Tudor sword

[mrclark303]

Afternoon all,

Just in the final steps of securing an original Tudor sword in excellent condition, a rather old milsurp...

Pics when I get her in my mitts ...

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[browningautorifle]

Looking forward...

[mrclark303]

Cheers Jim, trying to get the deal finalised before Christmas, had my eye on it for donkeys years...

Just patiently waiting.

[mrclark303]

Evening gents, well I took delivery of my sword today and spent the afternoon very carefully cleaning, oiling, conserving and studying it.

Absolutely filthy, but its coming back to life with a lot of work.

Its an amazingly complete and exellent example of a military basket hilted backsword, with leather hilt liner and scabbard, dated 1531.

The blade is German, Sahagum, with a running wolf emblem of the correct mid 16th century style.

The basket, perhaps a 17th century addition,(complete with what is best described as a fossilised leather liner) features hearts in its design, possibly indicating a Scottish connection??

After cleaning the blade, it has clear evidence of blade strikes on its cutting edge, interesting, combat related perhaps..

Pics in the week chaps..

[mrclark303]

Evening chaps, here she is. Coming from someone who likes to restore firearms and bayonets, its been a bit of a step change, I have had to switch to conservation and preservation on this one!

Baring in mind this blade was forged 14 years before Henry VIII's Flagship, the Mary Rose sank, the blades in excellent order, a very gentle clean and oil with a cloth has gradually brought out more detail, including definite sword strikes on its leading edge!

I used Leather oil to nourish the leather basket liner, its still hard as steel, almost fossilised after all these centuries, but at least its conserved now.

I am still thinking Scottish in origin at this point (the basket heart design and Celtic knot copper detailing on the handle seem to indicate this), though I am no expert and the research has just begun really.

Rather frustratingly, there is an inscription in Latin at the base of the blade, you can only make out the odd letter due to the surface corrosion, but removing any patina is a very bad idea, so it will be logged for further study at some point.

All in all very happy with it, I will report back when I know a little more about it.

Attachment 89050Attachment 89049Attachment 89048Attachment 89047Attachment 89046Attachment 89045Attachment 89044Attachment 89043Attachment 89042

[mrclark303]

Forgot this one guys ...Attachment 89051

[browningautorifle]

What a beautiful old blade, a real old workhorse. Very nice, worth waiting for.

[mrclark303]

Thanks Jim, I am thrilled to have this piece in my collection. I have a contact at the Leeds Royal Armoury and I will submit my images, measurements and thoughts on its origins to him, to see what he thinks.... Probably tell me I am totally wrong!

[30Three]

The craftsmanship on the handle is impressive. As is the condition.
Great piece for your collection.

[mrclark303]

Evening Shaun, really pleased to land the piece. I am hoping to piece as much history together as I can.

I am currently waiting to hear back from the relevant expert at Royal Armoury Leeds.

I am certainly no expert in this area and only have a base working knowledge, so await with great interest his opinion on my hunches.

Very interested to know what fish/animal skin was used for the handle , it isn't leather