Proto Mortuary Sword

Jim McDougall · 5th December 2025, 03:05 PM

Yours is certainly one of the finest examples I've seen!
Mine is pretty rough, but intact. I wish I had better pictures, so reminds me next time I 'visit' it to take better ones.

My example also has ANDREA FERARA blade with central fullers, when it was published in 'Bezdek' it was shown dating c.1642 by the author. It is decidedly rough, and the guard has separated from the pommel, but it is good for my 'historically' purposes.

The Andrea Ferara (Solingen) blades on our examples illustrates that these blades were by no means confined to the Scottish markets as mentioned.
The familiar spurious Spanish 'Espadero del Rey' mark is of course also a favored convention the Solingen makers added often.

The fullering on yours again is phenomenal. Could you post the other you mention? This is a good opportunity to discuss more on these 'mortuary' hilted swords.

5th December 2025, 03:05 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,782	Yours is certainly one of the finest examples I've seen! Mine is pretty rough, but intact. I wish I had better pictures, so reminds me next time I 'visit' it to take better ones. My example also has ANDREA FERARA blade with central fullers, when it was published in 'Bezdek' it was shown dating c.1642 by the author. It is decidedly rough, and the guard has separated from the pommel, but it is good for my 'historically' purposes. The Andrea Ferara (Solingen) blades on our examples illustrates that these blades were by no means confined to the Scottish markets as mentioned. The familiar spurious Spanish 'Espadero del Rey' mark is of course also a favored convention the Solingen makers added often. The fullering on yours again is phenomenal. Could you post the other you mention? This is a good opportunity to discuss more on these 'mortuary' hilted swords. Attached Images