Walter Allen was an English swordsmith active during the mid to late 17th century, best known for his association with the London Cutlers’ Company and the production of military blades during a period of civil unrest and shifting royal power. His surviving work reflects both the craftsmanship expected of a master cutler and the demands of England’s evolving military and civilian market.
Background and Training
Walter Allen was a member of the Worshipful Company of Cutlers in London, a guild that regulated the trade of bladed weapons and tools. Guild records show that Allen was active between the 1640s and the 1680s, a period that spanned the English Civil War, the Interregnum, and the Restoration. This era saw significant changes in weapon design, distribution, and usage.
It is likely that Allen underwent a traditional apprenticeship before being granted freedom of the company. His name appears on several surviving blades and on a few recorded contracts for the supply of swords to both parliamentary and royalist forces, suggesting a neutral or pragmatic business approach during the conflict.
Style and Characteristics
Walter Allen’s swords typically bear his signature or initials either on the ricasso or the blade’s fuller. Markings often include:
- “W A” flanking a cross or other punch symbol
- A crowned mark, which may indicate royal supply or simply a quality mark
- Occasionally, the full name “Walter Allen” etched or stamped
His swords were usually basket-hilted broadswords and mortuary swords, common to English cavalry and officers during the Civil War. Mortuary hilts, with their distinctive half-basket design and engraved guard panels, are particularly associated with Parliamentarian officers but were also used widely into the Restoration.
Blades attributed to Allen show a mix of local and imported steel, often with German-style fullering and decoration, which was common in London at the time due to the blade-importing trade from Solingen.
Known Surviving Works
Several examples of Allen’s swords are held in British and European collections. Notable examples include:
- A mortuary sword bearing “W A” and a cross on the ricasso, housed in the Royal Armouries, Leeds
- A cavalry broadsword with a basket hilt, engraved “Walter Allen”, held in a private collection and featured in Oakeshott’s work on English sword types
- Blades in the Wallace Collection and other national holdings attributed by mark, although not all are definitively confirmed
His work shows clear attention to balance, blade geometry, and practical use, but also includes flourishes and engravings expected of presentation or officer swords.
Historical Context
Allen operated during a highly militarised period in English history. The Civil War (1642–1651), the Cromwellian campaigns in Ireland and Scotland, and later, the standing army of Charles II meant demand for swords remained constant. Smiths like Allen adapted their output accordingly, producing weapons for both combat and ceremonial purposes.
As the trade became more centralised and regulated by the Ordnance Office, swordsmiths in London increasingly relied on imported blades fitted with local hilts. Allen’s ability to maintain a name for quality amidst these changes suggests a high level of regard within the trade.
Contemporary Mentions and Quotes
Although no personal writings by Allen are known, he appears in period guild documents and inventory ledgers. A 1651 Cutlers’ Company account book includes this line:
“Payment to Mr. Walter Allen for four dozen good blades, serviceable and tempered, with his mark.”
A 1665 inventory of Tower of London arms includes:
“2 swords of good length, wrought basket, maker Allen, London.”
These records reflect both his reputation and reach.
Legacy
While not as widely recognised as European makers such as Passau or Solingen smiths, Walter Allen represents the best of 17th-century English swordmaking. His work bridges the gap between war production and artisan tradition, offering insight into how bladesmiths responded to the demands of politics, warfare, and market forces.
Collectors prize his swords for their historical context and craftsmanship. Examples bearing his full name are especially valuable due to the relative rarity of full-name inscriptions on English-made blades from this period.
Where to See Walter Allen Swords
- Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds – Several mortuary and cavalry swords attributed to Allen.
- Wallace Collection, London – Has examples marked with “W A” in its 17th-century collection.
- National Army Museum, London – Occasionally features examples on rotation.
- Private Collections – Some of the finest Allen-marked blades are known in private hands, and occasionally appear at auctions through Bonhams or Thomas Del Mar.
Auction and Collector Interest
Blades attributed to Walter Allen, especially mortuary swords in good condition, typically sell between £3,000 and £10,000 depending on provenance, completeness, and inscription clarity. Presentation swords or blades with full-name markings fetch higher prices.
The Seven Swords takeaway
Walter Allen remains a significant name in English swordmaking history, not only for the quality of his blades but for what they represent: a time when war, politics, and craft were tightly interwoven. His surviving swords continue to be studied, admired, and collected as examples of one of England’s most turbulent and influential periods in arms production.
