Ibrahiim thank you for the kind note!! and I agree in thanking you for the interesting material. That article you linked has been most helpful for some time now in the long standing quest in studying these blade markings and inscriptions. It is most encouraging to see others join in with looking into the history and fascinating esoterica often held in the secrets these elements hold.
Here I especially would like to note the references to the legendary sword Excalibur of the Arthurian romances, and its association with the 'Lady of the Lake'. Indeed this is reflective of certain conventions of the powerful mystique of swords in these times, and throughout history. The key element noted in this respect is that Excalibur did carry blade inscriptions, which seem to vary in versions of these tales. It is interesting to compare the fact that it was then deposited in the lake for future events of importance.
We do not know what actual inscriptions were emplaced, and these varied with authors. One notion suggested that the term 'cut steel' was used, much in the manner of the 'Eisenhauer' term used on German blades of the 19thc.
We turn to the much heralded 'River Witham' swords, two swords which were found in this English river in the mid 19th c. and both bear mysterious inscriptions labeled as 'magical' which still defy decryption .
These swords , while both with such inscriptions, are from periods centuries apart, suggesting that they were either deposited or lost in these close locations at different times. The question of course is compelling....could these swords, carrying deeply cryptic magical imbuement, have been deposited in this romantic knightly manner of Arthurian legend?
While our blade in discussion is obviously not a knightly sword, but an arming blade of probably 17th century, we must remember that these traditions, imbuements and commemorations were very much part and parcel of characteristic blade decoration and motif even then.
I would point out here that the very act of 'decoding' is first determining exactly what 'code' is being examined. The symbols, glyphs and devices of religious orientation, magical and various occult and talismanic forms, and linguistic characters including gemetria are often entwined as previously noted.
It must be remembered that these times, into much later, illiteracy was primarily the norm, of course with lack of formal education or any sort of informative media to the population at large. With this, superstition and religiously oriented fear prevailed. This accounts well for the importance of symbols and devices in many aspects, which also pertains to these kinds of blade decoration.
Alchemy in these times was not 'science' or 'chemistry', it was very much occultism and magic, so of course the symbols were shared.
Another factor which is firmly emplaced in the mysteries of blade inscriptions and markings which does not fall into the Christian invocations and knightly category are those involving cabalistic mysticism and symbols.
However, we have seen that in many cases, such sigils and glyphs may transcend into other contexts as many were shared or remarkably similar.
Yet another denominator in sword blade markings, are those using the elements of these categories in degree, and or, the acrostic methods described earlier, by various secret groups, orders or organizations.
I have seen other sword blades, and items such as helmets etc. with letter/ character groups in similar number (around 5) and again, these have been attempted to decipher with Latin words and phrases etc. to no avail.
It may be impossible to determine the explanation for this curious inscription, but as we continue to try, we learn, and that is what we're about
