Casgliadau Arlein

Sword hilt fragment - Ewart Park Type, Step 2 or 3

Sword hilt fragment with moderately expanded fishtail terminal. 'British' shape hilt, bulging to a maximum width below midway down the grip, before constricting and then swinging out again on the shoulders. The sides of the hilt grip are flat, however the surfaces are dished with residual flanges apparent along the edges. On one face, there appear to be vestigial hilt ribs alongside the lower rivet hole and central unfinished 'blank'. Towards the upper hilt end is a two rivet-hole arrangement (26.5mm apart), separated at midpoint (13-13.5mm) by an unfinished rivet hole or 'blank'. These rivet holes have drilled wider margins on both faces. Straight, steeply pitched shoulder, below which is a slightly curved (concave) ricasso with a chamfered margin. Two further rivet holes on the shoulder (symmetrically placed, one on each side). Upper blade is narrow with a cross section with gently rounded mid-section, gently concave outer sections to slightly bevelled edges. Top of blade midrib ends in a prominent spike at hilt base. One blade edge damaged, the other intact. Green patina with lighter green corrosion on damaged blade edges and along break. ? patches of black tenorite along the upper hilt surface.

[This combination of features best matches Burgess & Colquhoun Step 2 & 3 types, there being neither early or late features evident]