Summary

Acton, London.

C/U of mound of burning coals. A red hot sword is being heated in the middle of the coals. Mr Sydney Rouse is seen taking the sword out of the coals - he is the foreman of the "smithy" (blacksmiths). Narrator describes the sword as the "ancient symbol of adventure" going on to say "even in this atomic age, the art of sword making survives."

Various shots of swords being forged. They are shaped on an anvil and precision ground. Good C/Us of the sword being shaped on a grinding machine. The craftsman checks his work by eye. - nothing better for checking a straight edge. Narrator speaks of the 18th century swordsmith Henry Wilkinson and later generations of his works who produced swords for Royalty and national heroes like Nelson and Wellington.

M/S and C/U of the engraver at work - the design is etched into the sword by acid then a special acid resistant paint is applied. Engraver rubs off the paper backing of a stencil then paints the sword. Orders for these swords come in from all parts of the world. C/U of paint being washed off to reveal the design. M/S of a middle aged man and woman (foreman cutler Herbert McNab and the only woman working in the industry in 1955 Mrs May Fry). C/Us of the handle of the sword being assembled. It is a Claymore, bound for Canada.

Wilkinson Sword Museum. L/S of two men looking at a display of swords. A replica of the Stalingrad sword is taken off the wall and examined. C/U of ornate swords.

Featured workers in the smithy are: Sydney Rouse, Bill Ghost, Charles Webb, Mr Zbigniew Adamowicz, Herbet McNab and Mai Fryer. One of the men at the museum may be Mr James Clayton. Alternative spellings in paperwork McNabb and May.