Here is a point for discussion.

The seller claims this is a river find sword and shield. For those that have studied the real thing, is it really? To me, the fuller and point of the sword seem "wrong", but I haven't seen or handled enough of the originals to make a definitive identification. It also doesn't appear to be damascus steel, but just pitting and patina on the blade. Any thoughts or observations?

http://cgi.aol.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?View...4&rd=1

While it is always hard to judge stuff from pics alone, I think fish isn't the only thing fishy that could be found in that river. The fuller looks non-typical, and more what you could expect from low-end Central European reproduction swords. The shield is curious, too. All-metal shields are very rare before the 16th century, and shields without any visible means of attaching the grip and/or straps even more rare... $5600? Someone is going to take a huuuge risk...

In Records of the Medieval Sword, I found an example of the hilt portion of the fuller on Xa.17 to be rounded off like this sword, but not both ends. I was originally bothered by the pommel, but found several variants from that period similar to this, so there is a shadow of doubt. Are engraved or inlayed letters/symbols the exception or the norm for this period? This sword apparently has none. Also, just because the shield was found nearby doesn't necessarily mean that they go together. Ahhh, to be able to own a "11-12th C." shield that has a genuine "shield hump"! :p

The bottom lines is that it's a fool errand to buy these kinds of things off of e-bay.

These kinds of items should be examined and documented by experts in the field beore a buyer should even consider a purchase.