March 18, 2006 - The International Ethnographic Arms and Armor Heritage Organization 5th Annual Timonium Ethnographic Arms Seminar and Dinner. Timonium is a suburb of Baltimore, Maryland. This year's sessions are focused on wootz steel and African weapons; registration is free.
February 26, 2006 - The Spring London Park Lane Arms Fair. The Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, London, England; open to public 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Contact David Oliver; Pennystane; Church Lane; Thropton nr. Morpeth; Northumberland NE65 7JB; UNITED KINGDOM; telephone 01669 620618.
September 16 to 18, 2005 - Sword 2005. The topic of the annual Ashokan Seminar of the New England Bladesmiths' Guild (in the New York Catskills) for the year 2005 is to be the design and making of swords, starting with the smelting of ore and is being coordinated by Dan Maragni. The schedule of events is pending. New England Bladesmith's Guild; c/o Ashokan Field Campus; 477 Beaverkill Road; Olivebridge, NY 12461-5702.
March 18 and 19, 2005 - The International Ethnographic Arms and Armor Heritage Organization 4th Annual Timonium Ethnographic Arms Seminar and Dinner. This event will tentatively cover two evenings in 2005, with the first evening focused on medieval topics and the second on a wide range of ethnographic arms.
February 27, 2005 - The Spring London Park Lane Arms Fair. The Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, London, England; open to public 10:00 am - 4:30 pm. Contact David Oliver; Pennystane; Church Lane; Thropton nr. Morpeth; Northumberland NE65 7JB; UNITED KINGDOM; telephone 01669 620618. A few medieval swords will almost always turn up at this event.
November 28, 2004 - The Autumn London Park Lane Arms Fair. The Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, London, England; open to public 10:00 am - 4:30 pm. Contact David Oliver; Pennystane; Church Lane; Thropton nr. Morpeth; Northumberland NE65 7JB; UNITED KINGDOM; telephone 01669 620618.
March 20 and 21, 2004 - The "Original Baltimore" Antique Arms Show. Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, Maryland (North of Baltimore) on York Road (Maryland State Route 45), USA; open to public 9 a.m. to 5 p.m (on Saturday) and 3 p.m. (on Sunday). Contact: Maryland Arms Collectors Association, Inc., PMB 476, 6400 Baltimore National Pike, Baltimore, MD 21228. Genuine medieval swords have been known to turn up at this show, however, extreme caution is advised as very deceptive and convincing fakes may also be on offer.
February 15, 2004 - The Spring London Park Lane Arms Fair. The Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, London, England; open to public 10:00 am - 4:30 pm. Contact David Oliver; Pennystane; Church Lane; Thropton nr. Morpeth; Northumberland NE65 7JB; UNITED KINGDOM; telephone 01669 620618. A few medieval swords will almost always turn up at this event.
November 16, 2003 - The Autumn London Park Lane Arms Fair. The Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, London, England; open to public 10:00 am - 4:30 pm. Contact David Oliver; Pennystane; Church Lane; Thropton nr. Morpeth; Northumberland NE65 7JB; UNITED KINGDOM; telephone 01669 620618.
March 15 and 16, 2003 - The "Original Baltimore" Antique Arms Show. Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, Maryland (North of Baltimore) on York Road (Maryland State Route 45), USA; open to public 9 a.m. to 5 p.m (on Saturday) and 3 p.m. (on Sunday). Contact: Maryland Arms Collectors Association, Inc., PMB 476, 6400 Baltimore National Pike, Baltimore, MD 21228. A few swords in medieval European style were out on tables...
February 16, 2003 - The Twentieth Park Lane Arms Fair. The Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, London, England; open to public 10:00 am - 4:30 pm. Contact David Oliver; Pennystane; Church Lane; Thropton nr. Morpeth; Northumberland NE65 7JB; UNITED KINGDOM; telephone 01669 620618. A few medieval swords will almost always turn up at this event. A good year for medieval swords at the Park Lane fair with at least four on public offer.
October 13, 2002 - The First Autumn London Park Lane Arms Fair. The Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, London, England; open to public 10:00 am - 4:30 pm. Contact David Oliver; Pennystane; Church Lane; Thropton nr. Morpeth; Northumberland NE65 7JB; UNITED KINGDOM; telephone 01669 620618. No catalogue, but admission is reduced to £6.00.
March 16 and 17, 2002 - The "Original Baltimore" Antique Arms Show. Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, Maryland (North of Baltimore) on York Road (Maryland State Route 45), USA; open to public 9 a.m. to 5 p.m (on Saturday) and 3 p.m. (on Sunday). Contact: Maryland Arms Collectors Association, Inc., PMB 476, 6400 Baltimore National Pike, Baltimore, MD 21228. One or two medieval swords have been known to turn up annually at this show, which is generally the best bet on the US east coast, although no definite examples were seen in 1998, 1999 or 2000. This year (2002), there were two apparent medieval swords out on one table, one with a brazil nut pommel and the other with a disc pommel. Experienced observers were split as to whether or not these were "right"; I being on the more skeptical side, especially as I was still acutely "stinging" at the time from a folly of the ebay kind.
February 17, 2002 - The Nineteenth Park Lane Arms Fair. The Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, London, England; open to public 10:00 am - 4:30 pm. Contact David Oliver; Pennystane; Church Lane; Thropton nr. Morpeth; Northumberland NE65 7JB; UNITED KINGDOM; telephone 01669 620618. A few medieval swords will almost always turn up at this event and this year was no exception. Of the five out on tables, both of the two that were for sale (as opposed to display) sold quickly in the morning. And, at least one other changed hands more discreetly.
April 24, 2001 - Christie's London (England), King Street in London. Consisting of much of the arms, armour and books from the R. T. Gwynn collection that have not already been sold privately. An early sword with a tea-cosy pommel (lot 46 £11,162) is included in the sale as are two 14th century swords (lots 44 £4,935 and 45 £10,575), also in excavated condition. The strong prices realized are not unexpected, considering the provenance of the collection, as well as of these items.
February 18, 2001 - The Eighteenth Park Lane Arms Fair. The Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, London, England; open to public 10:00 am - 4:30 pm. Contact David Oliver; Pennystane; Church Lane; Thropton nr. Morpeth; Northumberland NE65 7JB; UNITED KINGDOM; telephone 01669 620618. A few medieval swords will almost always turn up at this event.
October 21, 2000 to January 20, 2001 - Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga in New York City at the American Museum of Natural History. A travelling exhibition which began at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. and which will travel to other cities in the U.S. and Canada through October 14, 2002. The exhibit includes over three hundred artifacts, including swords. Further details are available on the Smithsonian website.
September 15 to 17, 2000 - Sword 2000 - The topic of the annual Ashokan Seminar of the New England Bladesmiths Guild (in the New York Catskills) for the year 2000 is to be the design and making of swords with an emphasis on the presentation of a wide cross-section of historical and ethnic styles. A team of demonstrators being coordinated by Dan Maragni will guide a diverse group of both collectors and bladesmiths to together explore the preceding 3,500 years of swords worldwide. The schedule of events is posted at the link above. Participation will be limited to the first 80 registrants. New England Bladesmith's Guild; c/o Ashokan Field Campus; 477 Beaverkill Road; Olivebridge, NY 12461-5702; (914) 657-8333; afcoerc@ulster.net.An illustrated report of this event may be found on the Historical Armed Combat Association (HACA) website.
March 18 and 19, 2000 - The 46th "Original Baltimore" Antique Arms Show. Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, Maryland (North of Baltimore) on York Road (Maryland State Route 45), USA; open to public 9 a.m. to 5 p.m (on Saturday) and 3 p.m. (on Sunday). Contact: Maryland Arms Collectors Association, Inc.; P.O. Box 228; Riderwood, MD 21139. One or two medieval swords have been known to turn up annually at this show, which is generally the best bet on the US east coast, although no definite examples were seen in 1998 or 1999. When present, the good ones are usually out of view under the dealer's tables, so it is most likely that you will see none unless you know who to ask (see the dealers section, noting that it is incomplete). A few outright fakes, remounted kaskaras and artificially aged, once legitimate reproductions may also be out, so novices beware! Again, no medieval swords were publically on offer. There was a kaskara of the sort having a blade easily mistaken for European medieval style behind a dealer's table and not for sale. Hopefully it will still be a kaskara a year from now.
February 20, 2000 - The Seventeenth Park Lane Arms Fair. The Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, London, England; open to public 10:00 am - 4:30 pm. Contact David Oliver; Pennystane; Church Lane; Thropton nr. Morpeth; Northumberland NE65 7JB; UNITED KINGDOM; telephone 01669 620618. A few medieval swords will almost always turn up at this event, usually about half a dozen. Please refer to this forum posting for a report on this event.
December 16, 1999 - Christie's London (England), auction Brander 6217, back on King Street. This sale includes four excavated medieval swords, being the same which were withdrawn from the July 15, 1998 sale, dating from the 12th to 14th Century with catalog upper price estimates ranging from £1,500 to £3,500; lots 18 through 21.
September 10 to 12, 1999 - The Full Circle: A Two Day Seminar on the Development and Evolution of Body Armour from Ancient Times to the Present Day. Sponsored by and held at the Royal Armouries Leeds. The seminar registration fee is £85. Contact: Lynne Hardwick, The Royal Armouries, Armouries Drive, Leeds, LS10 1LT, UNITED KINGDOM; telephone 0113 220 1946 (from the U.S. dial: 011-44-113 220 1946).
July 13, 1999 - Sotheby's South (Summers Place; Sussex, England), auction B09767. Lot 183 (illustrated in the catalog) is described as a composite medieval sword, partly 15th Century, of Oakeshott type XVII. The catalogue notes suspicions that the cross-guard is a modern replacement. The estimate is £3,000 - 4,000.
May 11, 1999 - Christie's East (New York, NY), auction Hutton-8239. This sale includes a single medieval sword, cataloged as "probably early 15th Century" which is in excavated condition and which has a bronze wheel pommel and a tapering 28.5 inch double-edged blade with a fuller of moderate width. If the photo is an accurate indication, don't believe the upper price estimate of $1,500; lot 91. The hammer price was $7,500.
March 20 and 21, 1999 - The 45th "Original Baltimore" Antique Arms Show. Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, Maryland (North of Baltimore) on York Road (Maryland State Route 45), USA; open to public 9 a.m. to 5 p.m (on Saturday) and 3 p.m. (on Sunday). Contact: Maryland Arms Collectors Association, Inc.; P.O. Box 228; Riderwood, MD 21139. No medieval swords were seen in 1999.
February 28, 1999 - The Sixteenth Park Lane Arms Fair. The Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, London, England; open to public 10:30 am - 4:30 pm. Contact David Oliver; Pennystane; Church Lane; Thropton nr. Morpeth; Northumberland NE65 7JB; UNITED KINGDOM; telephone 01669 620618. A few medieval swords will almost always turn up at this event, usually about half a dozen.
July 15, 1998 - Christie's South Kensington (London, England), auction ARM-8073. This sale includes four excavated medieval swords, dating from the 12th to 14th Century with catalog upper price estimates ranging from £1,500 to £3,500; lots 38 through 41. All four medieval swords were withdrawn from sale the morning of the auction; no explanation has been proffered.
July 14, 1998 - Sotheby's Summers Place (Sussex, England), auction BH8062. Lot 30 is catalogued as a composite medieval sword, partly 15th Century. The catalogue notes suspicions that the cross-guard is a modern replacement. The estimate is £600 - 800.
March 21 and 22, 1998 - The 44th "Original Baltimore" Antique Arms Show. Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, Maryland (North of Baltimore) on York Road (Maryland State Route 45), USA; open to public 9 a.m. to 5 p.m (on Saturday) and 3 p.m. (on Sunday). Contact: Maryland Arms Collectors Association, Inc.; P.O. Box 228; Riderwood, MD 21139. One or two medieval swords are likely to turn up at this show, which is generally the best bet on the US east coast, though the good ones are usually out of view under the dealer's tables, so it is most likely that you will see none unless you know who to ask. A few outright fakes and artificially aged once legitimate reproductions will also be out, so novices beware. No convincing medieval swords were seen or rumored to have been on sale in 1998, although, if present, they well could have been gone long before I worked my way around to that part of this 800 table show. A few swords with late medieval to early Renaissance style hilts were seen mounted on blades which I strongly suspect were once Sudanese kaskaras; the crossguard on one still retained some equally convincing Sudanese characteristics.
February 22, 1998 - The Fifteenth Park Lane Arms Fair. The Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, London, England; open to public 10:30 am - 4:30 pm. Contact David Oliver; Pennystane; Church Lane; Thropton nr. Morpeth; Northumberland NE65 7JB; UNITED KINGDOM; telephone 01669 620618. A few medieval swords will almost always turn up for sale at this event, usually about half a dozen. There were eight fine medieval swords on display (the owner was making no serious effort to sell them, though I suppose offers would be entertained) at one table. No other medieval European swords were noted, although a diversity of other fine edged weapons and early guns was in abundance. A European bronze sword was seen early in the show and then gone; presumably sold.
December 12, 1997 - Christie's South Kensington (London, England), auction ARM-7838. This sale includes a late Migration Period to early Viking Age sword (Oakeshott Records X.1, formerly sold in November, 1983 at Sotheby's London) which sold well above the high estimate at £19,000 hammer price and a sword with an Alexandria arsenal Arabic inscription (formerly in the collection of Claude Blair and illustrated in the frontispiece of his European and American Arms) which sold for £34,000 hammer price, again well over the high estimate. Less pricey is a composite broadsword formerly in the collection of Ewart Oakeshott and illustrated in his Sword in the Age of Chivalry in plate 43 B (where it has a different grip) which sold for double its high estimate at £2,400 hammer price.
December 8, 1997 - Sotheby's Summers Place (Sussex, England), auction BH7096. One of the Castillon (France) group of swords is coming under the hammer (this particular example previously sold at Sotheby's New York in 1991), as is a hilted fragment (14.75 inches remains) of an iron inlaid IN NOMINE DOMINI variant blade which sold for a hammer price of £2,500.