Falchion, original inlays, Paris, 14thC

Falchion, early 14th century, reverse-edge falchion Elmslie Type 2, based on original one from Musée de l'Armée in Paris, France. Dark brown grip, brass pommel.

Measurements:
total length 830mm
blade length 680mm
blade width 45/62mm
grip 98mm
crossguard 178mm
pommel 48x37mm
PoB 110mm (inside the inlayd circles)
weight 1190g
sharp

MYSTERIOUS MARKINGS ON THE BLADE

Reconstruction of a falchion from the Musée de l'Armée in Paris—the only complete example of this weapon. This time, for the first time, it has also recreated the original inlays on both sides of the blade, faithfully following the original falchion markings (form, size and material).

On the blade, on both sides, in the almost the same places, are two markings:

- A circle with four letters arranged alternately around a small central circles: T–C–T–C, inlaid in silver metal within a golden metal double circle.
- In the point area simplified sign in the form of a hand or, alternatively, a flame or torch.

Although repeated in a similar form, the two pages differ in the arrangement of letters and the details of handiwork.

A search of the scholarly literature on inlays on medieval sword blades confirms that abbreviated Latin invocations of this type are a well-documented phenomenon—formulas such as SDX ('Sanctus Dominus Christus') and IND ('In Nomine Domini') are known. However, the interpretation of these specific signs has not yet been analyzed. This is just my initial hypothesis.

The alternating arrangement of T–C–T–C indicates a shortened, twice-repeated invocation — as possible: Trinitas/Christus or Te Christe. The letter T also functioned independently in medieval epigraphy, as a stand-alone symbol of the cross (Tau), referencing the biblical protective symbol from the Book of Ezekiel. The repetition of the pair of letters in a circle, duplicated on both sides of the blade, indicates a structure closer to a prayer refrain than a single acronym—the circle, as a figure without beginning or end, harmonizes well with the idea of ​​a constantly repeated protective invocation.

The hand sign lower on the blade is consistent with the well-documented tradition of the Manus Dei motif—the Hand of God as a synecdoche of divine protection. An alternative hypothesis remains equally plausible: a simplified flame as a reference to God's fire punishing the weapon's wielder's enemies.

More about this type of falchion you can find here:
https://artofswordmaking.com/gallery/reverse-edge-falchions-of-type-2
https://artofswordmaking.com/gallery/falchion-t-2-sources

Available: 1600 Euro plus shipping.