Rare Medieval Type XVII Broadsword, ca. 1400, Not Excavated!

This is what is generally known as a Type XVII sword, based on the typology of author
and expert R. Ewart Oakeshott.  This type sword was prevalent from roughly 1350 to
1425, which would place it in use during the Hundred Years War between England and
France and the famous Battle of Agincourt.  It features an acutely tapering 29" blade of
flattened hexagonal section with central full-length fuller, with a pair of star-shaped
maker's marks stamped on each side.  The crossguard is a simple one-piece straight bar
of rectangular section tapering toward the ends.  Crossguard is the type classified by
Oakeshott as 1a, a type most commonly found on the Type XVII swords.  The pommel is
a faceted "scent stopper" shape as classified by Oakeshott as Type T, one of the more
prevalent pommel styles found on Type XVII swords which first appeared in the late 14th
C.  Grip is wood with leather wrap.  The wrap appears old and has some small losses, but
it is not dry and flaking as one might expect if it were the original.  Also, such leather
wraps, if original to a sword of this age, generally are worn very thin and often become
almost integral with the wood beneath.  Overall length is 36 1/4", which is smaller than
most Type XVII swords, but still very typical of swords of that period.  It is very well
balanced and can easily be handled with either one or two-handed grip.  Though simple in
design, it just feels right.  Exhibits genuine age, the blade showing lamination and all metal
surfaces with scattered light to moderate pitting and an even age patina.  These early
swords are almost impossible to find when not excavated.