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1911.29.9

Two-edged iron rapier blade of lozenge section, grooved near the hilt on both sides and with a perforated tang.

1911.29.9

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Collection type
Object
Description
Two-edged iron rapier blade of lozenge section, grooved near the hilt on both sides and with a perforated tang.
Long description
Two-edged iron rapier blade of lozenge section, grooved near the hilt on both sides and with a perforated tang. In both grooves is the inscription 'SAHAGVM' with an incised oval at each end of the word.
Cultural groups
English
Person
Maker Sahagum
Field collector Percy Manning
PRM source Percy Manning
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1906
Date collected
1906
Acquisition information
Donated: 1911
Materials and processes
Material Iron Metal, Material Steel Metal, Process Inscribed, Process Forged (Metal), Process Incised, Process Perforated
Dimensions
Length: max 1035 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1911.29.9
Research and responses

Alonzo de Sahagun, sword-cutler, Spaniard, of the sixteenth century, called the elder, was living in 1570 [http://atkinson-swords.com/marks-and-stamps/makers-marks/marks-of-individual-chief.html accessed 30/03/2015]. The Wiscasset Antiques website records a sword they have engraved 'Sahagum' with an image of the Passau running fox and “Crown XX”. Due to the known blades that were made in Germany in the 17th century with the “Sahagum” or “Sahagon” mark copying the world renowed Spanish sword maker and the running fox, they believe their sword to be of German manufacture. [http://www.wiscassetantiquescenter.com/edged_weapons.htm accessed 30/03/2015] [MJD 30/03/2015]

The reference to Egerton Castle ''Schools and Masters of the Fence: From the Middle Ages to the Eighteenth Century' p.225 says 'Only a few of our warriors, who have had practical experience in combat 'á l'arme blanche' against Asiatic swordsmen, take any special interest in their side arm, and they often solve the difficulty by inserting an authentic blade some three hundred years old, signed 'Sahagum' or 'Ferrara', into a modern regulation hilt. [MJD 30/03/2015]

According to the British History Online article on Jesus College 'In 1906–8 the Ship St. buildings and the Leoline Jenkins Laboratories were built. The laboratories were formally opened on 23 June 1908, although they had been in use for the greater part of the academic year 1907–8.'. 'Jesus College', in A History of the County of Oxford: Volume 3, the University of Oxford, ed. H E Salter and Mary D Lobel (London, 1954), pp. 264-279 http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/oxon/vol3/pp264-279 [accessed 31 March 2015]. [MJD 31/03/2015]

Search terms: Weapon, Writing, Sword, Inscription

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