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Metal Detecting => Metal Detecting Finds => Topic started by: leehorton7 on May 07, 2011, 15:03:13 PM

Title: Saxon sword pommel?
Post by: leehorton7 on May 07, 2011, 15:03:13 PM
well to start with a quick hello my names lee i live in pontefract west yorkshire and im obsessed with detecting enuff of me had a day out on friday and picked up this very nice sword or dagger pommel , dont know what year yet but will be finding out on the twelveth of this month by the portable antiques society anyways let me know your views on this

[Lost and not recoverable]
Title: Re: sword pommel
Post by: Tascio on May 07, 2011, 15:33:01 PM
Hello Lee, welcome aboard!

A stunning and rare find! Any chance of photographs of the sword pommel from above and below?
Title: Re: sword pommel
Post by: leehorton7 on May 07, 2011, 15:59:00 PM
added two more many thanks
Title: Re: sword pommel
Post by: Tascio on May 07, 2011, 19:11:13 PM
Thanks for those extra pictures! I'm really hoping this will turn out to be saxon/viking, but a 1100-1300 date seems more likely, I'm still checking through some books and other resources, haven't found anything quite like it yet! Nice photos, btw.
Title: Re: sword pommel
Post by: Tascio on May 15, 2011, 22:39:36 PM
It has just occured to me that this could be the lead core of a pommel that might have once have been plated with gold or silver. Is there sign of any metal plating or decoration?
Title: Re: sword pommel
Post by: leehorton7 on May 15, 2011, 23:36:14 PM
theres the line around the outside and a few faint swirls on one of the sides only about 1mm each theres also a hint of green plating left and some black parts that also could be a thin plating, im thinking more saxon than viking now as its not a decrotive as some peices ive seen
Title: Re: sword pommel
Post by: Tascio on May 15, 2011, 23:46:13 PM
Awesome, yep, Anglo-Saxon, 7th-8th century. When I looked at it orginally I thought the black was dirt rather than silver oxide, but then I remembered that some of the very finest known saxon pommels have lead cores. I'll go with a 7th century date for it.

* Thread title updated *
Title: Re: Saxon sword pommel?
Post by: leehorton7 on May 16, 2011, 12:04:00 PM
thats excellent another question is what would it be worth, not that im wanting to sell it as i dont beleive in selling your finds id rather give them to a museum but just for peice of mind
Title: Re: Saxon sword pommel?
Post by: Tascio on May 16, 2011, 22:17:34 PM
No clue on value, I am afraid.