Sword from the latter half of the 15^th Century

There’s some confusion regarding this sword (Wallace Collection inv.# A.466). In Norman’s and Mann’s ”European Arms and Armour in the Wallace Collection”, the pommel is said to be of bronze, and the cross of copper, while Oakeshott claims in “Records of the Medieval Sword” that the pommel is gilt iron, and the copper cross might be a 19^th century replacement. He sets the manufacture of the sword to the years 1440-60, which is a bit earlier than most other estimates. David Edge, on the other hand, says in ”European Arms and Armour” that the pommel and cross are made from some copper alloy, and that the sword can be dated to the years 1450-75. The latest bid is that the pommel is bronze (probably hollow), and that the cross is copper. Unofficially, the cross is regarded as a 19^th century replacement, as well as the well-shaped horn grip, while the rest of the sword is the genuine article. This would make the sword a composite, something it shares with a lot of other weapons and armour that wound up in collections in the 19^th century. Anyhow, the sword is extremely attractive, with a blade in very good condition. A couple of copper marks are inlaid on each side of the blade, c. 20 cm/8” from the cross, and the point is reinforced for improved penetration. The sword is very pleasant to handle.

Maker's mark

Close-up of the hilt
Detail of the pommel

Oakeshott classification:
Blade type: XVIII
Pommel type: V
Cross-style: 2, knobbed

Dimensions:
Length: 1055 mm (41.5”)
Blade length: 890 mm (35”)
Blade width: 41 mm at the base (1.6”)
Pommel, height: 65 mm (2.56”), width 60 mm (2.36”)
Width of cross: 160 mm (6.3”)
Point of balance: 110 mm (4.33”) from the cross
Location of primary node: c. 560 mm (22”) from the cross
Weight: 1340 grams ( 2 lbs 15 oz)

Bibliography:

James G. Mann & A.V.B. Norman: European Arms and Armour in the Wallace Collection, p. 244 (vol. 1), p. 114 (vol. 2)
Ewart Oakeshott: Records of the Medieval Sword, p. 179