Comments on the W & G. Chance of London flintlock pistol.

Dmitry · 8th November 2009, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M ELEY

Despite the sometimes brittle state of pewter, it was a valued alloy of the period. Early colonial American swords frequently used it in their hilts and grip strapwork.

Hi,
I have never encountered an American colonial sword with pewter-mounted hilt. Would it be possible to indicate where I could see such swords?

M ELEY · 12th November 2009, 11:32 AM

Yikes! I mis-spoke when I used the word "frequently". I have seen at least 1 colonial-made sword with pewter strapwork to it's hilt, but do not remember the site, nor have I been able to find it again-

. (I will continue to search for the site, though...) I own a Rev War hanger with lead decorated hilt, likewise, lead was used in at least one example in Neumann's guide. As stated, pewter was used to make tomahawk blades of the period and shortly there-after (see Hartsler's and Knowle's book for numerous examples). Another part of a lead sword guard was found at a dig-site I saw online; again, I can't find the site again.

M ELEY · 12th November 2009, 11:36 AM

[url]http://www.michaelsimens.com/items.asp?productCategory=Sold%Edged%20Weapons&pro ductCategory2=Sold%20Edged%20Weapons&productCatego ry3=Sold%20Edged%20Weapons

M ELEY · 12th November 2009, 11:42 AM

Oh well, didn't work.

This site had a nice CW bowie in pewter mounts that had sold...

Dmitry · 12th November 2009, 04:50 PM

Lead was used to repair broken hilts, but to have lead used in the furniture of the new hilts..I've never seen one.

M ELEY · 13th November 2009, 03:15 AM

If possible, I'll try to find the site I spoke of. It was an archaeological dig-site with a well-preserved pommel and knuckle bow made of lead. Colonists being hard up for materials did use it mostly for repairs, but occasionally for function. I hate posting pics (!), not so good at it, but I'll try to show my rather primitive hanger with wood hilt, carved spiral grooves around it with lead strapwork/inlay decoration.

M ELEY · 13th November 2009, 04:48 AM

Not the one I saw, but here's a site with a partialy preserved hilt (it's a quarter of the way down page)

www.horsesoldier.com/catalog/c0024.html

13th November 2009, 03:15 AM	#6
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,171	If possible, I'll try to find the site I spoke of. It was an archaeological dig-site with a well-preserved pommel and knuckle bow made of lead. Colonists being hard up for materials did use it mostly for repairs, but occasionally for function. I hate posting pics (!), not so good at it, but I'll try to show my rather primitive hanger with wood hilt, carved spiral grooves around it with lead strapwork/inlay decoration. Last edited by M ELEY; 13th November 2009 at 04:46 AM.

12th November 2009, 11:32 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,171	Yikes! I mis-spoke when I used the word "frequently". I have seen at least 1 colonial-made sword with pewter strapwork to it's hilt, but do not remember the site, nor have I been able to find it again- . (I will continue to search for the site, though...) I own a Rev War hanger with lead decorated hilt, likewise, lead was used in at least one example in Neumann's guide. As stated, pewter was used to make tomahawk blades of the period and shortly there-after (see Hartsler's and Knowle's book for numerous examples). Another part of a lead sword guard was found at a dig-site I saw online; again, I can't find the site again.

12th November 2009, 11:36 AM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,171	[url]http://www.michaelsimens.com/items.asp?productCategory=Sold%Edged%20Weapons&pro ductCategory2=Sold%20Edged%20Weapons&productCatego ry3=Sold%20Edged%20Weapons

12th November 2009, 11:42 AM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,171	Oh well, didn't work. This site had a nice CW bowie in pewter mounts that had sold...

12th November 2009, 04:50 PM	#5
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	Lead was used to repair broken hilts, but to have lead used in the furniture of the new hilts..I've never seen one.

13th November 2009, 04:48 AM	#7
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,171	Not the one I saw, but here's a site with a partialy preserved hilt (it's a quarter of the way down page) www.horsesoldier.com/catalog/c0024.html