Pictish Sword

Approx. Period: 500 AD
Length: 0.60m Width: 0.10m

Few fragments survive from Pictish weapons but it is possible to prepare reconstructions from Pictish stone inscriptions. Many illustrations show a distinctive curved pommel above the blade. though some artefacts suggest intricate ornamentation and silverwork was also used. The blades are considered to be wide and designed for slashing and stabbing.

The sword blade shown is a cast iron wide blade with ground and sharpened edges. Illustrations indicate that the point may have been rounded rather than worked to a point. The iron blade is cast with an integral tang onto which is fitted a bronze pommel and quillion with an ivory handle.