3449

EARLY ENGLISH BASKET HILTED BACKSWORD.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,750.00 USD Estimated At:5,500.00 - 7,500.00 USD
EARLY ENGLISH BASKET HILTED BACKSWORD.

Overall length: 40 3/8". Blade length: 34". A very interesting and well made English backsword. Blade has a single wide fuller extending to the tip. Blade is etched over the first 9" with a crowned rendition of the English Arms on both sides with the words "DIEU ET MON DROIT" (God and my right) in a ribbon below the arms. Below the arms is a large panoply of arms and above is a fanciful foliate motif. The iron full basket guard has a cut out and chiseled spray of arms in the center panel flanked by panels having 3 branches each. The left edge panel has a scroll motif with a chiseled tassel above & brick archway below. The right edge panel has another panoply of arms with a drum in the center. Swirled globular pommel. Original shagreen grip and wire wrap with original Turks head ferrules still present. An identical example of this rare sword is in the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle and pictured and discussed in "British Basket-Hilted Swords" by Cyril Manzansky, #IIID1, page 209. It is light colored sharkskin with a triple wire wrap and wire Turks head ferrules both top and bottom. No scabbard. CONDITION: blade has a medium gray lightly mottled patina. Etching remains clear and crisp. The hilt is undamaged and shows a dark gray patina overall. Grip is complete and shows only light wear. (02-17830/BF). $5,500-7,500.