Short Sword (fragmentary)

Date1480–1500

Mediumiron

DimensionsSword: 58 × 13.8 × 16 cm, 42 mm (22 13/16 × 5 7/16 × 6 5/16)
Pommel: 42 × 20 × 39 mm
1 lb, 6 oz (total weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsAccession number "238.99" in red on rear of blade below cross.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.447

DescriptionThis double-edged weapon is of the short-sword form often associated with foot use. Blade of stiff, flattened-lozenge section, with rectangular tang tapering uniformly to its flattened terminal without button. Cross recurved in blade plane; of elliptical section with slightly flared rounded tips. Forward arm fashioned to form knuckle-guard. Arms branch from strong quillon-block with slightly rounded "écusson", itself vertically incised on faces.

Losses on outside face of cross suggest that hilt had some form of rudimentary side-ring (c. 1480-1500, Blair p. 4, Norman p. 34.

Stout pommel of inverted, truncated conical form, circular section with near-flat top & short, necked base encircled above with thin incised line. The end of the tang is crudely bent to the side to secure the pommel, without washer or peening.

The assembly of the weapon suggests that it was fabricated from differing, existing parts. This could have been a matter of field-expediency, or compositing for the market, or a combination of the two. The relatively consistent surface supports the former possibility, though the rough attachment of the pommel is surprising even for a field repair.
Label TextThis sword has lost a part of its blade toward the tip, but it was never as long as a typical knightly sword. The S-shaped crossbar protected the user's hand on one side, while the forward curve on the opposite side could help trap an opponent's weapon. ProvenancePurchased by John W. Higgins from Sumner Healey, N.Y., April 30, 1929 as part of lot 238 (this piece ex-#57). Given to the Armory on December 15, 1931. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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