Another 'Helmes' Sword in the Works -- myArmoury.com

Peter Johnsson · Industry Professional

The square look, or exaggerated seriffs on some letters is part of the style of some of these inscriptions. Below are samples from three swords that are very similar in character when it comes to the style of "handwriting" used for the letters.

J.D. Crawford · Posted: Wed 13 Jun, 2012 7:43 am Post subject:

Thanks Peter!

I recognize the top inscription from the River Witham sword and the bottom one from the Whittlesea Mere sword, so if this is further evidence for related style and your colleague is right about dating the Wittham sword, this would seem to indicate an early 13th century date for all three blades. This sounds right.

In the past I tended to ignore inscriptions as irrelevant to the function of the sword, but I'm gaining much more appreciation for their historical value from this discussion. I hope its the same for other people reading this.

J.D. Crawford · Posted: Wed 13 Jun, 2012 8:44 am Post subject:

I really like this line of scholarly inquiry (and still have one more thing to say about this sword, based on its unusual form and possible date).

However, its time to give the people what they want: final pictures of Jeff's latest masterpiece!

(I will hold back further comments for later since likely I'll end up writing some kind of review when I get my hands on it.)

Tim Lison · Posted: Wed 13 Jun, 2012 8:49 am Post subject:

Ahhhh, now that's the stuff! The final piece looks great and I can't wait to hear how it feels! Make sure you post some pics of it "in hand" too as it gives a nice perspective. Top notch sword from a great maker! Well played Moriarty...but you've not had the last laugh...

Robin Smith · Posted: Wed 13 Jun, 2012 10:26 am Post subject:

Sweet! Looks awesome. I really like the pommel, and the addition of the grip really seems to tame the proportions on the cross some.

Jeremy V. Krause · Posted: Wed 13 Jun, 2012 11:54 am Post subject:

GREAT!

Things have come together beautifully!

This sword gives a stern and somewhat severe aire, at least to my eye. The grip seems on the long side (though historical) and when matched with the long guard, gives the hilt an epic impression.

Subtle is not a word I would use to describe this guy!

The pommel is especially handsome and this is surprising to me as I thought I wouldn't care for it.

A handsome weapon all around.

Congratulations!

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Wed 13 Jun, 2012 5:32 pm Post subject:

Very interesting pommel not often seen reproduced ( Or at least I don't remember seeing any others. Wink

), the very long guard is very harmonious with the blade and handle proportions.

The lettering adds a great deal to the aesthetic appeal and I'm seriously impressed by the whole sword and I'm also looking forward to a full review and handling characteristics.

One of the nicest swords I've seen on this site. Big Grin

Antonio Ganarini · Posted: Wed 13 Jun, 2012 11:55 pm Post subject:

J.D. Crawford · Posted: Thu 14 Jun, 2012 6:26 am Post subject:

Thanks Guys! Jean, you should really think of giving Jeff a try. And yes, there will be 'action' photos and some kind of review.

You can also see what Jeff's peers are saying here:
http://forums.dfoggknives.com/index.php?showtopic=23537&st=0
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthrea...th-century

I have one last thought about this sword that I've been harboring for a while. It's about the unusual (one of a kind?) pommel, which the museum describes as 'two pyramids fused at the base'.

Part of the reason I was keen to establish a more firm date for this sword was to think about what was going on in the minds of Western European Knights at that time. During the late 12th century, there was a switch in strategy in the Crusader states to focus on the chief Ayyubid power-based in Egypt, the land of the pyramids. As the the Crusader states wained in influence and Egypt was taken over by the Mamluks in the 13th century, Western Europe continued this obsession, resulting in the fifth (1218-1221) and 7th (1249-1250) crusades; both ill-fated invasions of Egypt. Excellent first-hand accounts are available in Jean de Joinville's memoirs and in 'The Crusades Through Arab Eyes' (an informative and entertaining book that fills in a lot of gaps left in standard Europe-centric accounts).

I'm one of those who believes that imagery was commonplace in ancient European swords (Thors hammer and fist imagery in Viking pommels, the crucifix in Christian swords, crescent symbols of Mary in some pommels, etc).

Here, I speculate that some knight of the early 13th century who participated in the crusades commissioned a sword with a pyramid-like pommel, because he had heard of or seen the pyramids, either in preparation for a crusade or after a crusade. If before, it could have been a macho 'hammer of Egypt' motif, or if after, it could have been a badge of honor to show off his participation in one of the major events of the century. I know, its all speculation, and likely unproveable, but still I like it. For me, this is a huge part of collecting - the ability of a modern reconstruction to evoke images of the past and link the owner to major events in history.

Well, that just about does it for this one, at least until I can put together some kind of review. Thanks everyone for contributing your ideas to this thread, especially for encouraging us to include the inlay in the sword, which turned out to be the most interesting part of the project!

- JD (Doug) Crawford

Luka Borscak · Posted: Thu 14 Jun, 2012 7:21 am Post subject:

This turned out to be really one of the most interesting swords of that period that I have seen replicated! The other being your type N pommeled germanic sword. Happy

Although pyramid connection is unprovable it's actually quite plausible. I would like to see the pommel from more angles, from the ones in this thread I can't really decide if the pommel is 4 sided like pyramids are or is it more like two cones merged at the base and with a flat surface on front and back side...

J.D. Crawford · Posted: Thu 14 Jun, 2012 8:22 am Post subject:

Tim Lison · Posted: Thu 14 Jun, 2012 8:47 am Post subject:

JD, don't forget to take a couple group shots with your other swords and this one. Swords always look better in a group!

Kai Lawson · Posted: Thu 14 Jun, 2012 9:12 am Post subject:

Both sword and inlay are beautiful. Congratulations sir!

J.D. Crawford · Posted: Thu 14 Jun, 2012 10:15 am Post subject:

Josh Wilson · Posted: Fri 15 Jun, 2012 11:17 am Post subject:

Very cool!! A fine piece indeed!

J Helmes · Industry Professional

Thanks for the compliments guys! These threads are a really fantastic learning experience. The feedback and knowledge that was generously shared here was invaluable, not only to help in the reproduction but to fill out many of the missing details of the personal story of this particular sword. It's amazing how this kind of thing changes the act of making a sword from some pictures and measurements, into a real journey into history.

Thanks!
Jeff

J.D. Crawford · Posted: Sun 24 Jun, 2012 12:33 pm Post subject:

There is now a review of this sword here: http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?p=250709

J.D. Crawford · Posted: Sat 18 Aug, 2012 11:52 am Post subject:

I was interested to come across this original sword dated to 11-12th century, which recent sold (at quite a good price it would seem if its an authentic sword).

http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/19794/lot/143/

The guard looks identical to the cross on the sword replicated here.

Jeremy V. Krause · Posted: Sat 18 Aug, 2012 8:16 pm Post subject:

Robin Smith · Posted: Sat 18 Aug, 2012 8:46 pm Post subject:

Given the overall similarity of form, I would not be surprised if it came from the same workshop...