Beowulf brings back the hilt of the giant-made sword from Grendel’s mother’s lair. During the underwater fight, Beowulf finds a massive sword hanging in the cavern, apparently forged for giants. He uses it to kill Grendel’s mother, then discovers Grendel’s corpse deeper in the lair and cuts off the monster’s head.
The sword’s blade cannot survive Grendel’s poisonous, supernaturally hot blood. It melts away, leaving only the hilt. Beowulf carries that hilt, together with Grendel’s head, back to the surface and presents both objects to Hrothgar at Heorot. The hilt is decorated with ancient inscriptions that describe the Flood and God’s destruction of the giants, giving the discovery a broader mythic significance.
The object is sometimes confused with Beowulf’s own sword Hrunting, which Unferth lends him before the dive. Hrunting fails to wound Grendel’s mother, while the giant sword succeeds. The blade, sheath, pommel, and hilt are distinct sword parts, but only the hilt remains after the blade melts.