An antique 17th-18th c. Walloon
Aug 15, 2018 23:48:12 GMT
Post by viece on Aug 15, 2018 23:48:12 GMT
Hello all,
I’d like to show you another of my favorite antiques. The two previous ones I’ve posted are here:
sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/54967/antique-scottish-basket-hilt-broadsword
sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/54972/antique-german-basket-hilt-sword
This one is a 17th-18th century Walloon-hilted sword with a straight, double-edged diamond section blade. It has been characterized in the past as a haudegen but my impression is that those are often broader and more cutting-focused. The writhen pommel, quillon, sweeping bars, thumb ring, and asymmetrical pierced shells of the guard all appear to be of steel. The grip is leather or sheepskin over wood, bound with twisted copper wire. It may be a replacement but if so is very old, probably during its use life. Everything is solid and tight.
The blade is still fairly sharp and relatively undamaged but does show some forging defects, likely brought out by later corrosion that was then cleaned off. It has seen some action; the larger guard shell is missing a small piece that appears to have been knocked out by a musket ball or blade strike.
I love the character of the flaws and damage on this piece, and of course a non-trivial associated factor is that that means it was affordable. When this sword came to me it had taken some severe impacts in the mail and the blade was bent into a shallow S curve. I very slowly and carefully straightened it at the bent points using clamps and dowels as shown by Matt Easton in one of his videos.
Here are the basic stats:
Weight/mass: 1.89 lb; 0.86 kg
Total length: 37.4”; 95 cm
Blade length: 31.9”; 81 cm
Guard max length (along the rear quillon): 5.9”; 15 cm
Hilt max width: 4.9”; 12.5 cm
Grip length: 3.7”; 9.5 cm
Blade max width at guard: 1.3”; 3.3 cm
Point of balance: 3.3”; 8.5 cm
Distal taper of the blade: 0.28” or 7 mm thick just below the guard, tapering to 0.10” or 2.5 mm thick at 4” or 10 cm from the tip
It went through an auction in Portugal a few years ago and was listed as being associated with the War of the Restoration in 1640 (a conflict between Portugal and Spain). I don’t know of any direct evidence of such an association or date and usually see these associated more with northern and central Europe. If it does date to such an early period, then I’m very happy, but I have collected other assessments that place it in the later 17th century or early 18th century instead. It’s probably not possible to slice things so thinly and pin down the date or association, since so many armies were moving around Europe throughout this period, cross-pollinating tactics and weapons styles.
I think this is the prettiest sword I have. The proportions and lines are just right, very elegant. In the hand it is incredibly fast, owing to the light weight and close POB. It almost feels like a smallsword, although of course the thumb ring forces you into a hammer grip instead of a smallsword or saber grip. It’s also generously sized for a complex hilt and so fits my large paws far better than the other antiques I’ve posted previously.
Please let me know if you have any questions or comments. Thanks for reading.
I’d like to show you another of my favorite antiques. The two previous ones I’ve posted are here:
sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/54967/antique-scottish-basket-hilt-broadsword
sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/54972/antique-german-basket-hilt-sword
This one is a 17th-18th century Walloon-hilted sword with a straight, double-edged diamond section blade. It has been characterized in the past as a haudegen but my impression is that those are often broader and more cutting-focused. The writhen pommel, quillon, sweeping bars, thumb ring, and asymmetrical pierced shells of the guard all appear to be of steel. The grip is leather or sheepskin over wood, bound with twisted copper wire. It may be a replacement but if so is very old, probably during its use life. Everything is solid and tight.
The blade is still fairly sharp and relatively undamaged but does show some forging defects, likely brought out by later corrosion that was then cleaned off. It has seen some action; the larger guard shell is missing a small piece that appears to have been knocked out by a musket ball or blade strike.
I love the character of the flaws and damage on this piece, and of course a non-trivial associated factor is that that means it was affordable. When this sword came to me it had taken some severe impacts in the mail and the blade was bent into a shallow S curve. I very slowly and carefully straightened it at the bent points using clamps and dowels as shown by Matt Easton in one of his videos.
Here are the basic stats:
Weight/mass: 1.89 lb; 0.86 kg
Total length: 37.4”; 95 cm
Blade length: 31.9”; 81 cm
Guard max length (along the rear quillon): 5.9”; 15 cm
Hilt max width: 4.9”; 12.5 cm
Grip length: 3.7”; 9.5 cm
Blade max width at guard: 1.3”; 3.3 cm
Point of balance: 3.3”; 8.5 cm
Distal taper of the blade: 0.28” or 7 mm thick just below the guard, tapering to 0.10” or 2.5 mm thick at 4” or 10 cm from the tip
It went through an auction in Portugal a few years ago and was listed as being associated with the War of the Restoration in 1640 (a conflict between Portugal and Spain). I don’t know of any direct evidence of such an association or date and usually see these associated more with northern and central Europe. If it does date to such an early period, then I’m very happy, but I have collected other assessments that place it in the later 17th century or early 18th century instead. It’s probably not possible to slice things so thinly and pin down the date or association, since so many armies were moving around Europe throughout this period, cross-pollinating tactics and weapons styles.
I think this is the prettiest sword I have. The proportions and lines are just right, very elegant. In the hand it is incredibly fast, owing to the light weight and close POB. It almost feels like a smallsword, although of course the thumb ring forces you into a hammer grip instead of a smallsword or saber grip. It’s also generously sized for a complex hilt and so fits my large paws far better than the other antiques I’ve posted previously.
Please let me know if you have any questions or comments. Thanks for reading.
Attachments:
