Find Spot record 1440/0/13 - Bronze Age sword from Alderley Edge

Bronze Age sword found 1 Nov 1871 at Alderley Edge. Purchased in 1967 at a house sale in Alderley Edge. V-butted bronze sword with leaf-shaped blade and slotted flanged hilt. Total length reported between c. 611 and 631 mm (24 3/16 and 25 1/4 ins). 3 slots in hilt, with 4 rivets (1 is 20mm long, 3 are 17mm long). Both edges of blade are slightly hollow ground to give cutting edge. Attributed to Wilburton phase of Bronze Age. Bronze alloy comprises c. 85% copper, 8% tin, 5% lead with small amounts of arsenic, antimony, cobalt, nickel, iron & silver and trace elements of gold, zinc & bismuth. Sword known as 'Merlin's wand' because of where it was found (presumably near the Wizard) and is reported to have been used to celebrate Halloween on Alderley Edge. Complete and in good condition.

<1> Various, Written Communication to the HER, 4/23 Yarwood B N 1993 (Written Communication). SCH3756.

<2> Cheshire County Council, 1992-1995, Cheshire Past, Tindall A S 1995 (Newsletter). SCH870.