Piggot Type IV

Currently in post-heat treat. Fittings are being carved.

My next sword project will be based on the Owslebury sword.  The original sword and grave finds are of Belgic influence.  The size and style of blade shows influence from La Téne III continental blades.  The length and width of this blade makes it one of the larger swords found in Britain from this time period.  A crown hilt might at first not seem right for a Belgic influenced blade found in the south since Piggot attributed these as being a native style from the north.  Piggot also wrote that the cocked hat style of guard was a northern style as well, but at least two examples have been found on the continent from the La Tene III period. Since his writings a number of crown hilts have been found in the south and most seem to be of larger size than the northern counter parts.  A loose crown hilt from Vale of Glamorgan comes in at 82mm wide and shows signs of being fit to a very wide blade.  Blades of this size are only know in areas of Belgic influence.

   

The sketch for Nate Bell's La Tene III double fullered blade was included for a size reference.