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Originally Posted by Dmitry
Jim, I would say that at that time there was no blade trade between France and England to speak of; the sword you had probably was mounted with a captured French blade. I have seen examples of that nature, and own one. That practice went both ways. One can find French Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods officers' swords with English blades as well. Either variants are not very common, but if one applies oneself, they can be found.
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Very much agree Dmitry, no commercial trade of blades, but perhaps the 'social' venues and even the fraternal such as Masonic and orders which transcended political and often even religious boundaries could account for such blade anomalies. At the time I had the sword I described I virtually had no idea how unusual it was for a French blade to be in a British sword.
With Norman's sword this unusual and presumably French blade seems to represent well this kind of diffusion, in this case a classical style hilt of elegant fashion known in England but apparantly in Dutch context. If only this were a silver hilt we would have marks, but being brass it is hard to say.
These kinds of hybrids are always fascinating, and wish we would see more posted here. If I find photos of the one I had I will definitely post them....geez I wish I hadnt sold it!!!!
