Broadsword of Oliver Cromwell

Gallery 349, Arms and Armor, third floor (Kretzschmar von Kienbusch Galleries)

Main Building

Broadsword of Oliver Cromwell

c. 1650

Artist/maker unknown, English

This is one of the finest surviving swords of a type favored during the English Civil War (1642-51). The long-standing association of this sword with English statesman Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) is consistent with the unusual inscription and heraldic arms of England and Ireland on the blade, and with the outstanding quality of the hilt's chiseled decoration.

Gallery 349, Arms and Armor, third floor (Kretzschmar von Kienbusch Galleries)

Object Details

Title:

Broadsword of Oliver Cromwell

Date:

c. 1650

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, English

Medium:

Iron alloy (steel), partially engraved; iron alloy (steel), chiseled; silver wire; wood

Dimensions:

Length (overall): 38 1/8 inches (96.8 cm) Blade: 32 1/2 × 1 15/16 inches (82.6 × 4.9 cm) Hilt: 5 1/16 × 4 5/8 inches (12.9 × 11.7 cm) Height (pommel): 2 1/8 inches (5.4 cm) Diameter (pommel): 1 5/16 inches (3.3 cm) Weight: 3.1 lb. (1405g)

Classification:

Arms and Armor

Credit Line:

Bequest of Carl Otto Kretzschmar von Kienbusch, 1977

Accession Number:

1977-167-620

Geography:

Made in England, Europe

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Gallery 349, Arms and Armor, third floor (Kretzschmar von Kienbusch Galleries)

Main Building

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