Basket hilted swords

E.B. Erickson · 26th March 2015, 10:56 AM

Scottish, ca 1680
33" de blade with central fuller engraved "ELVIEGO SAHAGUN". There's an indistinct circular stamp at the end of the fuller.
Basket construction is normal, but the smith elected to cut small rectangular slots in the pommel to receive the ends of the hilt. This is a feature usually seen on earlier ribbonhilts.
Grip has some wormholes and is covered in old hard leather.

E.B. Erickson · 26th March 2015, 10:59 AM

English hilt based on a heart shaped guard pierced with scrollwork.
Blade 35" se, with the typical narrow and wide fullering.
Grip is shagreen bound with copper wire

E.B. Erickson · 26th March 2015, 11:02 AM

Typical English munition grade military basket, probably ca. 1650 or earlier. The hilt has a few traces of engraved decoration.
34" de blade, signed in the fullers "ANDRIA FERARA".
Grip is a modern replacement, but is well done.

E.B. Erickson · 26th March 2015, 11:11 AM

English, ca 1700. Hit of thin bars with fleur de lis (?), hearts, and "hooks" (I don't know what else to call them).
34" de blade, inscribed in the fuller "IESU MARIA".
Grip is sharkskin, bound with a broken copper wire, finished at each end with gilt ferrules.
Mazansky p. 175 has a hilt that's essentially a twin to this one.

E.B. Erickson · 26th March 2015, 11:16 AM

English, ca. 1750 (?)
34" se blade with narrow back fuller. The blade bears a few traces of etching.
The grip is of rayskin bound with copper wire, and is a restoration that I did myself.
Mazansky p.144-145 shows similar hilts.

E.B. Erickson · 26th March 2015, 11:21 AM

English, last half of the 1700s.
34" se blade with wide and narrow fullers, has been shortened as the fuller runs through the tip.
The basket is semi symmetrical, with 3 scroll ended bars to each side, but those on the right are larger and have connecting bars. The hilt is of very robust construction, and is finished and done so well that I think that this is an officer's sword.

E.B. Erickson · 26th March 2015, 11:27 AM

English, last half of the 1700s.
36" earlier de blade of flattened hexagon section, stamped at the forte with 3 groups of pellet marks.
Grip is shagreen bound with copper wire.
Mazansky p. 207 depicts similar hilts.
Years ago I found an old "Museum of Historical Arms" catalog from 1964, and this sword was illustrated and up for sale. Price back then? $65.

26th March 2015, 10:56 AM	#1
E.B. Erickson Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 61	Scottish, ca 1680 33" de blade with central fuller engraved "ELVIEGO SAHAGUN". There's an indistinct circular stamp at the end of the fuller. Basket construction is normal, but the smith elected to cut small rectangular slots in the pommel to receive the ends of the hilt. This is a feature usually seen on earlier ribbonhilts. Grip has some wormholes and is covered in old hard leather. Attached Images

26th March 2015, 10:59 AM	#2
E.B. Erickson Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 61	English hilt based on a heart shaped guard pierced with scrollwork. Blade 35" se, with the typical narrow and wide fullering. Grip is shagreen bound with copper wire Attached Images

26th March 2015, 11:02 AM	#3
E.B. Erickson Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 61	Typical English munition grade military basket, probably ca. 1650 or earlier. The hilt has a few traces of engraved decoration. 34" de blade, signed in the fullers "ANDRIA FERARA". Grip is a modern replacement, but is well done. Attached Images

26th March 2015, 11:11 AM	#4
E.B. Erickson Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 61	English, ca 1700. Hit of thin bars with fleur de lis (?), hearts, and "hooks" (I don't know what else to call them). 34" de blade, inscribed in the fuller "IESU MARIA". Grip is sharkskin, bound with a broken copper wire, finished at each end with gilt ferrules. Mazansky p. 175 has a hilt that's essentially a twin to this one. Attached Images

26th March 2015, 11:16 AM	#5
E.B. Erickson Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 61	English, ca. 1750 (?) 34" se blade with narrow back fuller. The blade bears a few traces of etching. The grip is of rayskin bound with copper wire, and is a restoration that I did myself. Mazansky p.144-145 shows similar hilts. Attached Images

26th March 2015, 11:21 AM	#6
E.B. Erickson Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 61	English, last half of the 1700s. 34" se blade with wide and narrow fullers, has been shortened as the fuller runs through the tip. The basket is semi symmetrical, with 3 scroll ended bars to each side, but those on the right are larger and have connecting bars. The hilt is of very robust construction, and is finished and done so well that I think that this is an officer's sword. Attached Images

26th March 2015, 11:27 AM	#7
E.B. Erickson Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 61	English, last half of the 1700s. 36" earlier de blade of flattened hexagon section, stamped at the forte with 3 groups of pellet marks. Grip is shagreen bound with copper wire. Mazansky p. 207 depicts similar hilts. Years ago I found an old "Museum of Historical Arms" catalog from 1964, and this sword was illustrated and up for sale. Price back then? $65. Attached Images