Museum Quality English Mortuary Sword
In the early 17th century the military man still favoured a heavy cut and thrust sword. Rapiers were considered too flimsy for the battlefield and a military man who faced the prospect of death wanted a blade strong enough that he could trust with his life.
Typical military swords of the day had broad single or double edged blades and substantial guards of basket form to offer the maximum protection to the sword hand.
Basket hilt swords first appeared in Germany in the mid 1500’s and soon became popular throughout Europe especially with cavalrymen.
The mortuary sword represents one such sword and examples can often be found with heads cast or chiselled into the hilt, these were said to represent the execution of Charles I during the English civil war period but as examples are known dated before 1649, the fateful year of the execution this legend is most likely just Victorian romanticism.
Certainly the mortuary sword has become linked with the struggle between the Roundheads and the Cavaliers of the English Civil War so it is as fitting a title to describe this sword type.
The whole sword measures approx 32 " (825mm)
The blade measures approx 39 1/2" (1004mm) and is 40mm at its widest point
The Mortuary sword weighs approx 1.53 kg
