Sword ID needed please

[Jim McDougall]

The thing about the bushy tail fox, and the Passau running wolf is that these were not the marks of blade makers but simply stylized device/symbols in occult, talismanic and magic conventions which were simply copied and improvised over many years.

These seem to have been well known across Europe with the distribution of blades from Solingen with the crudely chopped running wolf, often applied with this magical number '1414' (and some variations).

With the 'bushy tail fox', while of course not distinctly associated with the Passau wolf, the plausibility of imitation or similarly intended application cannot be discounted.

The image of the BTF (as we call it) seems distinctly a fox in the STEYR (Austria) image (1620), with the striped bushy tail...which in my view is nothing like a wolf tail. The artistic style is very much in the character of the incised figures of stags and sometimes other animals in hunting sword themes (as noted by AHorsa).

We have found that the BTF is a distinctly known image on some of the swords of Shotley Bridge (1680s-1700, and later) which seems in line with these markings attributed to Samuel Harvey c. 1750-80 in Birmingham.


In the last image Keith posted, that curious X with dots device appears associated with occult/ alchemical symbols with that particular one aligned with 'caput mortem' (deaths head) which metaphorically relates to an alchemical process. Dots and lines in various characters also align with 'antler numbers' which were arcane symbols used in Austrian regions.
This seems to fall in place with the Austrian 'fox' or wolf accompanying it.

I think it is important to remember that these kinds of markings, symbols, devices and conventions were not distinctly aligned with a particular maker, and apparently not confined necessarily to certain centers or regions, nor periods. Clearly these became traditionally carried forth by later makers.

[AHorsa]

Now I got it. That's very interesting. Thank you for explaining gentlemen!

[midelburgo]

I think that grip is not thought to be wielded. It could be a funeral item to be displayed in a church, a tomb. The (Solingen) blade could come from a walloon sword, at the end of XVIIth century.

[cornelistromp]

An early 18th-century hunting sword that was also used in civilian settings. It's homogeneous (everything belongs together).

[SidJ]

Gold inlay detail that emerged after cleaning. Gold also in eyes and fur of the wolf and stag.

[David R]

To me, that hilt looks like a reliquary made to protect the original hilt or elements thereof..... or other items of significance.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by David R

To me, that hilt looks like a reliquary made to protect the original hilt or elements thereof..... or other items of significance.

That seems a perfectly reasonable suggestion David. This is a most unusual hilt for hunting swords in my opinion, certainly uncharacteristic of the styles typically seen, and it does seem to have a baroque, perhaps somewhat ecclesiastical sense. It would be interesting to discover more on other similar examples or items of material culture might compare.