This seems like an Oakeshott Xa, brazil nut pommel mid 10th into late 11th century. The brazil nut more common in Central and Eastern Europe.
While Gyngell and clearly others (as noted here by Cesare) have associated this 'cross potent' (kruckenkruez, crutch cross) with suggestion of a Swiss maker c.1200, this cross was in my opinion, not a makers mark, nor restricted to Switzerland nor that time period.
These crosses were applied to sword blades, often with inscriptions, and typically invocations intended to offer talismanic protection. The practice of placing crosses on sword blades and scabbards dates much farther back.
The 'S' is another thing entirely, and may indeed be a production related mark, while quite possibly another religiously associated symbolic. The use of silver seems quite unusual, as usually these marks were inlain with iron or latten, and as noted the condition of the silver does not seem commensurate with the well aged sword overall. Perhaps the existing marks were inlaid with silver later?
|