(M. Rector, Ed. 8 . What kind of swords were used in medieval times? [49] Modern versions of the katana are sometimes made using non-traditional materials and methods. The 1410 manuscript by Fiore dei Liberi presents a variety of uses for the longsword. As plate armor became more common, swords became longer and acquired a leaner blade with an acute point for thrusting. The cutlass or curtal-axe also known as a falchion (French badelaire, braquemart,[54] coutelas,[55] malchus; Italian coltellaccio, storta; German messer,[56] dussack, malchus) is a broad-bladed curved hanger or long knife. Total Length: 1060mm; Blade Length: 790mm ; Hilt Length: 270mm ; Guard Width: 255mm ; Total Weight: 765g; View All Close. A longsword typically features a blade with a length of approximately 33 to 41 inches (85 to 110 cm). The German langes Schwert ("long sword") in 15th-century manuals did not necessarily denote a type of weapon, but the technique of fencing with both hands at the hilt. Like the German manuals, the weapon is most commonly depicted and taught with both hands on the hilt. [citation needed], The French pe btarde and the English bastard sword originate in the 15th or 16th century,[citation needed] originally having the general sense of "irregular sword or sword of uncertain origin". . They were in use during the 14th and 15th centuries. After the mid-14th century, sword blades became more sharply tapered toward the point, with diamond or hexagonal cross-sections to increase their rigidity for thrusting. 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. The half-swording technique was essential in armored combat, as most cutting and slashing blows will not cause enough damage to an iron or steel plate. Frontline Books. The medieval longsword could include the earlier grete war swords, hand-and-a-half or bastard swords, and estocs. The backsword reached its greatest use in the 17th and 18th century when many cavalry swords, such as the British 1796 Heavy Cavalry Sword, were of this form. [citation needed] It is thought to have appeared in France and spread quickly across the rest of Europe. On the contrary, the hand-and-a-half sword had a longer grip to allow it to be wielded with one or two hands, delivering a more powerful blow in one stroke if necessary. [14] Today, replicas have high-carbon steel blades, though the ones used in stage combat and reenactment have blunt edges. A term that was coined by Italian curators. The evolution of these swords and how they were used was a dynamic and vigorous interplay of weapons and armor development with the keenest minds of martial combat striving to define the new environment of plate armor and longsword. [citation needed]. By the 15th century, larger and heavier swords had been developed, including the 'Bastard' or 'Hand-and-a-half' sword. Its French name pe btarde implies a sword of uncertain origin or an irregular sword. [8] 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. The expression fechten mit dem langen schwert ("fencing with the long sword") in the German school of fencing denotes the style of fencing which uses both hands at the hilt; fechten mit dem kurzen schwert ("fencing with the short sword") is used in half-sword fighting, with one hand gripping the blade. Buy the medieval Albrecht Hand-and-a-Half Swords for $ 299.99. The distance between the hands obviously increases the leverage that combatant could exert on the weapon. Daggers were loot/spoils. Optimized for armored combat, their blades were steeply pointed, suggesting that their primary function was to pierce armor. The name bastard sword was first used in the 15th century, as far as we know. 1400-1430 On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 373. The hilt has a leather covered hardwood grip and forged hand guard. Dao are single-edged Chinese swords, primarily used for slashing and chopping. The bastard sword also had a long thin long blade that tapered into a point. germ. [10] It is also used as a possible gloss of the obscure term tonsword by Nares (1822);[11] "one-handed sword" is somewhat later, recorded from c. 1850. A bastard sword or hand-and-a-halfer[1] are swords which fall between the longsword or broadsword and the two-handed greatsword in size. Contemporary use of "long-sword" or "longsword" only resurfaced in the 2000s in the context of reconstruction of the German school of fencing, translating the German langes schwert. George Silver[31] and Joseph Swetnam) is a single-handed "cut-and-thrust" sword with a 1.2-meter-long (4ft) blade[22] similar to the long rapier. The German school of swordsmanship includes the earliest known longsword Fechtbuch, a manual from approximately 1389, known as GNM 3227a. However, a third type is a hand-and-a-half sword. 8 gp. [19], What is known of combat with the longsword comes from artistic depictions of battle from manuscripts and the Fechtbcher of Medieval and Renaissance Masters. Ewart Oakeshott classified medieval swords into types, focusing on their blade type, pommel, and crossguard designs. Sword 5 - 15th Century Hand and a Half Sword. A rapier (/ r e p i r /) or espada ropera is a type of sword with a slender and sharply-pointed two-edged blade that was popular in Western Europe, both for civilian use (dueling and self-defense) and as a military side arm, throughout the 16th and 17th centuries.. 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. [5]:130 These all seem to have originated in Bavaria and in Switzerland. These blades are strongly tapered, more narrow and slender even than the single-handed type XV variant, with a flattened diamond cross-section. German Bastard or Hand-And -A-Half Sword, early 16th century with long slender tapering double-edged blade of flattened diamond section, hilt comprising arched quillons with swelling tips of flat triangular section, side-ring en suite and with fluted tips where they join the quillons, and inner bar of circular section bent down and made in one with the downcurved arm, associated fluted fig . Hand-and-a-Half Style Hilt Padded Leather Grip Tapered Blade for Slashing or Thrusting Now Available in Standard or Fully Tempered Carbon Steel Blade Full Tang Models on Sale To Order Model No. Hand and a half swords is a modern term to describe bastard swords but it is used in reference to long swords. The Warspike combines the length of a long arming sword, the hilt of a small hand-and-a-half, and just a hint of a "tuck" thrusting blade. The weapon may be held with one hand during disarmament or grappling techniques. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. So, what exactly is a hand-and-a-half sword? A longsword is, obviously, longer than a shortsword. The sword is made of carbon steel with a Rockwell hardness of HRC 54 ? These swords have long cruciform hilts with grips over 10 to 15 inches in length, which provide room for two hands. In a depiction of a duel, individuals may be seen wielding sharply pointed longswords in one hand, leaving the other hand open to manipulate the large dueling shield. Most swords are intended for use either one or two hands. These swords have a point of balance at 5 inches and a point of harmonics at 21 inches. Overall lenght 118,5 cm - Wheight 1300 g. 5152 . These are double-edged, usually straight bladed swords, designed for optimized balance, reach and versatility. In medieval fight books, the crossguard and pommel can be used for striking. [2] Navigation menu . This type of sword had a thickened back to the blade (opposite the cutting edge), which gave the blade strength. Later on, the thrusting rapier gained favor as a civilian dueling weapon. There is no historical dictionary for the universal names, classification or terminology of swords; a sword was simply a double edged knife. [citation needed] The height of the small sword's popularity was between the mid-17th and late 18th century. Modern replica longswords cover many of these diverse types, though certainstyles are less well represented in the current market place. The hilts (handles) range from 8 to 16 inches long to provide room for gauntleted hands. It was not defined, as we do today, by specific lengths or forms. Early depictions of a sword in two hands show swords such as the A&A Hungarian Sword used to deliver these blows. Length: 115 cm Weight: 1.4 kg Acquisition and important dates Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1933-03-16) by Henderson, James Stewart Dating 13th/14th Century Circa 1250 CE - 1350 CE Note Properties. SBCM-MAS-RED The French pe btarde and the English "bastard sword" originate in the 15th or 16th century, originally in the general sense of "irregular sword, sword of uncertain origin", but by the mid-16th century could refer to exceptionally large swords. Similarly, strong strikes could cut through skin and bone, effectively amputating limbs. Price Availability* Description SBA-WARSPIKE $ 95 14 In Stock The Warspike: Knight Longsword Engrave this item for $20 . [3] The hand-and-a-half sword is particularly versatile in this regard. They are a sub-class . Rather, it's intended to be used with either one hand or both, depending on the user's preferences and the circumstances in which he or she is using it. A hand-and-a-half sword is a weapon either with a flat blade or with diamond or lenticular cross-section that's between 22 to 30 inches. Two-Hander Longsword DJ Combat Two-Hander Longsword (2 reviews) Write a Review SKU: DD-W-206 $110.00 Quantity: Description Specifications Made from polypropylene. 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. Jian (simplified Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: jin; Cantonese: gim) is a double-edged straight sword used during the last 2,500 years in China. The term hand and . The Italian school of swordsmanship was the other primary school of longsword use. The fighter could attempt to hit the opponent in the face using the pommel when wrestling with the sword, disarm, or throw him. Type XVII is a shorter-lived type, popular during the mid-14th to early 15th century. Hand-and-a-Half (44) Length. However they mainly saw prominence outside the battlefield as a duelling weapon. [17]:1516 The blade was generally used with both hands on the hilt, one resting close to or on the pommel. . The term "hand-and-a-half sword" refers to a sword with a moderate-length blade that can be used with either one hand or two. You've landed on the new (soon to be released) website for Arms & Armor. The waisted grip, featuring a wider center tapering toward the pommel, allowed better control of the weapon. The grip was somewhat larger than the grip of a one-handed sword so that . Ewart Oakeshott distinguishes twelve different types. There is a wide assortment of Kris swords styles to choose from as each island, region, clan, or school has its own favorite with some putting more emphasis on cutting while others favor styles more conducive for thrusting. The hand-and-a-half sword had a longer reach than the so-called short sword, the earlier arming sword, making it significant for a mounted knight fighting against other cavalry and foot soldiers. [citation needed] The two handed claymore is an early Scottish version of a greatsword. Answer (1 of 2): I'll apologize be as I'm long-winded and cover a lot of ground. 4.14-3.1 cm, then sharp point. Special Properties None Base Damage: 1d10 Base Critical Threat: 19-20/x2 Base Damage Type: Slashing Weapon Size: Medium Feats Required: Exotic Item Code: nw_wswbs001 Return to Top Bastard Sword +1 They represent an optimised compromise between thrusting capability and retaining good cutting characteristics. This manual, unfortunately for modern scholars, was written in obscure verse. Its blade range from 33 to 41 inches in length. Most feel they were blades that could be used either one or two handed (much like the longsword pictured), and sometimes the term hand and a half sword is also used interchangeably. With the Irish Hand and Half Sword, you swiftly break through the enemy lines and claim victory for your army this morn. Still, some sources show them used with bucklers or spiked shields in judicial duels, though the latter was unusual. Pen & Sword Books Limited. At only 7 inches long, the guard appears a bit small for a sword of this size, but again, it's true to the original design. Hand-and-a half varieties typically have a blade length between 30 and 34 inches and weigh between 2 and 4 pounds. Equipped with a long grip, the hand-and-a-half sword was suitable for use with one or even both hands if one wished to give extra force to a blow. This 15th Century Hand and a Half Sword is a surprisingly agile sword for its size with a total weight of only about 3 lbs - this ensures the sword is swift on the strike and a fine sword for drills and use. Hand-and-a-half swords have special half-grips that can be used with either one or both hands. They have a flattened diamond cross-section, often with pronounced mid-rib, some being hollow-ground. It was a specialist weapon wielded by certain Landsknechte (mercenary soldiers), so-called Doppelsldners. This is especially the case for weapons from antiquity, made before the development of high quality steel that is necessary for longer swords, in particular: Oversized two-handers used as parade swords or ceremonial weapons often exceeded the length and weight of practical weapons of war. 30-40 Inches (3) 40-50 Inches (21) 50-60 Inches (2) Product Includes. [24] The pe de passot was the sidearm of the franc-archers (French or Breton bowmen of the 15th and 16th centuries). The bastard sword had a two-edged blade that tapered into a point and weighed around 5-8 pounds, it was usually around 40 to 48 inches in length. Dorling Kindersley Publishing Staff. Its length is 118,5 cm with a blade of 89,5 cm and it weighs 2150 g. The grip gives the sword a unique character. All parts of the sword are used for offensive purposes, including the pommel and crossguard. 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. The most common form is also known as the Chinese sabre, although those with wider blades are sometimes referred to as Chinese broadswords. Made from 5160 high-carbon steel, this functional sword has a double-edge blade. COLD STEEL HAND AND A HALF SWORD DEADLIEST WEAPONS One of Lynn's favorites.Hand-And-A-Half Sword. On the other hand, the term hand-and-a-half tends to describe later types of longswords with sharply tapering blades and specially shaped grips widely used in the 15th and 16th centuries. $225.00. These swords were what we today call a "Hand and a Half" sword, or rather swords that can be utilized for either one-handed or two-handed use. This sword tends to have a guard that is slightly loose. Two-handed swords, on the other hand, are long and heavy, making them particularly effective at dealing critical blows. 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. Lengths usually ranged from 110 cm to 150 cm, with 120 to 125 cm probably being the median. Blofechten (blosz fechten) or "bare fighting" is the technique of fighting without significant protective armour such as plate or mail. Their handles have recognizable waist and bottle shapes which give a comfortable hold of the weapon. Some of the earliest swords seemingly designed for two handed use are the "Grete Swords of War" of the 13thC. The blade length is about 70 to 80 cm (28-32 inches). Many different swords fall into this category and many of them are as maneuverable as they are surprisingly sturdy. The blade is 79cm in length and constructed from a rugged 1060 spring steel and through . [citation needed], The tuck may also get its name from the verb "to tuck" which means "to shorten". 2023, Arms & Armor However, they had various hilt and guard forms depending on their origin. Some historians believe that it was primarily used in war and not an everyday weapon of the knight. Historical terms (15th to 16th century) for this type of sword included the Italian spada longa (lunga) and French pe longue. Type XVIIIc blades are somewhat broader and shorter (about 85cm), and sometimes have a short and narrow fuller. This increased the accuracy and strength of thrusts and provided more leverage for Ringen am Schwert or "wrestling at/with the sword". Glamdring (also called the Foe-hammer and the Beater) was a hand-and-a-half sword, forged for Turgon, the Elven King of Gondolin during the First Age, and much later owned by the wizard Gandalf . The hand and a half blade is used for thrusting and the length of the blade is not any longer than the long sword. While slashing attacks were still moderately effective against infantry wearing half-plate armour, cutting and slicing attacks against an opponent wearing plate armour were almost entirely ineffective in providing any sort of slashing wound as the sword simply could not cut through the steel, although a combatant could aim for the chinks in a suit of armour, sometimes to great effect. Fully functional medieval battle ready sword. Jun 13, 2018. Top is some kind of dress sword, bottom is cavalry saber? [59][60] The scimitar proper was the Stradioti saber,[61][62] and the term was introduced into France by Philippe de Commines (1447 18 October 1511) as cimeterre,[63] Italy (especially the Venetian Republic who hired the stradioti as mercenaries) as scimitarra, and England as cimeter or scimitar via the French and Italian terms. The hand-and-a-half sword also belongs to Oakeshott types XVIa, XVII, and XVIIIa. The top hand would push, and the bottom hand would pull; this gave extra leverage thus the sword would be easier to swing, ignoring much of its weight. Non-sharpened. "[20] Espe bastarde could also historically refer to a single-handed sword with a fairly long blade compared to other short swords. It remains identifiable as a type during the period of about 1350 to 1550. (2012). 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. The Oakeshott Type XVa is among the most common types of hand-and-a-half swords displayed in museums, including the Black Prince Sword, believed to be wielded by Edward, Prince of Wales. The blade measured around 1 metre (40 inches), the grip averaged 15-23 cm (6-9 inches). Traditional vs Modern Differential Hardening for Swords. Their specially shaped grips, usually bottle-shaped or waisted, gave better control and hold of the weapon. 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. [44], The "tuck" (French estoc, Italian stocco)[citation needed] is an edgeless blade of square or triangular cross-section used for thrusting. A tradition of teaching based on this has survived in contemporary French and Italian stick fighting.[24]. [30] However, George Silver and Joseph Swetnam refer to them merely as "two hande sworde". Expand Favorite View PDF Fencing longsword ("hand-and-a-half" sword) Culture German Datelate 1500s Mediumsteel, wood and leather DimensionsOverall length: 141.5 cm (55 3/4 in.) The hand-and-a-half sword was a balanced weapon that enabled one to use it with one or both hands. Blade: 5160 High Carbon Steel. In HEMA, the term longsword refers to all swords with grips long enough to accommodate two hands yet lightweight enough to wield in one hand. When wielded two-handed, they become brutally effective slashing or chopping weapons. In the years to follow, however, the sword later became known as a "bastard sword." They possess an elongated grip which can easily accommodate both hands but they are generally well balanced enough to be wielded in one hand. [27][28][29][self-published source? Leadingthe research, replication and understanding ofarms and armor for over 37 years, creating exceptional items for those who appreciate history and its material culture. Sword Mounting Hand-and-a-half swords can be used with one or both hands as needed in combat. Type XVIIIb blades are slender, comparable to XVa blades but longer, measuring between 90 and 107cm, with a correspondingly longer grip, often waisted for comfortable two-handed use. The Archaeology of Weapons: Arms and Armour from Prehistory to the Age of Chivalry, Fighting: Teaching the Foundations of Sigmund Ringecks Style, A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration, and Use of Arms and Armor in All Countries and in All Times: Together with Some Closely Related Subjects, Medieval Combat: A Fifteenth-Century Manual of Swordfighting and Close-Quarter Combat. Functionally, swords become more maneuverable, powerful, and fast when the handle is gripped with two hands. Some of these terms originate contemporaneously with the weapons which they describe. "arming sword", "broadsword", "long sword", etc.) 3 European single handed sword. Tweet Share Google+ Pinterest . Fully functional medieval battle ready sword. The weight of an average sword of 70-centimeter (28-inch) blade-length would be in a range of approximately .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}700 to 900 grams (1+12 to 2 pounds). The hand-and-a-half sword had a size between a one-handed sword and a two-handed sword. 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 . On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. It was coined by modern collectors in the 19th century to refer to how the weapon is wielded. Grip: hand-and-half to two hand length, 6" to 10" Average Weight: Primary purpose: cutting Period: Great Sword or War Sword, in use from middle of the 13th c to the latter half of the 14th Sub-Type XIIIb Profile: broad, flat and parallel edges Cross-section: lenticular Average Blade Length: 35" Includes a leather belt frog and scabbard with belt stop. One-handed swords are shorter and lighter, but they allow the user to wield a second weapon or shield. The blade could be the same length as a single-hand sword but the tang and the grip . Regardless, the sword's defining characteristics remain the same: it can be used with either one hand or both hands. Another technique would be the Mordstreich (lit. Peso g 1400 . Hand-and-a-Half Sword. [citation needed] The small sword was the immediate predecessor of the pe de Combat from which the pe developed[45] and its method of useas typified in the works of such authors as Sieur de Liancour, Domenico Angelo, Monsieur J. Olivier, and Monsieur L'Abbatdeveloped into the techniques of the French classical school of fencing. SBA-WARSPIKE-T $158 Out of Stock By the late 16th century, early forms of the developed-hilt appear on this type of sword. Beginning about 1520, the Swiss sabre (schnepf) in Switzerland began to replace the straight longsword, inheriting its hilt types, and the longsword had fallen out of use in Switzerland by 1550. This balance made the hand-and-a-half sword a formidable weapon, as it was light enough to easily maneuver yet still heavy enough to inflict serious damage when wielded by a skilled swordsman. These blades are long, slender and acutely tapering, approaching the outline of type XVa, while still retaining a narrow hexagonal cross-section and a shallow fuller running along about one quarter of the blade. The Scottish name "claymore" (Scottish Gaelic: claidheamh mr, lit. [8][9][10] Prior to this the term "long sword" merely referred to any sword with a long blade; 'long' being simply an adjective rather than a classification. It was the typical knights sword of the 15th century designed for thrusting against vulnerable points in plate armor. Advantages of Hand-and-a-Half Swords [53] The term 'falchion' may also refer to the early cutlass. A sword called by these names would most likely have a blade length of 33 to 40+ inches and a grip and pommel that one can get both hands placed comfortably upon. Rather than restricting its use to either one or two hands, it allows for both types of wielding. [40][41][42] Early models were either two-handers or "hand-and-a-half" hilted,[43] while later 16th and 17th century models (also known as koncerz) were one-handed and used by cavalry. Weight 1700 g. 5144. It could also be used one-handed against lightly armored archers from horseback and two-handed for thrusting attacks against heavily armored opponents. The term hand-and-a-half is more of modern designation for a range of sword types that featured tapered blades longer than the common shorter arming swords of the time but without the double-hand grips of larger heavier war-swords. (J. L. Forgeng, Trans.). Weapon: A Visual History of Arms and Armor, Williams, G. (2014). It's typically used as an intermediate weapon for those learning how to use a real longsword. There is no historical Italian equivalent to the English word "rapier". The arming sword was paired with a small, round buckler shield on the left hand. 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]. It is uncertain whether the same term could still be used to other types of smaller swords, but antiquarian usage in the 19th century established the use of "bastard sword" as referring unambiguously to these large swords.