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Stilicho\'s sword
#1
One thing that as a longer term dream I'd like to reconstruct is Stilicho's sword.
The hilt is a bit of a mystery to me- what is behind the round shape on the top of the pommel and the tapered grip? What could that represent?
[Image: stilicho.jpg]

I see a similar shape in Honorius' sword hilt as well.
[Image: Consular_diptych_Probus_406.jpg]

So, from a practical perspective, what would this look like in reality? And why a tapered grip?

Cheers

Paul
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#2
In having made many Roman swords in my time ( earlier period ones of course 1st 2nd century ) most appear to have had what we might consider tapering grips, this I would think has to do with the shape of the human hand and finger size.

In short your little pinkie finger of your hand has to have a smaller diam' to get round the grip.
Brian Stobbs
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#3
I should also have mentioned the little ball piece on the top holds on a plate that stops the sword sliding out of the hand when in use, this ball of course protects the upper plate when the tang is peened down to hold the handle.
Brian Stobbs
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#4
I would say the second one is more like a ring-pommel sword, but with a solid 'bowl' instead of the ring.

The Stilicho one seems to be something like this one from Patrick Barta
[url:3turqot6]http://www.templ.net/pics-weapons/137-german_spatha/137-hilt-v.jpg[/url]
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#5
A lot of later 3rd/4th C swords have one of these on top of the upper guard to act as a washer for the tang to be peened into:-
[attachment=0:37b8w2k0]<!-- ia0 ill.jpg<!-- ia0 [/attachment:37b8w2k0]

I'd assumed (dangerous I know) that the objects at the top of the Stilicho and Honorius swords were much the same sort of thing.
"Medicus" Matt Bunker

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#6
Thanks all- really helpful. Matt, that sword in the picture is a beaut- where's it from?
Cheers
Caballo
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#7
Quote:Thanks all- really helpful. Matt, that sword in the picture is a beaut- where's it from?
Cheers
Caballo

Illerup Adal.
Have you not seen the finds books for Illerup? There are two whole volumes just on the swords.
"Medicus" Matt Bunker

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#8
I've just the one, slimmer vol on Illerup, plus the Christian Miks two vol work on Roman Swords in German. Whatbarevthe details of the Illerup swords vols?
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#9
[url:eazogdj2]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Illerup-Adal-Fundlisten-Archaeological-Publications/dp/8788415384/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1289923954&sr=8-10[/url]
"Medicus" Matt Bunker

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#10
Hmmm, confusing that. Is it in English as it states, or German, as it states.. :roll: :lol:

I was thinking one of these might be a crystal pommel sword like the one from Dura, but that photo is interesting.
Visne partem mei capere? Comminus agamus! * Me semper rogo, Quid faceret Iulius Caesar? * Confidence is a good thing! Overconfidence is too much of a good thing.
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#11
Quote:Hmmm, confusing that. Is it in English as it states, or German, as it states.. :roll: :lol:

German. Lots of it.
But many, many illustrations and photos as well.
"Medicus" Matt Bunker

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#12
Like the Miks books then? Great illustrations, but occassionally frustrating when trying to match up to a specific time period. ~(Unless you speak German) Sad
Visne partem mei capere? Comminus agamus! * Me semper rogo, Quid faceret Iulius Caesar? * Confidence is a good thing! Overconfidence is too much of a good thing.
[b]Legio XIIII GMV. (Q. Magivs)RMRS Remember Atuatuca! Vengence will be ours!
Titus Flavius Germanus
Batavian Coh I
Byron Angel
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#13
A couple of possible parallels for the pommel from medieval times. Cystal / Jade pommels have been found in Roman contexts (eg Dura).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/ ... rystal.jpg



Rock
Sold at Sotheby's Olympia 4 December 2003 for 15,600. GBP

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The blade cut with a broad very shallow central fuller framed by a pair of narrow fullers converging towards the tip on each face and cut with a running wolf mark retaining traces of latten inlay on one side, iron cross-piece of tapering rectangular section down-turned at the tips and incorporating a pair of slender centrally ridged écussons, retaining its original large rock crystal pommel of robust wheel shape carved with a distinctive ridge running from the base of the centre to the joint with the grip on both sides (natural flaws, one face cracked below the tang button resulting in a very small chip), and fitted with an early two-stage leather-covered wooden grip incorporating a latten fillet at the base and another beneath the prominent tang button (the blade and cross-piece with patches of light pitting)

[Image: crystal_pommel.jpg]



A rare medieval sword with a jasper wheel-pommel, late 13th/first half of the 14th Century,
probably Spanish, sold in July 1996 for 22,425 GBP

[Image: jasper_pommel.jpg]
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