Looking for a source of sword (pommel) xrays

Jim McDougall · 15th September 2024, 03:28 PM

My pleasure Andreas, and I wish I could add more but this area is far out of my fields of study. Its a great approach to learning more on the fabrication of swords of these times, and I know there have been numerous looks into this but as part of the larger scope of tomography on swords.

It seems this is a relatively new concept, as I recall years back when Dr. Cyril Mazansky was writing his book on British basket hilts, he was already known for using non destructive tomography on a basket hilt found in an early shipwreck, I believe it was the 'Sea Venture". The wreck itself was the foundation of the Shakespeare drama "The Tempest".

I know that in the 17th century onward (and likely earlier) swords themselves were essentially assembled from components which were fashioned by other artisans, and by cutlers, sword slippers and the like. The blades were of course from blade makers and might be from these locally or imported depending on circumstances.
The pommels were typically made by individual makers so in times before standardization there must have been some alteration required.

It seems of course over the years many swords have come up with atypical pommels. AVB Norman in 1980 ("The Rapier and Smallsword 1400-1820) wrote and illustrated a categoric study of pommel forms, illustrating their common period of use as a guideline.

So it seems your line of thinking is well placed, and I look forward to your observations as your research continues.

All the best
Jim

15th September 2024, 03:28 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,945	My pleasure Andreas, and I wish I could add more but this area is far out of my fields of study. Its a great approach to learning more on the fabrication of swords of these times, and I know there have been numerous looks into this but as part of the larger scope of tomography on swords. It seems this is a relatively new concept, as I recall years back when Dr. Cyril Mazansky was writing his book on British basket hilts, he was already known for using non destructive tomography on a basket hilt found in an early shipwreck, I believe it was the 'Sea Venture". The wreck itself was the foundation of the Shakespeare drama "The Tempest". I know that in the 17th century onward (and likely earlier) swords themselves were essentially assembled from components which were fashioned by other artisans, and by cutlers, sword slippers and the like. The blades were of course from blade makers and might be from these locally or imported depending on circumstances. The pommels were typically made by individual makers so in times before standardization there must have been some alteration required. It seems of course over the years many swords have come up with atypical pommels. AVB Norman in 1980 ("The Rapier and Smallsword 1400-1820) wrote and illustrated a categoric study of pommel forms, illustrating their common period of use as a guideline. So it seems your line of thinking is well placed, and I look forward to your observations as your research continues. All the best Jim