A Very Fine And Rare English Backsword With ‘Mortuary’ Basket Hilt Circa 1645. 

34 and 1/2 inch wide backsword blade stamped with maker’s mark at forte. Blade with cabalistic half moons and “ANDREA FERRARA” with long wide fuller and clip point. A few minor chips and light wear, some old minor pitting.

The well executed basket hilt with relief chiseling of scrolls and a grotesque face on knuckle bar. Two helmeted mustachioed heads are chiseled in relief. Original bulbous pommel chiseled with scrolls. Original spirally fluted bog oak grip. Condition of hilt is fine for a “Mortuary” backsword as these were carried and used in the English Civil War by both sides but attributed to the Cavaliers.

The classification of these distinctly mid 17th century English backswords as “Mortuary” comes from the heads on many resembling the martyred English King Charles I executed 1649.

This is a far better than average example of this most desirable sword.