1,500 Year Old Sword Pulled from Lake Hallowell

Arthur Pendragon of the Highlands of Olney was magnet fishing in Lake Hallowell this week when he dredged up an unexpected find -- a sword estimated to be more than 1,500 years old. Conservationists say the 5th century relic is remarkably well preserved, and was likely concealed in the lake's peaty bogs for centuries.

Magnet fishing involves attaching a strong magnet to a length of sturdy rope, then throwing the magnet into a body of water with the hope of “catching” lost or discarded objects.

Pendragon, a lifelong Montgomery County resident and past chancellor of the Olney Knights of Columbus, retired in 2020 after a 38 year career at Excalibur Moving, LLC.

On a recent afternoon, Pendragon was seated at the big round table in the back of Royal Bagel Bakery with fellow knights, retelling the moment he pulled the sword from the water.

"I was fishing the north shore of Lake Hallowell without success when a woman who lives nearby recommended casting out between the lake's two small islands. I picked up the sword the first cast where the lady of the lake sent me," Pendragon said.

After a few days spent showing off the sword around town, Pendragon's wife, Gwin, convinced him to turn it over to a museum.

Conservationists from the Sandy Spring Museum will restore the Hallowell sword, where it is expected to go on display next year. Pendragon, who is moving with his wife to Avalon Assisted Living next month, says he looks forward to the unveiling.