Sassanian Long Sword

[Jack Loomes]

Museum Number: 135158

Description: Iron sword with silver hilt and scabbard; originally suspended from the pair of R-shaped mounts.

Date6thC-7thC

Production placeMade in: Iran (?)(Asia,Middle East,Iran)

Excavated/Findspot: Iran, North West (said to be from)(Asia,Iran,North West Iran)

Materials: Silver, iron

Length: 108 centimetres

Width: 8.5 centimetres

Length: 93 centimetres (scabbard)

Curator's Comments: The back of the scabbard is shown here as the decoration on the front of the scabbard is similar to ANE 135739. Both were originally hung from straps attached to the R-shaped mounts. This type of sword suspension was introduced from Central Asia into Iran and China and was designed for easier use by cavalry.

Pinder-Wilson 1971a no. 114 bibliographic details

Exhibition history Exhibited:G52/IRAN/20/6, from official opening 17/11/95-12/12/05.G49/IRAN/20, 16 Jun-23 Dec 1994.Iranian Room [IR], Jul 1975-ca 1990.1971, BM, 'Royal Persia: a commemoration of Cyrus the Great and his successors on the occasion of the 2500th anniversary of the founding of the Persian Empire'

Purchased from: Saeed Motamed biography

Acquisition date: 1969

BM/Big number135158

Registration number 1969,0920.1

Source: www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=367443&partId=1&searchText=Sasanian+sword&page=1