Historical Context
Editorially reviewedThe crescent appears among other inlaid blade decoration on a sword dated c. 1250–1330. Its interpretation as a maker’s mark is plausible but explicitly uncertain in the museum record.
Provenance: British Museum sword 1858,1116.5, found near Lincoln in the River Witham, carries small inlaid crescents on both sides of the blade, described by the museum as possibly the maker’s mark.
Research status: reviewed · reviewed 31/08/2026
Sources
1 referenceSword, museum number 1858,1116.5
British Museum collection record for a sword found near Lincoln in the River Witham, dated c. 1250–1330. (The British Museum)
Supports: Records small inlaid crescents on both sides of the blade and describes them as possibly the maker’s mark.
How to cite this page
Witham Crescent Sword Maker's Mark. Sanctum Hex Vault. Reviewed 31/08/2026. https://vault.sanctumhex.com/symbols/premodern-european-merchants-and-makers-marks-documented-symbols-of-identity-ownership-and-craft-witham-crescent-sword-makers-mark
https://vault.sanctumhex.com/symbols/premodern-european-merchants-and-makers-marks-documented-symbols-of-identity-ownership-and-craft-witham-crescent-sword-makers-markMakers Marks
Witham Crescent Sword Maker's Mark
Crescent mark on a medieval sword from the River Witham, possibly a maker’s mark.
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