Thank you so much, gentlemen, for coming in on this one!
Fernando, excelllent examples that you posted! Not much on the net about this (other than that sword forum thread attached), so nice to see other examples. Actually, I do agree with your colleague that the lion hilt swivel might prove to be the more esthetic piece! I like both of them very much!
So, are you going to add one to your collection?
Interesting the various slight subtleties, such as the differences in four-slot guards, iron vs brass (iron being more infantry model, perhaps?), copper/brass wire vs leather. Even the garde Tournante (thanks for that term, 'Nando!) has differences, with your examples being wider with the loops incorporated into it. Mine has scalloped edging to the rotating knuckle bow, absent on some pieces. Some have a plain quillon, some a raised shell pattern. Even the guard-locking mechanism varies between types, as does the blade type, apparently. I'm told some were straighter, had blued/etched blades, etc. Mine has the traditional 'marine type' wedge blade. No-nonsense, wouldn't want to get hit by it on deck!!
Hello, fellow Cap'n Jim! Yes, I see the day I'll have me a little pirate museum or some such! I'll keep you informed! I thought perhaps there were other types of swivel-type guards, just hadn't seen much covered in any of my references. If you stumble across any pics, please post if you get the chance!
I'm wondering if the French were the oroginal designers and others followed suite?