Unknown Armourer's Mark

stephen wood · 7th May 2010, 03:35 AM

...actually, comparing the condition of blade and crossguard, I would say that they had been together a long time. Also, there is little if any trace of filing on the guard - this has become one of my dating touchstones. In fact, the guard itself exhibits its own anomalies - not diamond sectioned and with a curious bulbous quality above the langet.

Jim McDougall · 7th May 2010, 03:52 AM

Good observations, and there is a definite advantage to hands on examination of a weapon. With the number of curious exceptions to the many variations in often subtle degree on these hilts, it seems that there must have been understandable differences with the innovation and/or skill of the armourers. It would be great if it were possible to ascribe certain hilt characteristics to regions, but aside from broad applications it seems pretty unlikely. I think the closest has been Reed, who has reasonably identified the Darfur types.

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7th May 2010, 03:35 AM	#1
stephen wood Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 227	...actually, comparing the condition of blade and crossguard, I would say that they had been together a long time. Also, there is little if any trace of filing on the guard - this has become one of my dating touchstones. In fact, the guard itself exhibits its own anomalies - not diamond sectioned and with a curious bulbous quality above the langet.

7th May 2010, 03:52 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Good observations, and there is a definite advantage to hands on examination of a weapon. With the number of curious exceptions to the many variations in often subtle degree on these hilts, it seems that there must have been understandable differences with the innovation and/or skill of the armourers. It would be great if it were possible to ascribe certain hilt characteristics to regions, but aside from broad applications it seems pretty unlikely. I think the closest has been Reed, who has reasonably identified the Darfur types.