Triton
Gold Member
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2000
- Messages
- 35,941
This set of pictures details a group of three adjacent swords I will label them A, B, and C from left to right.
Sword A has several unusual characteristics. It is of type N?.1.XIIIa. The pommel is the first of the unusual
characteristics. According to Oakeshott it is quite rare to find a pommel of type N. However there it is although
I have to admit that the cross section of this pommel is not exactly the same as type N that he records in The Sword
in the Age of Chivalry so perhaps it is not a type N at all but a subtype of N or possibly some unique unclassified type?
The other odd thing about this sword is the extreme spatulate point shown in pic 96. XIIIas are supposed to have somewhat
spatulate points but this one is so spatulate that it almost looks like a headsman's sword. One can't help but wonder if
perhaps at some time the original point was broken off and this new one was ground on. Provenance on this sword is German
or English 1270-1320. It has a shallow fuller running 3/4 of the length of the blade. Condition is actually quite good with minor
pitting and discoloration. The grip presumed to be the original is intact although any covering it had is not.
Sword B is important enough to get a mention in Oakeshott's The Sword in the Age of Chivalry. It is a prime example of a late
type XIIIa. Typology is actually Modified J.12.XIIIa. Estimated time period is 1280-1325. The sword has three shallow fullers
and no perceptible widening towards the hilt. Condition is once again very good although the grip has perished. The sword
has Arabic script engraved near the cross, presumably this is one of the group of swords that came from the armory of Alexandria.
The sword also has a makers mark for which I will include a sketch.
Oakeshott calls it a rather ugly sword but I thought personally that it was fairly attractive. T
Sword C Provenance German 1350. This sword appears to by of type I.1.XIIa. The only really unusual thing about this sword
is the extreme length of the hilt. Condition is fair although the grip is missing. There is a small cross incised in the pommel.
detail of spatulate point of sword A
detail of hilts
detail of C hilt
detail of inscription on B
Inlays and cross section from A
Inlays and from B
Sword A has several unusual characteristics. It is of type N?.1.XIIIa. The pommel is the first of the unusual
characteristics. According to Oakeshott it is quite rare to find a pommel of type N. However there it is although
I have to admit that the cross section of this pommel is not exactly the same as type N that he records in The Sword
in the Age of Chivalry so perhaps it is not a type N at all but a subtype of N or possibly some unique unclassified type?
The other odd thing about this sword is the extreme spatulate point shown in pic 96. XIIIas are supposed to have somewhat
spatulate points but this one is so spatulate that it almost looks like a headsman's sword. One can't help but wonder if
perhaps at some time the original point was broken off and this new one was ground on. Provenance on this sword is German
or English 1270-1320. It has a shallow fuller running 3/4 of the length of the blade. Condition is actually quite good with minor
pitting and discoloration. The grip presumed to be the original is intact although any covering it had is not.
Sword B is important enough to get a mention in Oakeshott's The Sword in the Age of Chivalry. It is a prime example of a late
type XIIIa. Typology is actually Modified J.12.XIIIa. Estimated time period is 1280-1325. The sword has three shallow fullers
and no perceptible widening towards the hilt. Condition is once again very good although the grip has perished. The sword
has Arabic script engraved near the cross, presumably this is one of the group of swords that came from the armory of Alexandria.
The sword also has a makers mark for which I will include a sketch.
Oakeshott calls it a rather ugly sword but I thought personally that it was fairly attractive. T
Sword C Provenance German 1350. This sword appears to by of type I.1.XIIa. The only really unusual thing about this sword
is the extreme length of the hilt. Condition is fair although the grip is missing. There is a small cross incised in the pommel.
detail of spatulate point of sword A
detail of hilts
detail of C hilt
detail of inscription on B
Inlays and cross section from A
Inlays and from B