Help to identify a viking sword

sioume · 22nd December 2022, 03:34 PM

Hello everybody,
Back after a long time , I will appreciate some clear informations about a so called viking sword type. I know there are good specialists on this website !

The sword measures 91 cm , weights 1,4 kg, with a rather deep inscription on the blade , unreadable except the end "+....DC+ ?" and was bought a long time ago to a french antiquarian.
To my modest knowledges it seems to be a genuine piece considering the corrosion, patina, howeverwhat makes me interrogative is the pommel.
Some collectors said to me it is a L or Q Petersen type but the pommel of my sword is quite curved and seems to be more a "O" Type...
Also I red on the web that this type is common in Norway which is strange because I thought that curved pommels were from anglo-saxon origins.
Riveted the pommel and pommel-guard together ( like on my sword) isn't it also an anglo-saxon technique ?

Thanks for helping me to identify the origin and datation of this sword
All the best

Reventlov · 23rd December 2022, 01:19 PM

Hello,
The pommel seems very unusual (and very large), I do not think I have ever seen one quite like it. I think type Q pommels are always made of only one piece, and generally have crosses with a complementary shape. Type L is overall quite different, apart from the curvature of the pommel.

The five "knuckles" of the pommel cap remind me of type K more than type O, but both of these types are straight and not curved, with one possible exception that I only know from an illustration, shared below. Type O is also usually quite ornate, with various kinds of surface decorations, while K often plainer.

The two-piece, curved pommel plus simple, straight guard actually reminds me more of type Y, though of course the shape of the pommel cap is unique, and I do not think this type is ever riveted in the way shown here.

Almost all sword inscriptions are read hilt-to-tip, so the "DC+" is more likely the beginning and not the end of the inscription, and probably should be read as abstract signs and not specific letters.

Best,
Mark

Pukka Bundook · 3rd January 2023, 02:02 PM

Is there any chance that this sword lost its pommel?
I think not, but the Askeaton sword found in Ireland (If I remember correctly)
has a very long upper guard, a 'sandwich of another material, then an iron pommel.
The upper guard on that sword may be longer than on this example.

cornelistromp · 6th January 2023, 01:43 PM

I am very sorry, but my first reaction is that this is a recent reproduction.
The main reasons for this are the very coarse forging, especially the cross and the pommel, unusual inlay decoration, even oxidation and even patination over the sword.
All in all, the sword gives me an unconvincingly or uncomfortable feeling.

if it's your sword, I would advise to have it investigated further and hope that I'm wrong.

best,

22nd December 2022, 03:34 PM	#1
sioume Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 12	Help to identify a viking sword Hello everybody, Back after a long time , I will appreciate some clear informations about a so called viking sword type. I know there are good specialists on this website ! The sword measures 91 cm , weights 1,4 kg, with a rather deep inscription on the blade , unreadable except the end "+....DC+ ?" and was bought a long time ago to a french antiquarian. To my modest knowledges it seems to be a genuine piece considering the corrosion, patina, howeverwhat makes me interrogative is the pommel. Some collectors said to me it is a L or Q Petersen type but the pommel of my sword is quite curved and seems to be more a "O" Type... Also I red on the web that this type is common in Norway which is strange because I thought that curved pommels were from anglo-saxon origins. Riveted the pommel and pommel-guard together ( like on my sword) isn't it also an anglo-saxon technique ? Thanks for helping me to identify the origin and datation of this sword All the best Attached Images

23rd December 2022, 01:19 PM	#2
Reventlov Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 132	Hello, The pommel seems very unusual (and very large), I do not think I have ever seen one quite like it. I think type Q pommels are always made of only one piece, and generally have crosses with a complementary shape. Type L is overall quite different, apart from the curvature of the pommel. The five "knuckles" of the pommel cap remind me of type K more than type O, but both of these types are straight and not curved, with one possible exception that I only know from an illustration, shared below. Type O is also usually quite ornate, with various kinds of surface decorations, while K often plainer. The two-piece, curved pommel plus simple, straight guard actually reminds me more of type Y, though of course the shape of the pommel cap is unique, and I do not think this type is ever riveted in the way shown here. Almost all sword inscriptions are read hilt-to-tip, so the "DC+" is more likely the beginning and not the end of the inscription, and probably should be read as abstract signs and not specific letters. Best, Mark Attached Images

3rd January 2023, 02:02 PM	#3
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Is there any chance that this sword lost its pommel? I think not, but the Askeaton sword found in Ireland (If I remember correctly) has a very long upper guard, a 'sandwich of another material, then an iron pommel. The upper guard on that sword may be longer than on this example.

6th January 2023, 01:43 PM	#4
cornelistromp Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,057	I am very sorry, but my first reaction is that this is a recent reproduction. The main reasons for this are the very coarse forging, especially the cross and the pommel, unusual inlay decoration, even oxidation and even patination over the sword. All in all, the sword gives me an unconvincingly or uncomfortable feeling. if it's your sword, I would advise to have it investigated further and hope that I'm wrong. best,