Pinch of Snuff Basket-hilt

[Jim McDougall]

Keith thank you for responding on this, and your research on English sword making reflects the outstanding command of this history which is profoundly seen in your newly published "The Crown and Crossed Swords: German Sword Smiths in Shotley Bridge".

While Shotley was a later evolution of the great Hounslow venture of the earlier 17th century with German makers, as you well note there was still notable activity there even in the 1660s. There was a great dispersal of many of the smiths there when Cromwell overtook Hounslow in 1642, when a number of them left to follow Charles I to Oxford. Still, a number remained and as you well point out, Cromwell, despite turning some of them turned the mills into powder making sites. still had sword making activity.

I think your suggestion on Hugeunot potential for this blade is well placed.
It seems this convention of adding ANNO then date practiced it seems notably in Hounslow, then London on the blades indicates this was quite plausibly as indicated. The makers name on the blade HVMFFREIS and the curiously spelled LONDIN, seem telling.
No other blades marked London have this and are spelled correctly.

While Hounslow may have had activity, it seems that while it was in the proximity of London (12miles away) it was not technically in jurisdiction of the Cutlers Co. (which is why they could get away with the brass hilts). It does seem there was always a pretty brisk 'import' of German blades from Hounslow through Shotley and in the clouded periods between where numbers of independent cutlers were supplying the Board of Ordnance.
Oddly John Hawgood petitioned the B/O for permission to import some Solingen blades to fulfill his contact in 1685.
Perhaps he was adhering to rule as he was a master of the Cutlers Co. 1687.

Just wanted to add some of what I have been absorbed in concerning this blade on this basket hilt by Thomas Humphries, whose name does not seem to occur in any reference thus far.

It does seem this is a genuine heirloom blade mounted virtually a century later in this remarkable Scottish Stirling style hilt. I had not thought of the Huguenot potential, and as always, you come up with these astute thoughts often not thought of .

[Radboud]

Thank you for your insights Keith, on the topic of your book, is it still possible to order a physical copy?

Thanks

[urbanspaceman]

Hello Radboud.
The book has not actually been published. It will be a companion to the TV doc. - whenever that is - so copies have been printed by my local printer for reference and promotion. I sent one over to Jim.
If you are in the UK, you can get the printing company to print one copy and mail it to you. A lot of folks have done this. Last price was £20 plus £5 for P&P.
It is 148 pages in B5 format (10 x 7 inches) heavy glossy stock with a spiral bind... much better than the final commercial version will be: I think that may be a luxury magazine format.
If you are not in the UK I can send you one but it is not cheap to post abroad; I think I paid £10 to send Jim's to Texas.
Let me know how I can help.
Keith.

[urbanspaceman]

I can send you a 15mb pdf screen res copy by email or a full size 145mb pdf by WE which you can then have printed in NZ.
The WE transfer system is very good. Either option is free to you of course.

[Radboud]

Originally Posted by urbanspaceman

I can send you a 15mb pdf screen res copy by email or a full size 145mb pdf by WE which you can then have printed in NZ.
The WE transfer system is very good. Either option is free to you of course.

Hi Keith,
I have an address in the UK that it can be posted to, I'll send you a PM.

Cheers
Bastiaan

[urbanspaceman]

I think I sent you a PM but it is not clear if it actioned. Let me know.

[SwordLover79]

Yes - I acquired this rapier and dagger in San Diego in 2012 via trade. there was no provenance unfortunately.