Help to identify a sword

[Lee]

My understanding is that the "leaf-shaped" blade form reflects the properties of the bronze they were made from and that this form is not so relevant to steel blades. It is only rarely that any early European swords survive in better than excavated relic condition leading to much suspicion whenever there is no demonstrable provenance - but happy exceptions do exist.

[Tim Simmons]

As others have said the blade looks really very nice steel with good age as in truley antique. The leather also as mentioned is well aged. I cannot believe in the theatre movie prop. The thing is put together with real skill, look at the cut line in the guard ? nice , why do that for a prop. The pommel to me is what looks kind of out of place and obviously not right to our current knowledge leading to thoughts of medieval revival. However until proven I think it may be best to keep an open mind. You know truth can be stranger than fiction, something like that. Certainly looks like it could take your arm off with ease.

[ausjulius]

I would say this is a 19th century english made fantasy swords used of gaudy panoply displays where people wanted a curtain look and didn't nessicarily can't beat up old antiques. Spain and England were the main makers of these.
France also made some as did Solingen .
The English ones have a more a European mediaeval/iron age celtic and germanic style to them.
The Spanish more a Spanish 1500s-1600s style mostly ..
Germany mostly a 1500 continental.. lanskenechts and zweihanders and such.
And the french a mix with quite a few fantasy Persian, Turkish of arab and even Roman and greek weapons made.
It was whatever was in demand for displays.
I've seen quite a few old English fantasy swords with high quality blades.
A few weeks ago I saw an 1880s fantasy Norman sword with a nicely tempered sharp blade that was (not at all in line with norman swords) 13mm in the ricasso tapering to 3mm at the tip from good shear steel. I've seen others that are low grade steel or even case hardened "steeled". Some even have cast iron fittings.
Some of the German fantasy zweihanders are bearing swords for religious parades too and have no edge. Others were made to adorn castle walks as castle tourism took off.
Many... Ofe the zweihanders in circulation are these fantasy weapons.

[CutlassCollector]

Interesting sword and discussion.
What stands out for me is the grip. It does not look as though you could get a good hold on such a long and heavy sword with that slim tapered grip.

Unless of course parts of the grip are missing and the tang has been covered over.

[francantolin]

Ausjulius, have you 1-2 pictures of the 1880 Norman sword or similar exemple
for comparison and just for pleasure to see it,

Usually , 19th reproductions would look lîke original old models,
for make money or for revival this one is really different and as Tim Simmons
mentioned, the did a really good job just for a fantasy deco sword.


In the book "the history of chivalry and armor",
I found some interesting different types of medieval sword away from usual models
( like falchions...) ,
blades, are not so far away.
The sword was from John George I, Elector of Saxony

+ norman warriors drawings who match for hilt and pommel of the sword.
I think it was the principal influence for the bladesmith/ the owner- buyer
19th century or earlier ...
Almonzo,
The best thing is to show it in an history museum to an expert or curator ( ++ sure if they have medieval pieces and weapons )
In wich country do you live ?

[Tim Simmons]

A very good post. Makes me think that perhaps it may possibly be 16th century tounament display type of thing. A processional or state functional bearers sword of the 16th century and latter. There is a photo of one here which I will find latter. German 16th century a hand and half hilt sword with a sawfish bill as the blade. Something like this. Although the item in question appears smaller that might depend on the size or importance of the office.

[Tim Simmons]

I am going to change my mind and go for a real weapon. 16th century possibly 17th. Looking and at the item, just looks too well made, great steel, really nice patina and as said before good for taking off body parts. Take it too a proper museum.

ps

Is that a mark , funny looking scratch? on the pommel. Cannot see it being used against armour. Still going with real 17th century.