"Walloon-Hilt" Sword
Dateabout 1650–1700
Mediumsteel, iron, brass and wood
Dimensions105.4 × 90.2 cm (41 1/2 × 35 1/2 in.), 2 lb, 1 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
MarkingsAll 4 fullers marked "+ ANTHANI + IOHANNI +".
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.302
DescriptionSteel double-edge lozenge-section rapier blade tapering to acute point. Both sides of forte with pair of deep short fullers, identically marked "+ ANTHANI + IOHANNI +". Iron "Walloon" broadsword hilt of 2nd 1/2 17th c. Asymmetrical shells filled with embossed iron plates. Two iron arms form half-basket hilt with 1 balustered bar rising from obverse shell & plugging into pommel & another bar forming knuckle guard also fitted into pommel. Short rear quillon with swollen flat terminal curved toward blade.
Iron inverted fig-shaped pommel with button & necked base. Spiral wooden grip wrapped in iron wire & overlaid with coiled brass wire. Wrapping perhaps restored. Pair of restored brass "Turk's heads" at ends. Rear shell with iron thumb-ring. Hilt apparently once fire-blued.
Label TextThis sword, deriving from the plain cross-hilted sword of the Middle Ages, is typical of the military swords of the period, suitable for combat both on foot and from horseback. The thumb-ring provided additional control over the blade, and was a new feature at the time this sword was made.ProvenancePurchased by John W. Higgins on November 23, 1928 from American Art Association (NY), lot no. 113 (Dean armor sale). Given to the Museum on January 8, 1947. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
On View
Not on view
about 1600–1650
1650–1700
