Orcrist's owner

[Galin]

Rumil posted: Another intriguing possibility is Pengolodh the loremaster, who did escape Gondolin (and might be a version of Penlod?).

Internally to the Book of Lost Tales at least, if I recall correctly Penlod was slain.

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

While the argument for Ecthelion is strong, the notion of it being Tuor's brings to mind a potentially interesting lineage. What if Tuor, having come by it among Turgon's gear, gave it to Eärendil, who took it with him into the west and used it in his big battle during the War of Wrath? That would be a notable deed, and I could easily see the Valar making sure it was left behind somewhere, knowing it had a destiny in Middle-earth.

Ultimately, though, I think it would have belonged to someone who perished in Gondolin, as both swords were found together and probably got passed along that way. I've long felt that the orcs and other nasties who preserved them did so because of conflicting feelings of fear and greed, wanting to have such precious things, but also wanting to keep them out of circulation. Ecthelion was probably the most famous sword-wielder other than Turgon who died in Gondolin itself, so I think it likely that he was the owner.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Ibrîniðilpathânezel

While the argument for Ecthelion is strong, the notion of it being Tuor's brings to mind a potentially interesting lineage. What if Tuor, having come by it among Turgon's gear, gave it to Eärendil, who took it with him into the west and used it in his big battle during the War of Wrath? That would be a notable deed, and I could easily see the Valar making sure it was left behind somewhere, knowing it had a destiny in Middle-earth.

That'd be a really interesting idea, but I think it would be actually more logical for Valar to keep such a sword "out of circulation" and thus, this weapon would remain with Eärendil in his sky-ship forever: that's how it goes with everything that "passes on" to the West. Of course, we have the case of Elessar - dubious case, anyway, with conflicting versions of account - which possibly might have returned, but usually all transfers are just one-way. In any case, we know about Eärendil wielding a sword,

Originally Posted by FotR, Many Meetings

his scabbard of chalcedony;
his sword of steel was valiant

but somehow, the idea of Bilbo, after finishing his song, saying "And this, my dears, was a sword which me and my companions found in one stinky troll-hole", does not really fit the picture... if you get my meaning.

I find the other part of what Ibri said rather more convincing and fitting my image of how things would likely go.

[Mithadan]

Just noticed this thread. I have always assumed that Orcrist was Ecthelion's blade, just as a matter of notoriety rather than deduction, though there are nice analyses here. I like ecthelion's discussion of why Orcrist would have been of great repute.

Tuor is likely out. You would assume he carried his blade with him, so it would not have been part of the spoils of Gondolin. Same applies to Glorfindel; that blade was likely lost or broken when he fell during his duel with the balrog, so it also would probably not have been part of the spoils of Gondolin.