A SILVER mount dating back 300 years and thought to be part of a sword, has been found by a Newport man.

Michael Beirne was metal detecting near near Llanbadoc, Monmouthshire by the river Usk when he made his find.

Michael, aged 39, is studying Fabrication and Welding Engineering at Coleg Gwent City of Newport Campus.

Michael said: “I’ve been metal detecting for 15 years and this find has probably been my best one. I’d like to think that the sword, which the find may have been part of, belonged to a Welsh or English knight.”

Coleg Gwent Head of Estates, Alex Anderson said: “This is a really exciting find on Coleg Gwent land and we are pleased Michael followed the correct protocol in seeking permission for his metal detecting and registering his find with the Coroner and the National Museum of Wales.

“The Ordnance Survey map shows that this find was detected close to the assumed site of the 1405 Battle of Pwll Melyn, fought by Owain Glyndwr’s men, but it may have been lost at a later date. Perhaps one of our history students could carry out some research!”

Specialists say the concave curve across the width of the mount suggest that it once formed part of the grip of a sword and that it is only about half of the original mount.

The mount also appears to be have the inscription: “Nul si bien” (“None this good”).

It seems likely that the surviving fragment represents only 50% of the original length, which would leave room on the missing section for another short motto or a design/enamelled shields of arms.

The "late medieval silver inscribed mount" has been declared treasure by HM Coroner for Gwent.