Unique and Impressive Two Handed Sword

ulfberth · 18th December 2021, 07:12 PM

The technique" etching" was used in swords , halberds and armour in the 16th and 17th c , here are some examples .
Its of course good we have books , but not everything they made can be found in books.
On the other hand, just imagine a knight in the 14th or 15th C would order a sword oakeshott type xx at a blacksmith, the smith would not know what to make, and still its in the books now.
Kind regards
Ulfberth

ulfberth · 18th December 2021, 07:38 PM

here are two other examples of the period, interesting is the on the first you can see two different results , both of etching on one sword.

cornelistromp · 19th December 2021, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ulfberth

here are two other examples of the period, interesting is the on the first you can see two different results , both of etching on one sword.

Hi Ulfberth, re the Sword of the bodyguard of Duke Julius of Brunswick.
These are different techniques, the quillon is chiseled and the blade is etched.

For the rest i agree with you, like the examples in Wegeli, two hand swords were etched in this matter.
The sword under discussion also looks authentic, in terms of make and patina, the grips also looks good.
Nevertheless,the only thing that makes me doubt is the unusual pommel style and unusual crossguard style.
but...... like Ewart Oakeshott claimed: that you have never seen it means absolutely nothing at all, unless have seen them all those 100,000+ of swords made.

@CsinTX is it possible to see under the leather sleeve if and how the pareer lugs are attached to the blade ?

best,
Jasper

ulfberth · 19th December 2021, 01:50 PM

Hi Cornelistromp , about the Sword of the bodyguard of Duke Julius of Brunswick, that is correct the quillions are chiseled.
However in my opinion after the chiseling work the deeper surface was etched to reach a higher relief. I have had and handled a two handed sword with a crossguard like that in my collection. That one was surely etched after the chisseling. About the styl, most two handed swords in the Italian museums al have more decorative art like styles, this could be Italian work.
The sword of Casey is probably a ceremonial sword and yes it could be more fantasy was used on the blade's etching its not the same a a sword for the field.
These ceremonial or bearing swords were sometimes also used as execution swords in certain towns, it could be a town sword wich could explain the heraldry like etching. However I dont know that its purely speculation.
kind regards
Ulfberth

fernando · 19th December 2021, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ulfberth

... The sword of Casey is probably a ceremonial sword and yes it could be more fantasy was used on the blade's etching its not the same a a sword for the field....

Such a basic question indeed.

broadaxe · 19th December 2021, 04:43 PM

The sword is indeed a puzzle. I think the etched decoration has been added later on sometimes after the sword went out of service, maybe to perform as a bearing arm - note the huge size.
The guard is weird, but I'm not ruling it out totally. Overall construction appears to be better than usual historismus biedenhanders, and on top of all, the weight vs. length and width ratio is just amazing, I would expect a historismus to be at least twice as heavy.

CSinTX · 24th December 2021, 10:05 PM

Thanks for the thoughts from everyone. Ive added some more pics. Unfortunately I can not see where the parrying lugs attach to the blade without damaging the leather.

I feel very confident that the sword itself is good. The patina is right, forging lines, highest quality blade, weight, etc. The markings on the pommel match that on the guard.

But I know very little of how stampings, engravings, etc would have been done in a blade. The outer edge of the decoration, that has been mechanically applied, how would this have been done? Could it be done on metal that was not hot (added later)? Or would it need to be done at time of manufacture? There is a distinct grove cut around the outer edge. Ive marked this in green in the final picture.

I like to imagine that maybe this was a bodyguards weapon rather than a piece for the field. This might explain the combination of it being an obviously highly lethal weapon as well as unique and decorated.

18th December 2021, 07:12 PM	#1
ulfberth Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 412	The technique" etching" was used in swords , halberds and armour in the 16th and 17th c , here are some examples . Its of course good we have books , but not everything they made can be found in books. On the other hand, just imagine a knight in the 14th or 15th C would order a sword oakeshott type xx at a blacksmith, the smith would not know what to make, and still its in the books now. Kind regards Ulfberth Attached Images

18th December 2021, 07:38 PM	#2
ulfberth Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 412	here are two other examples of the period, interesting is the on the first you can see two different results , both of etching on one sword. Attached Images Last edited by ulfberth; 18th December 2021 at 08:21 PM.

24th December 2021, 10:05 PM	#7
CSinTX Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 233	Thanks for the thoughts from everyone. Ive added some more pics. Unfortunately I can not see where the parrying lugs attach to the blade without damaging the leather. I feel very confident that the sword itself is good. The patina is right, forging lines, highest quality blade, weight, etc. The markings on the pommel match that on the guard. But I know very little of how stampings, engravings, etc would have been done in a blade. The outer edge of the decoration, that has been mechanically applied, how would this have been done? Could it be done on metal that was not hot (added later)? Or would it need to be done at time of manufacture? There is a distinct grove cut around the outer edge. Ive marked this in green in the final picture. I like to imagine that maybe this was a bodyguards weapon rather than a piece for the field. This might explain the combination of it being an obviously highly lethal weapon as well as unique and decorated. Attached Images

19th December 2021, 01:50 PM	#4
ulfberth Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 412	Hi Cornelistromp , about the Sword of the bodyguard of Duke Julius of Brunswick, that is correct the quillions are chiseled. However in my opinion after the chiseling work the deeper surface was etched to reach a higher relief. I have had and handled a two handed sword with a crossguard like that in my collection. That one was surely etched after the chisseling. About the styl, most two handed swords in the Italian museums al have more decorative art like styles, this could be Italian work. The sword of Casey is probably a ceremonial sword and yes it could be more fantasy was used on the blade's etching its not the same a a sword for the field. These ceremonial or bearing swords were sometimes also used as execution swords in certain towns, it could be a town sword wich could explain the heraldry like etching. However I dont know that its purely speculation. kind regards Ulfberth

19th December 2021, 04:43 PM	#6
broadaxe Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 334	The sword is indeed a puzzle. I think the etched decoration has been added later on sometimes after the sword went out of service, maybe to perform as a bearing arm - note the huge size. The guard is weird, but I'm not ruling it out totally. Overall construction appears to be better than usual historismus biedenhanders, and on top of all, the weight vs. length and width ratio is just amazing, I would expect a historismus to be at least twice as heavy.