Blade of a "Sax" (utility sword)

Cultureprobably Frankish

Date700s

Mediumsteel

Dimensions69.2 × 12.1 cm (27 1/4 × 4 3/4 in.), 14 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Markings"53." in red paint on outside near tang.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.446

DescriptionSteel, in excavated condition. Straight, single-edged blade, relatively long and thin, with flat back & spear point. Near cutting edge is incised thin line on both faces, extending from within tang, to point, to which it curves. Outside near the tang has been partially ground down in modern times.

Broad, flat tang of moderate length, & tapering to blunt point. Tang with single, oval hole near shoulders.

The blade appears to be constructed of two layers of iron sandwiching a layer of steel; the line of the steel can be seen particularly along the cutting edge, and a distinct V can be seen on the tang just below the shoulder, where steel tapers off and the sandwiching iron comes together. The tang appears to be a separate piece of iron forge welded onto the blade assembly with a scarf joint; the hole in the tang may have served to pin the tang to the blade during the process.
ProvenancePurchased by John Woodman Higgins as part of a lot of items said to be from Aix-en-Provence, from Sumner Healey (NYC) on 20 April 1929. Given to the Museum on 15 December 1931. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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