It usually happens during a move, or when cleaning out an attic or a basement. You open an old, dusty trunk or a long-forgotten cardboard box, and there it is.
Heavy, cold steel. Perhaps a bit tarnished. Wrapped in an old cloth or sitting in a leather scabbard that has seen better days.
It’s your grandfather’s sword. Or maybe your great-uncle’s saber from World War II.
For a moment, you are struck by the weight of it—both the physical weight and the history it represents. But then, the practical questions set in. Is it safe to keep? Is it valuable? What in the world am I supposed to do with it?
For too many families, the answer is to wrap it back up and put it back in the dark. It feels too aggressive to hang on the wall, but too important to throw away. So, it stays hidden.
At Blades Raised, we believe that sword is a bridge to your family’s past. It doesn't belong in the dark. Here is how to "rescue" that piece of history and display it with the respect it deserves, without turning your living room into a museum.
1. The Challenge of the Heirloom
Unlike modern regulation swords, heirloom blades come in all shapes and sizes. A Civil War cavalry saber has a severe curve; a WWI naval officer’s sword is straight and narrow; a WWII Japanese bring-back (a common souvenir) is entirely different.
Finding a display case that fits these unique dimensions can be a nightmare. Standard store-bought hooks often look cheap or, worse, can scratch and damage the vintage metal.
This is exactly why we designed the Universal Sword Display.
2. A Home for History: The Universal Solution
Our Universal Display was engineered to solve the "heirloom problem." Its open-cradle design securely holds virtually any sword, saber, or cutlass, regardless of the curve of the blade or the width of the scabbard.
More importantly, it is designed to fit into a civilian home. We know you might not want a display that looks like it belongs in a VFW hall.
For the Modern Home: Choose our Natural Maple finish. It’s clean, bright, and turns the sword into a piece of art history.
For the Study or Den: Our Black Walnut finish offers a deep, rich tone that complements antique furniture and preserves the gravitas of the artifact.
Shop the Universal Sword Display
3. Preservation First: Do No Harm
Before you mount it, a word of caution: Be careful with cleaning.
The "patina" (the darkening of the metal or leather) is part of the sword's history. Aggressively polishing it with modern chemicals can actually devalue the item and strip away its character.
We recommend simply wiping it down with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust. Let the scratches and wear tell the story. Our displays use wood contact points to ensure no metal-on-metal scratching occurs while it hangs.
4. Telling the Story You Know
You might not know your grandfather’s exact rank or unit. That’s okay. You can still personalize the display to honor what you do know.
Our laser-engraved nameplates can be customized to tell the family story:
Sgt. William Miller
U.S. Army - WWII
The Miller Family Legacy
This simple addition transforms the object from "a sword we found" into "Grandpa Bill’s Service Sword."
Explore All of Our Sword Displays
5. A Connection for the Next Generation
The most beautiful thing about displaying an heirloom is the curiosity it sparks in younger generations. When your children or grandchildren see it on the wall, they ask questions. Who was he? Where did he go? Did he really carry that?
By taking that sword out of the attic and placing it on a handcrafted display, you aren't just decorating a wall. You are ensuring that his story—and your family’s history—is spoken about, remembered, and honored for years to come.
Don't let history hide in the dark. Bring it into the light.
- The Blades Raised Team
