 The pommel and the crossguard are made of silver . The core of the grip is a brass chest encasing the tang of the blade . It was probably made in the 19th century to replace an original organic core , which had decomposed . At the same time the tang was riveted to the top of the pommel . The head of the rivet , which is 0 @.@ 5 cm ( 0 @.@ 2 in ) in diameter , rests atop a rectangular washer measuring 1 @.@ 1 cm × 1 @.@ 4 cm ( 0 @.@ 43 in × 0 @.@ 55 in ) . 
