English Mortuary Hilted Backsword, ca. 1640

Description

Iron hilt with large oval plate guard featuring crudely chiseled floral decor and busts of
Charles I; integrally forged knuckle bow and side bars screwed to the chiseled ovoid
pommel; the side bars joined to the knuckle bow by a pair of diagonal bars. Short
scrolled rear quillon; later leather-wrapped grip with twisted wire. Tapering straight
single-edged 30 ½” blade with two narrow fullers at the back running nearly the full
length; the point rounded. Sword shows much age and wear, as typically found, with
pitting and an untouched nearly black patina overall. Common cavalry weapon used by
both sides during the English Civil War. Overall length 36 3/4″.