SWORD

A complete cast copper alloy Holmegard / Kragehul type sword pommel, of Early Medieval dating (5th to 6th Centuries AD).
The sword pommel is sub boat-shaped with an enlarged trapezoidal central section, with two broad flutes between three double incised lines on both faces.

Both flanking 'arms' have upper edges, which curve gently downwards the terminal and have four double incised lines between four broad flutes on both faces that continue over the narrow upper edge.

The base is flat. There is a tapering vertical rectangular perforation for the missing tang (tapering upwards from 9.92 mm x 3.80 mm to 8.70 mm x 3.18 mm).

The pommel measures 63.19 mm in length, 12.00 mm in height and 10.07 mm thick. It weighs 17.4 grams.

The pommel is a mid to dark green colour, with an even surface patina.

A similar pommel, but with more obvious animal-head terminals, has been recorded on the PAS database as NMS-C48232. A less elaborately decorated example of a similar form is illustrated in Davidson (1962, Plate VI, 33c) with two animal heads flanking a central projection. The original is in E. Behmer 1939 (Das Zweischneidige Schwert der Germanischen Volkerwanderungszeit).

Menghin (1983, 64) says: 'Tierkopfendige Knäufe der Form Holmegard-Kragehul (Liste 1, 1d. 14-28) sind in der Masse ihres Vorkommens an skandinavische Fundorte gebunden und kennzeichnen Behmers Typ V. Eines der wenigen kontinentalen, mit den skandinavischen Exemplaren vergleichbaren Beispiele stammt aus dem Brandgrab von Perlberg und gehört wohl dem frühen 5. Jahrhundert an, während der Schwertknauf aus Schretzheim Grab 301 (Liste 1, 1d. 27) mit Sicherheit in das 6. Jahrhundert zu datieren ist.' (Animal head-ended pommels of the form Holmegard-Kragehul are, in the mass of their occurrence in Scandinavian findspots, bound to and characterising Behmer's type V. One of the few continental examples comparable with the Scandinavian examples comes from the cremation grave from Perlberg and is early 5th century, while the sword pommel from Schretzheim 301 is datable with certainty to the 6th century.) Of Menghin's list, one comes from Sweden, two from Norway, eight from Denmark, two from Schleswig and two from further south in Germany (Perlberg and Schretzheim).

None of the four illustrated examples in Menghin (1983, 308) closely resemble the English finds. Another pommel of Holmegard-Kragehul type, different again, is known from Cambridgeshire, SF7865.

Menghin (1983, Das schwert im frühen mittelalter) says 'Animal-head-ended pommels of type Holmegard/Kragehul are [largely found?] deposited in Scandinavian find-spots and are designated as Behmer's type V. One of the rare continental examples, comparable with the Scandinavian examples, comes from the cremation grave from Perlberg and belongs really to the early 5th century, while the sword pommel from Schretzheim grave 301 can safely be dated in the 6th century.' p. 64 (translation and additional information H. Geake).