A Bilbo with inscriptions on the blade

[werecow]

Both very nice examples! And an interesting date, being before the 1728 date when they became a standardized model. I was given to understand that the earlier Bilbo models used two screws instead of four to fasten the guard plates. 1720 seems fairly early, yet I see four screws... So is this assumption about the number of screws relating to the date incorrect, am I incorrect in thinking 1720 is early, or is the hilt from a later date?

And just for fun I'll add some pictures (in traditional poor lighting) of the bilbo I bought from Ulfberth last year, because it is one of my favorite swords. Super nimble with quite a lot of reach, a ton of hand protection, and the closest thing to a razor's edge I've seen on an antique sword. Definitely underrated. (Yes I'm aware that that is not a particularly safe way to lay a sword on a table but all the other space was occupied or not photogenic. P)