3rd - 4th Century stone hilted Spatha

[brennivs - tony drake]

I have been looking into stone hilted swords, pommels or complete handles. I have found other than references to them very few pictures are around So I have made a example from various sources and I hope I have captured the feel of this type the guard is made from jade, the grip is antler and the pommel is marble, it is still in the thinking stage the ballance is very good I have used bone as spacers between the shoulders and pommel nut to stop cracking the material as one pommel has already broke in too ad: I am looking at a Roman blade that has been altered in Barbarian hands like some of the Vimose finds so I will be doing Roman/Barbarian scabbard fittings but again still in thought stage





Hope you enjoy Will post as I do the rest of the sword
Regards Brennivs

[Vindex]

Hi Tony

May I be a bit of a spotter and ask for the source of the jade included in your sword, please?

And also interested in your comment about the balance. Was that through trial and error or design?

[MDF]

Hi,
this is very interesting, I did not know swords with stone guard!
You know what stones were used more?
I build knives and I think the guard hole is the most complicated to achieve, what you use for working jade without crack it?

Thanks

[brennivs - tony drake]

Hi Vindex source for the jade, I picked it up from a shop in Castle Douglas I ground one side down to sit on the shoulders. It is very difficult to pick up stone items that fit the bill so it has been on the back burnner until I had all the right pieces. The ballance was just came together as I made the hilt compared to hard wood it works quite well for longer blades.
MDF you are right there is no evidence for stone gaurds, but I think I have pictures of full jade handle swords but cannot put hands on them from a Russian museum ( but knowen my luck could turn out to be bronze :lol: :lol: ) Other than the chinese use of jade handled swords/daggers jade sword pieces are knowen from the Roman period.But if anyone out threr has any pics of what could be stone gaurds please post I just used a drill at slow speed and finished the hole with files but it was a nerve racking job, I drilled 3 holes for the slot. If I feel that it will not work I will just replace the gaurd with bone or antler
Regards Brennivs

[caiusbeerquitius]

Isn´t it rather jet and not jade?

[Crispvs]

Tony,

You probably know about it already but I thought I might mention that the sword carried by the Persian officer who died in the mine at Dura had a jade pommel.


Christian,

It looks like jade to me. Surely jet is normally black.


Crispvs

[caiusbeerquitius]

Crispus, I meant the Roman originals.

[Vindex]

Tony,

You probably know about it already but I thought I might mention that the sword carried by the Persian officer who died in the mine at Dura had a jade pommel.

Crispvs

Lightbulb moment!! Thank you Crispus...knew I'd seen one somewhere recently...

[brennivs - tony drake]

Yes Crispvs you are right there is a jade pommel, also a rock crystal pommel as well. There are a few examples also from Vimose and other places. Christian I have not come across any examples of jet hilt fittings but I think they woould look very nice on a sword Sorry for the late replys but I have been busy making the chape the last two days and hope to have it finished for Friday, before I am of to Hardwick Hall for the weekend Ive copied it from one of the many finds from there. There is also a jade figure found at Viminacium so the Romans where useing jade for decrotive items. Hope to post as soon as I can Also it is my 1000 post on a great site
Regards Brennivs

[brennivs - tony drake]

Just a quick post nearly finished the chape




Hope you like, will post more later
Regards Brennivs

[Musivarius]

Brennivs,

What drill bit did you use? Most decent tile shops should have some diamond bits in different sizes. These are circular bits with diamonds set around the edge. These will make pretty quick work of any hole needed. They also come with the resorvior to keep the drill bit wet (please tell me you had a P3 rated mask on when drilling the stone :wink: )They tend to be priced from about £12 up depending on the diameter.
I do wonder how they would of faired given the vibration through the marble. There is of course the arguement that they would have been experienced enough to know how to attach the stone in a way that does not allow it to move in relation to the the rest of the sword assembly thereby reducing the vibration.

[Vindex]

Smart bit of work, Tony.

Can't believe it's time for Hardwick again already!! Sadly wont be there this year; still stuck "doon sooth" as they say.

[MDF]

Thanks for reply Brennivs,
I suppose that these stones require very low speed for not to break ... I have no more experience in stone but a few months ago I tried to work a rock crystal and has been a disaster :evil:

[brennivs - tony drake]

I dont have much time so a quick post I will answer questions when I get back from Hardwick Hall

I have silvered all the fittings more bling




As you can see I have just finished the sword It was a bit of a slog to have it ready for the weekend so I hope you all like will post when I get back. All have a great weekend
Regards Brennivs

[brennivs - tony drake]

Just two more pics





Regards Brennivs