AN ENGLISH 'MORTUARY' HILTED BACKSWORD, SECOND QUARTER OF THE 17TH CENTURY

with broad blade double-edged towards the point, formed with a full length central fuller stamped 'Ceiles Herder' (indistinct) and 'Me fecit Hounsloe' on the respective faces, and a further slender fuller along the back-edge, symmetrical iron hilt comprising a pair of langets, vestigial quillon, basket-guard chiselled at the base with scrolling foliage carrying mulberry fruit within shaped frames, knuckle-guard joined to the front and rear guard by a pair of diagonal bars each interrupted by a moulding, and a further scrolling bar front and back, ovoid pommel chiselled with foliage, spirally carved wooden grip with an early binding of plaited copper wire between 'Turk's heads', and remaining in fine condition throughout

76.7 cm; 30 ¼ in blade

Ceile Herder immigrated from Solingen to Hounslow in 1649 where he worked during the period of Parliamentary control. He later changed his name to Cecil Furber.