Dating to the Merovingian period. Iron, with 8" blade plus the tang. Characteristic curved back and near straight cutting edge. Notable for its relatively thin section making it an effective slashing weapon and distinguishing it form knives used as tools. The Scramseax was used in conjunction with the axe, francisca. The charge was made with one in each hand and the axes were thrown in unison when affective range was achieved. The charge continued into the chaos caused by the axes followed by hand to hand combat in which the scramseax was the sole weapon of the Frankish warrior. A fine and rare example of that weapon.