View source for Pommel

A '''pommel''' is a counterweight added to the end of a [[sword]].  Predominately [[iron]] or [[steel]] but also of [[bronze]] and even precious [[metal]]s and crystal are known at various times.

Pommels might have incised or inlaid decorations but this is very rare after about the [[11th century]].

The equivalent end of a [[dagger]] might also be termed a pommel.

==Sword Pommel Shapes==
[[image:vikinghilts.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Replica Viking hilts showing cocked hat and lobed pommels.]]The shapes vary considerably. Some examples of types are mentioned below:
* tea cosy - a flat, semi circular pommel. [[Viking]] Age [[Europe]].
* lobed - three, five and seven lobes. [[Viking]] Age [[Europe]].
* cocked hat - pommel curves away from the [[hilt]] and opposite the bend of the [[crossguard]]. [[Viking]] Age [[Europe]].
* trilobite (three lobe) - very popular in [[10th century|10th]] and [[11th century]] [[Denmark|Danish]] [[sword]]s. This type extends to [[Spain]] at the same time
* brazil nut - sideways attached 'nut'. Appears at the end of the [[10th century]] and remains in use until well into the [[13th century]]. Some of these were made of [[bronze]]
* disc - flattish [[iron]] disc. Appears at the end of the [[10th century]] to be replaced by 'true' wheel pommels.
[[image:pommel.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Replica 15th arming sword with fishtail pommel.]]
* wheel - a thick disc shaped pommel (oftimes dished on the side)that replaced the flat disc in the [[12th century]] beginning in southern [[Europe]] possibly spreading with returning [[Crusades|Crusaders]]. Some of these were made of [[bronze]] or rock crystal.
* ball - solid ball. Appearing in the [[13th century]] and found in use beyond the [[17th century]]. 
* trefoil - three circular shapes. Appearing in the [[13th century]] but mainly gone by the end of the [[14th century|14th]]. 
* pear - shaped as such. [[15th century]]
* kite - shaped as such [[15th century]]
* fishtail - a stylised fish tail shape. [[15th century]]
* cylinder - a cylinder of [[steel]] or [[iron]] that might be tapered. Found on [[rapier]]s from the [[16th century|16th]] and [[17th century]].

[[category:weapon parts]]