My new Georgian spadroon

kronckew · 30th March 2018, 07:09 PM

I don't think anyone has implied that sword knots were knot (

) universal, or confined to naval use. You landlubbers are just as likely to drop something as us naval types, more so if you are on a horse.

A ring can, thru wear or trauma, break off any time after it was out of serve and the sword knot crumbled to dust, thus leaving us with a hole that may have once been occupied. I do think most if not all swords in service would have had an appropriate sword knot during their active service life, whatever their service branch, as they do now. Even the helmet pommeled cross guard one.

Hotspur has a very cool collection by the way. Very nice swords all.

Hotspur · 30th March 2018, 08:45 PM

Sword knots were mentioned as required gear, even on foot, in some manuals throughout the 19th century.

I mention knots not necessarily naval, as it becomes a descriptive. I had carried it for a long time myself, from a single book phrase.

Cheers

GC

M ELEY · 31st March 2018, 04:56 AM

Thanks, Glenn, for coming in on this one. Love the excellent specimens you posted as well. Any input on when the actual hole/ring became popular. I used to have an old source book (God knows where I put it) that claimed this was something that became popular in the last decade of the 18th. Your thoughts?
Mark

Hotspur · 31st March 2018, 07:21 PM

The implementation of the rings does seem to be the last decade(s) of the 18th century into the 19th but in general, to me it seems just an extra. That we saw the castings with ample space to drill for a ring and a majority not added makes it an option, something a patron asked for or elected from stock. With slots and holes continuing on a lot of hilts, those methods seem more lasting and secure. A ring not allowing for much width of what we see for ribbon like knots. A ring affording for little more than a braided cord, what have you.

Cheers

GC

kronckew · 31st March 2018, 08:16 PM

I agree, one reason i have not yet found a knot that sets well on it, the one photo i found with a wide strap on one looked awful. A round cord like on the std. naval nots would be better, but the std. ones are still a bit too fat. Flat ones thru the slot on a 1796 LC look fine tho...

I've seen a braided leather round cord (about 3mm dia. cord) knot in brown with a ball knot termination that looked like it's be fine for a hanger, it was being sold as an original cutlass lanyard for more than some of my swords cost.

30th March 2018, 07:09 PM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	I don't think anyone has implied that sword knots were knot () universal, or confined to naval use. You landlubbers are just as likely to drop something as us naval types, more so if you are on a horse. A ring can, thru wear or trauma, break off any time after it was out of serve and the sword knot crumbled to dust, thus leaving us with a hole that may have once been occupied. I do think most if not all swords in service would have had an appropriate sword knot during their active service life, whatever their service branch, as they do now. Even the helmet pommeled cross guard one. Hotspur has a very cool collection by the way. Very nice swords all.

30th March 2018, 08:45 PM	#2
Hotspur Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nipmuc USA Posts: 508	Sword knots were mentioned as required gear, even on foot, in some manuals throughout the 19th century. I mention knots not necessarily naval, as it becomes a descriptive. I had carried it for a long time myself, from a single book phrase. Cheers GC

31st March 2018, 04:56 AM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Thanks, Glenn, for coming in on this one. Love the excellent specimens you posted as well. Any input on when the actual hole/ring became popular. I used to have an old source book (God knows where I put it) that claimed this was something that became popular in the last decade of the 18th. Your thoughts? Mark

31st March 2018, 07:21 PM	#4
Hotspur Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nipmuc USA Posts: 508	The implementation of the rings does seem to be the last decade(s) of the 18th century into the 19th but in general, to me it seems just an extra. That we saw the castings with ample space to drill for a ring and a majority not added makes it an option, something a patron asked for or elected from stock. With slots and holes continuing on a lot of hilts, those methods seem more lasting and secure. A ring not allowing for much width of what we see for ribbon like knots. A ring affording for little more than a braided cord, what have you. Cheers GC

31st March 2018, 08:16 PM	#5
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	I agree, one reason i have not yet found a knot that sets well on it, the one photo i found with a wide strap on one looked awful. A round cord like on the std. naval nots would be better, but the std. ones are still a bit too fat. Flat ones thru the slot on a 1796 LC look fine tho... I've seen a braided leather round cord (about 3mm dia. cord) knot in brown with a ball knot termination that looked like it's be fine for a hanger, it was being sold as an original cutlass lanyard for more than some of my swords cost.