see what English makers names appear for the early to mid C17th, if any. On the so-called Hounslow hangers, of my three, one has the crowned orb typical of German blades, another has the Passau wolf of Solingen and the third has the spurious 'Andrea Ferrara'.