6th-7th century AD. An iron sousser long-sword in its scabbard (wooden and silver traces visible to the blade's surface); the blade slender and long (87cm tip to grip), two-edged and parallel-sided, lentoid in section with small rounded tip; two sheet-silver rectangular sleeves at the mouth and mid-point, each with rolled edges and a separate P-shaped lateral panel with suspension fitting for attachment to the sword belt (goti) and raised 'feather' pattern to the outer face; gusseted lower guard with rolled edges; tubular grip in two sections with similar feather pattern, one scooped edge with finger-grip recess; chevron pommel with attached upper panel. Cf. Khorasani, M.M. Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, item 65. 951 grams, 101cm (39 3/4"). From the collection of a North London gentleman; acquired in the 1980s. Accompanied by a positive metallurgic analytical report, written by Metallurgist Dr. Brian Gilmour of the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, University of Oxford. The use of feather pattern panels is associated by Khorasani (citing Overlaet and others) with the 6th-7th century. Fine condition, some restoration. Rare.