When wielded one-handed, they can be paired with a shield for extra defense. . With broad blade double-edged over half its length to the reinforced point and with pierced central fuller bordered by incised lines on each side and interrupted by small circular piercings, long ricasso in two stages with pierced and fluted fullers en suite . Modern replica longswords cover many of these diverse types, though certainstyles are less well represented in the current market place. After looking around, we'd appreciate 2 minutes of your timeto answer 3 short questions about your experience. [citation needed] The two handed claymore is an early Scottish version of a greatsword. germ. The idea for the spatha came from the swords of ancient Celts in Germany and Britain. Weight: 50oz Blade Thickness: 1/5" Blade Length: 33-1/2" Blade Steel: 1060 Carbon Handle Length/Material: 12" Overall Length: 45-1/2" Additional Features: Leather / Wood Scabbard with Steel Fittings. + $45.00 shipping. If wielded in one hand, the hand-and-a-half sword functioned similarly to an arming sword, though its balance would be slightly different. Similarly, strong strikes could cut through skin and bone, effectively amputating limbs. Handle Length. The intention of how to use the sword most likely dictated the way they were listed in inventories of the day. [21], Joseph Swetnam states that the bastard sword is midway in length between an arming sword and a long sword,[22] and Randall Cotgrave's definition seems to imply this, as well. Pal. The later hardened plate armours, complete with ridges and roping, posed a threat against the careless attacker. The blade measured around 1 metre (40 inches), the grip averaged 15-23 cm (6-9 inches). SPADA DI STOCCO. Regardless, the sword's defining characteristics remain the same: it can be used with either one hand or both hands. The hand-and-a-half sword had a size between a one-handed sword and a two-handed sword. All of these types can be classified in some of their forms as Longsword, Bastard Sword and Hand and a Half swords. Half-swording (German halbschwert) refers to the technique of gripping the middle of the blade with the left hand to better control the tip of the sword. [17]:plate 58 Some manuals even depict the cross as a hammer. They represent an optimised compromise between thrusting capability and retaining good cutting characteristics. GOTHIC HAND AND A HALF SWORD. Weight ranged from 1 to 1.5 kg. In Athenian art, Spartan hoplites were often depicted using a kopis instead of the xiphos, as the kopis was seen as a quintessential "villain" weapon in Greek eyes.[46]. 1101 Stinson Blvd. There is no historical dictionary for the universal names, classification or terminology of swords; a sword was simply a double edged knife. Swordecyclopedia 2022 - All Rights Reserved, Medieval Swordsmanship: Illustrated Methods And Techniques, Medieval Military Technology, Second Edition. Replicated from a sword thought to be that of Albrecht II of Austria, the Hand-and-a-Half Sword represents the pinnacle of beauty and balance in medieval swords. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Blade Length: 107.3 cm (42 1/4 in.) [44], The "tuck" (French estoc, Italian stocco)[citation needed] is an edgeless blade of square or triangular cross-section used for thrusting. 30-40 Inches (3) 40-50 Inches (21) 50-60 Inches (2) Product Includes. Hand and a half swords are basically the historically correct terminology for a long sword, it's a sword that can be two handed or one handed depending on your needs, it only weighs like a pound and a half so it's super easy to handle. The bastard sword also had a long thin long blade that tapered into a point. Type XVIa is the classical "longsword" of the 14th and 15th centuries. During the first half of the 20th century, the term "bastard sword" was used regularly to refer to this type of sword, while "long sword" or "long-sword", if used at all, referred to the rapier (in the context of Renaissance or Early Modern fencing).[9]. In terms of weight, a typical hand-and-a-half sword weighed roughly 2.4 to 4 pounds (1.1 to 1.8 kg). It remained in use as a weapon of war intended for wielders wearing full plate armour either on foot or on horseback, throughout the late medieval period. Sword Length: 42 5/8". With long tapering double-edged blade of flattened diamond section cut with two shallow fullers forming a low medial ridge over its entire length on each side, and incised with an indistinct crucifix mark on both sides towards the forte, long waisted ricasso with a pair of small pointed . These terms were often described in relation to other unrelated weapons, without regard to their intended use and fighting style. However they mainly saw prominence outside the battlefield as a duelling weapon. Like the German manuals, the weapon is most commonly depicted and taught with both hands on the hilt. In the early Middle Ages, swords were broad and heavy and used to hack through the mail. A longsword (also spelled as long sword or long-sword) is a type of European sword characterized as having a cruciform hilt with a grip for primarily two-handed use (around 15 to 30 cm or 6 to 12 in), a straight double-edged blade of around 80 to 110 cm (31 to 43 in), and weighing approximately 1 to 1.5 kg (2 lb 3 oz to 3 lb 5 oz).. But if that same warrior encountered an enemy on an open battlefield, he may switch to using two hands for greater strength and stopping power. When pike formations became common on battlefield tactics, ranged weapons proved more effective against pikemen, diminishing the advantages of hand-and-a-half swords. Their long grip increased their striking power and made some fighting techniques easier. The scimitar (French cimeterre, Italian scimitarra) is a type of saber that came to refer in general to any sabre used by the Turks or Ottomans (kilic), Persians (shamshir) and more specifically the Stradioti[58] (Albanian and Greek mercenaries who fought in the French-Italian Wars and were employed throughout Western Europe). There are two late examples of longswords kept in the Swiss National Museum, both with vertically grooved pommels and elaborately decorated with silver inlay, and both belonging to Swiss noblemen in French service during the late 16th and early 17th century, Gugelberg von Moos and Rudolf von Schauenstein. The majority of these elongated weapons were designed for agility, precision and rapid thrusting blows to exploit gaps in the enemy's defences; the major joints of the arms, the opening in a visor. Hand-and-a-half swords were carried in scabbards attached to waist belts, though some sources mention swords being carried in rings welded directly to the skirt of a harness. The term hand and . [49] Modern versions of the katana are sometimes made using non-traditional materials and methods. The backsword blade was cheaper to manufacture than a two-edged blade. The 34 inch blade on that tends to be like 2 inches wide and 6mm+ thick and tapering . Most were better suited for thrusting, but others were also designed for more cutting. [5]:130 These all seem to have originated in Bavaria and in Switzerland. Irish Hand and Half Sword - Irish hand and a half sword, a Legacy Arms/Generation 2 design, dating from around 1475 - 1525 A.D. Swords, Knives & Reenactment menu. The longsword as a late medieval type of sword emerges in the 14th century, as a military steel weapon of the earlier phase of the Hundred Years' War. Landesbib. The weapon may be held with one hand during disarmament or grappling techniques. Fine secolo XIV Lunghezza totale cm 108. [citation needed] The arming sword was wrongly labelled a broadsword by antiquarians as the medieval swords were similar in blade width to the military swords of the day (that were also sometimes labeled as broadswords) and broader than the dueling swords and ceremonial dress swords. SBCM-MAS-RED The fighter could attempt to hit the opponent in the face using the pommel when wrestling with the sword, disarm, or throw him. It was a specialist weapon wielded by certain Landsknechte (mercenary soldiers), so-called Doppelsldners. The steeply pointed blade, indicating that it was primarily intended . Type XVII is a shorter-lived type, popular during the mid-14th to early 15th century. Type XVa is the classical two-handed sword of the 14th and 15th centuries (with early examples appearing from the later 13th century). As an example, the Type XIX blade cross section are not as common as they seem to be in the surviving historical examples, and the tuck style blade is rarely seen at all in modern production and is often only done as a custom order. It was not defined, as we do today, by specific lengths or forms. 120-150 cm (47-59 in), blade length: avg. In China, the dao is considered one of the four traditional weapons, along with the gun (stick or staff), qiang (spear), and the jian (sword). Most longswords were made between the mid-14th century and the mid-16th century, and most of these measure approximately 120-150 cm overall (100-120 cm blade length) and weigh an average 1.5 kg. Type XVIIIc blades are somewhat broader and shorter (about 85cm), and sometimes have a short and narrow fuller. It was coined by modern collectors in the 19th century to refer to how the weapon is wielded. [21] Others provided similar work, some with a wide array of images to accompany the text.[22]. Ehhh, Xiphos were typically more of a shortsword, usually only about 24ish inches in length. The Scabbard All Hanwei western medieval swords come with a nicely made scabbard. There is no historical Italian equivalent to the English word "rapier". Here are the unique characteristics of hand-and-a-half swords: Historical hand-and-a-half sword blades were often made of a single piece of steel and were hardened by quenching. Venezia, fine secolo XV. The #034 Black Prince a Type XVa Longsword, Durer Bastard Sword #195 a Type XVIII Longsword. So, what exactly is a hand-and-a-half sword? Shes particularly interested in the rise and fall of empires, accounts of war and conquest, and ancient and classical history. The arming sword was paired with a small, round buckler shield on the left hand. This is very popular . You've landed on the new (soon to be released) website for Arms & Armor. Both schools declined in the late 16th century, with the later Italian masters forgoing the longsword and focusing primarily on rapier fencing. Bastard swords are also known as hand-and-a-half swords, falling between the longsword and greatsword in length. or example, 'longsword' is related to the German 'langshwert', and 'bastard sword' from the French 'pe btarde', Take the Survey (takes 2 minutes or less). Weapon: A Visual History of Arms and Armor, Williams, G. (2014). A longsword is, obviously, longer than a shortsword. A longsword (also spelled long sword, long-sword) is a type of European sword characterized as having a cruciform hilt with a grip for two handed use and a straight double-edged blade of around 100 to 122 cm (39 to 48 in . Their specially shaped grips, usually bottle-shaped or waisted, gave better control and hold of the weapon. Blofechten (blosz fechten) or "bare fighting" is the technique of fighting without significant protective armour such as plate or mail. Powered by Shopify. The basket-hilted sword is a sword type of the early modern era characterised by a basket-shaped guard that protects the hand. In the UK, the swords were supposedly weapons of a long dead great grandfather in British Navy. Tweet Share Google+ Pinterest . The Scottish Gaelic claidheamh mr means "great sword"; anglicised as claymore, it came to refer to a large Scottish type of longsword with a Vshaped crossguard. Would a sword with a long handle, but a shorter blade (like an arming sword) be a "bastard" neither being a one nor two handed sword? [27][28][29][self-published source? The names derive from words popular at different times and places. Dao are single-edged Chinese swords, primarily used for slashing and chopping. Non-sharpened. As its name suggests, it had an advantage in terms of greater reach over the so-called short sword or arming sword. Others also had hexagonal cross-sections that cut poorly towards the tip. Its French name pe btarde implies a sword of uncertain origin or an irregular sword. Longswords have straight, double-edged blades and are small enough to be drawn from the belt. However, a section on one-handed use is among the volume and demonstrates the techniques and advantages, such as sudden additional reach, of single-handed longsword play. Their defining characteristics is that they have three fullers, a shallow central fuller running along half the blade's length, with two shallow parallel fullers along the first quarter. A longsword (long sword) is any sword that is generally wielded with two hands. 4.14-3.1 cm, then sharp point. [17][18] Use of the longsword in attack was not limited only to use of the blade, however, as several Fechtbcher explain and depict use of the pommel and cross as offensive weapons. Hand-and-a-Half Sword. $225.00. The term "rapier" appeared in the English lexicon via the French pe rapire which either compared the weapon to a rasp or file; it may be a corruption of "rasping sword"[38] which referred to the sound the blade makes[39] when it comes into contact with another blade. We will never share your information with anybody else cross our hearts, hope to die, stick a sharp sword in our (ok, this just got a little silly). Some of the heavier normal size swords that I looked out were the single handed wide blade cut and thrust swords like the Munich town guard swords. . The tip of the sword blade is . Hand and a half swords is a modern term to describe bastard swords but it is used in reference to long swords. Includes Scabbard or Sheath (19) On the other hand, the hand-and-a-half swords were often used alone. Middle Ages Warrior Short Broadsword With Black Sheath - Double-Edged Sharp Blade - 22 1/2" Length. Specifications: Overall Length: 43" Blade Length: 33" Weight: 3 lbs Edge: Unsharpened Width: 4.7 mm - 3.6 mm Pommel: Nut P.O.B. A Rare All-Steel Left-Hand DaggerThird Quarter Of The 16th Century, Probably Spanish. . Regardless of what they are called these swords areall of a type that is iconic to the middle ages. The Spartan's shorter weapon proved deadly in the crush caused by colliding phalanx formations it was capable of being thrust through gaps in the enemy's shield wall and armour, where there was no room for longer weapons. As with our single-hand broadswords above these weapons are custom made. However, the reduced weight near the tips made them less efficient for slashing. 15th Century. The groin and throat were among the favourite targets. Leather / Wood Scabbard with Steel Fittings. [17]:1516 The blade was generally used with both hands on the hilt, one resting close to or on the pommel. It is ideal for HEMA study - recreating the longswords from Fiore, Talhoffer, etc. Quantity. The longsword is characterized not so much by a longer blade, but by a longer grip, which indicates a weapon designed for two-handed use. Total Length: 1060mm; Blade Length: 790mm ; Hilt Length: 270mm ; Guard Width: 255mm ; Total Weight: 765g; View All Close. Fully functional medieval battle ready sword. Also, the hand on the blade increases its rigidity which is advantageous when thrusting. A nonce attestation of "long-sword" in the sense of "heavy two-handed sword" is found in, Systematic use of the term only from 2001 beginning with, Oakeshott's Typology of the Medieval Sword A Summary, "Medieval and Renaissance Fencing Terminology", "Study of the Destructive Capabilities of the European Longsword", "The Two-Handed Great Sword Making lite of the issue of weight", "Oakeshott's Typology of the Medieval Sword: A Summary", Halflang and Tua Handit: Hand-and-a-Half and Two-Handed Scottish Swords, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Longsword&oldid=1141836737, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox weapon with unknown parameters, Articles containing Portuguese-language text, Articles containing Spanish-language text, Articles containing Italian-language text, Articles containing Scottish Gaelic-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Types XIIa and XIIIa represent the Great Sword or War Sword type used in the later 13th and in the 14th century.