Rights Holder: The Portable Antiquities Scheme
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
SWORD BELT
Unique ID: HAMP-4F4E6C
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A copper alloy post-medieval sword belt fitting, a hooked plate that would have been one of three to hang from a larger mount and attached at its other end to a scabbard strap. It is missing its hook and measures 27.6mm in length, 17.4mm in width, 2.6mm in thickness and weighs 3.71g.
The plate is roughly triangular in shape and decorated with a symmetrical, elaborate scrolling foliate pattern with fronds to either side of a central stem, reaching into the trifoliate end. At the centre of this is a piercing now filled with iron corrosion.
The object has a dark green patina with purplish patches.
Such fittings are rarely found complete, rather elements or broken examples are far more common. An illustration of another complete sword-belt fitting can be found in Read (2001, 43; fig. 26, ref. 373) or NMS-C3D6AD on this database. Such fittings 'proliferate in the 16th and 17th centuries' (Geake 2001, 35). Their design and decoration are relatively standardised.
Notes:
This was recorded at a rally and may fall below our usual standard of recording
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1500
Date to: Circa AD 1700
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 27.6 mm
Width: 17.4 mm
Thickness: 2.6 mm
Weight: 3.71 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Saturday 19th March 2016 - Saturday 19th March 2016
Rally details.
This object was found at Andover Anton Rotary Club Charity Rally - Penton Grafton 19-20.3.16
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
Other reference: Penton Grafton 19.3.16; find no.250
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Hampshire (County)
District: Test Valley (District)
Parish or ward: Penton Grafton (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SU3147
Four figure Latitude: 51.22135945
Four figure longitude: -1.55749179
1:25K map: SU3147
1:10K map: SU34NW
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
Similar objects
Find number: HAMP-44E528
Object type: SWORD BELT
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
An incomplete post-medieval (1500-1700) copper alloy sword belt fitting, a hooked plate that would have been one of three to hang from a larg…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: HAMP-5BD490
Object type: STRAP FITTING
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
An incomplete early post-medieval (1500-1700) copper alloy sword belt fitting, a hooked plate that would have been one of three to hang from …
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: HAMP-70DC5F
Object type: STRAP FITTING
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
An incomplete early post-medieval (1500-1700) copper alloy sword belt fitting, a hooked plate that would have been one of three to hang from …
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618