Any idea of what I just purchased

Victrix · 23rd March 2018, 10:42 AM

The thin lines going round the grip look manmade to me so I would guess it’s made from bone. See how those thin lines have been extended to the short side where the pommel would have been attached. May have been made to imitate narwal to keep costs down? Otherwise it could be narwal with decorative lines added by a craftsman.

The American sword is beautiful and if you could fashion a pommel and guard it would look very nice! I guess the chances of finding loose replacements in the market must be slim?

M ELEY · 24th March 2018, 02:07 AM

I still stick with an English hanger, bone handle with green dye.

Here's a past thread of my lion hilt hanger, just to show the similarities in the blade and fuller.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=14342

Victrix · 24th March 2018, 10:05 AM

I just thought the handle showed remarkable similarities with the American Revolutionary sword pictured above. As is often the case with old swords, it can be tricky to assign a nationality to them! Might indeed be an England finished sword with a German blade??

Thank you for the link to the excellent thread. Must be many threads like that lurking in the forum. I wish they were filed by topic but here the search function is very useful.

Does anyone know what that little chain on the American Revolutionary sword attaching the guard to the pommel is for? I can’t imagine its purpose is to protect the knuckle as it’s far too delicate. Could it be to prevent the wearer from dropping the sword (which would be especially annoying at sea where it might disappear under the waves forever!) like some portepee? Some Hungarian hussar sabres from the second half of the 17thC also have this feature.

kronckew · 24th March 2018, 11:07 AM

Arabian swords, english mourning swords, and as you see, hunting swords, hangers, and others without knuckle guards can also. I favour the retention option. many still have sword knots...

Victrix · 24th March 2018, 12:48 PM

Hungarian-Polish sabre from Polish Arms by A. Nadolski showing chain.

24th March 2018, 02:07 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,162	I still stick with an English hanger, bone handle with green dye. Here's a past thread of my lion hilt hanger, just to show the similarities in the blade and fuller. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=14342 Last edited by M ELEY; 24th March 2018 at 02:25 AM.

24th March 2018, 11:07 AM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,224	Arabian swords, english mourning swords, and as you see, hunting swords, hangers, and others without knuckle guards can also. I favour the retention option. many still have sword knots... Attached Images

24th March 2018, 12:48 PM	#5
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 755	Hungarian-Polish sabre from Polish Arms by A. Nadolski showing chain. Attached Images

23rd March 2018, 10:42 AM	#1
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 755	The thin lines going round the grip look manmade to me so I would guess it’s made from bone. See how those thin lines have been extended to the short side where the pommel would have been attached. May have been made to imitate narwal to keep costs down? Otherwise it could be narwal with decorative lines added by a craftsman. The American sword is beautiful and if you could fashion a pommel and guard it would look very nice! I guess the chances of finding loose replacements in the market must be slim?

24th March 2018, 10:05 AM	#3
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 755	I just thought the handle showed remarkable similarities with the American Revolutionary sword pictured above. As is often the case with old swords, it can be tricky to assign a nationality to them! Might indeed be an England finished sword with a German blade?? Thank you for the link to the excellent thread. Must be many threads like that lurking in the forum. I wish they were filed by topic but here the search function is very useful. Does anyone know what that little chain on the American Revolutionary sword attaching the guard to the pommel is for? I can’t imagine its purpose is to protect the knuckle as it’s far too delicate. Could it be to prevent the wearer from dropping the sword (which would be especially annoying at sea where it might disappear under the waves forever!) like some portepee? Some Hungarian hussar sabres from the second half of the 17thC also have this feature.