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 . Traditional vs Modern Differential Hardening for Swords. 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 [5]:130 These all seem to have originated in Bavaria and in Switzerland. [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. 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. [44], The "tuck" (French estoc, Italian stocco)[citation needed] is an edgeless blade of square or triangular cross-section used for thrusting. However, the reduced weight near the tips made them less efficient for slashing. [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". Hans Talhoffer, a mid-15th-century German fightmaster, is probably the most prominent, using a wide variety of moves, most resulting in wrestling. Minneapolis Minnesota It was not defined, as we do today, by specific lengths or forms. Its blade range from 33 to 41 inches in length. All parts of the sword are used for offensive purposes, including the pommel and crossguard. Recommended Products Windlass Rustblocker Special Offer (Reg $24.95) [+$21.95] Flitz Care Kit Special Offer (Reg $26.95) [+$21.95] In stock BUY NOW OVERVIEW Sword Mounting Hand-and-a-half swords can be used with one or both hands as needed in combat. Includes Scabbard or Sheath (19) 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. Still, some sources show them used with bucklers or spiked shields in judicial duels, though the latter was unusual. $440. Most are leather covered with metal chape and throat. Grip Length: 7.5 inches; Overall Length: 46.5 inches; Blade thickness (base): 4.6 mm; Blade thickness (1" from tip): 3.0 mm; Guard Width: 10 inches; Perhaps. Their handles have recognizable waist and bottle shapes which give a comfortable hold of the weapon. On the other hand, the hand-and-a-half swords were often used alone. 15th Century. The hand-and-a-half sword falls somewhere in between the one-handed and two-handed weapons. 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. It was through students of Liechtenauer, like Sigmund Ringeck, who transcribed the work into more understandable prose[20] that the system became notably more codified and understandable. Landesbib. Quantity. 750-1050)-language text, Articles containing Russian-language text, Articles containing Hungarian-language text, Articles containing Ukrainian-language text, Articles containing Turkish-language text, Articles containing Persian-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 20 December 2022, at 11:53. In southern Germany, it persisted into the 1560s, but its use also declined during the second half of the 16th century. These are single-cutting edged, usually thick or curved construction bladed swords, typically designed for slashing, chopping, severing limbs, tripping or broad sweeping techniques; but were often very poorly designed for stabbing. From the late 15th century, however, it is also attested as being worn and used by unarmoured soldiers or mercenaries. 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. These techniques could be nearly instantly fatal or incapacitating, as a thrust to the skull, heart, or major blood vessel would cause massive trauma. Another technique would be the Mordstreich (lit. Two handed jians from the time of the Chu and Han Dynasty were up to 150cm (58in) long. 8 gp. As a history enthusiast, Abigail loves learning about the events that shaped the world. What kind of swords were used in medieval times? This increased the accuracy and strength of thrusts and provided more leverage for Ringen am Schwert or "wrestling at/with the sword". When wielded one-handed, they can be paired with a shield for extra defense. The Spartan version was typically only 3045 centimetres. [23] The manual also presents half-sword techniques as an integral part of armoured combat. Overall 39 inches. 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]. Tough, rigid and durable. The longsword was a quick, effective, and versatile weapon capable of deadly thrusts, slices, and cuts. In terms of blade typology, they do not form a single category. Type XVIIIc blades are somewhat broader and shorter (about 85cm), and sometimes have a short and narrow fuller. The term "broadsword" was never used historically to describe the one-handed arming sword. As plate armor became more common, swords became longer and acquired a leaner blade with an acute point for thrusting. Rather than restricting its use to either one or two hands, it allows for both types of wielding. Add to cart. [21] Others provided similar work, some with a wide array of images to accompany the text.[22]. [14] 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. 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.) [4] Some of these terms originate contemporaneously with the weapons which they describe. [26] Instead, the energy of the cut becomes essentially pure concussive energy. You've landed on the new (soon to be released) website for Arms & Armor. These terms were often described in relation to other unrelated weapons, without regard to their intended use and fighting style. The earliest forms of these are oversized examples of the single handed swords would be hard to distinguish as a separate group. Venezia, fine secolo XV. 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. avg. The hand-and-a-half swords had straight, double-edged blades. 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. 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). Its handle featured a waisted shape, tapering towards shorter, thinner half-grips. [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. 3 Reviews; 3 Reviews. The medieval longsword could include the earlier grete war swords, hand-and-a-half or bastard swords, and estocs. [citation needed] In French, estoc also means thrust or point; and estoc et taille means cut and thrust. Important sources for rapier fencing include the Italian Bolognese group, with early representatives such as Antonio . The evolution of the large swords of war into the Knightly longsword can first be seen as a distinct group in the swords of Oakeshotts Type XIIa and XIIIa. 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. Leather / Wood Scabbard with Steel Fittings. (2012). 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 . Ewart Oakeshott distinguishes twelve different types. 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. Regardless, the sword's defining characteristics remain the same: it can be used with either one hand or both hands. Over the next several centuries blade shapes varied but we see these swords in two hands being used across the Europe. The point would be to hold the grip with one hand at the top of the grip, and one hand at the bottom. 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. $269.99 $211.98! Hand-and-a-half swords varied in their blade length, usually ranging from 88 to 100 centimeters (35 to 40 inches). . They possess an elongated grip which can easily accommodate both hands but they are generally well balanced enough to be wielded in one hand. Hand-and-a-half swords varied in their blade length, usually ranging from 88 to 100 centimeters (35 to 40 inches). Sponsored. The hand-and-a-half swords optimized the combination of reach, maneuverability, and weight. Others also had knuckle guards, particularly the Swiss style. The hilt has a leather covered hardwood grip and forged hand guard. Dual Tempered HRc 60 48-50 at the core Fittings : Mild Steel Blade Thickness: 1.34 mm Total Length: 45 . 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. Honshu Damascus Broadsword With Sheath - Damascus Steel Blade, TPR Handle, Stainless Steel Pommel - Length 43 1/2". These long-gripped weapons were ideal for thrusting at small gaps in armor when the typical slashing sword could not chop through it. Blade: 5160 High Carbon Steel. Among most Greek warriors, this weapon had an iron blade of about 60 centimetres. 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 blade measured around 1 metre (40 inches), the grip averaged 15-23 cm (6-9 inches). Lengths usually ranged from 110 cm to 150 cm, with 120 to 125 cm probably being the median. 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. The Spartiats were always armed with a xiphos as a secondary weapon. Length. The last known German manual to include longsword teaching was that of Jakob Sutor, published in 1612. If wielded in one hand, the hand-and-a-half sword functioned similarly to an arming sword, though its balance would be slightly different. To overcome this problem, swords began to be used primarily for thrusting. This technique combines the use of the sword with wrestling, providing opportunities to trip, disarm, break, or throw an opponent and place them in a less offensively and defensively capable position. The excellent balance and light weight make the Warspike an exceptional addition to any collection. Product details: Length: 115.6 cm / Blade length: 85.10 cm / Grip length: 30.5 cm / Blade width at guard: 5.1 cm / Weight: 1389 g / Steel type: 1056 carbon steel, hardness 52-54 HRC . The Military History Book: The Ultimate Visual Guide to the Weapons that Shaped the World, Cut and Thrust: European Swords and Swordsmanship, Knight: The Warrior and World of Chivalry, Medieval Armies and Weapons in Western Europe: An Illustrated History, The Art of Sword Combat: A 1568 German Treatise on Swordsmanship. The basket hilt is a development of the quillons added to swords' crossguards since the Late Middle Ages. Bastard Sword. The "longsword" type exists in a morphological continuum with . Apart from being a writer, she also dabbles in fashion modeling and acting. 4.14-3.1 cm, then sharp point. The term hand and . As with our single-hand broadswords above these weapons are custom made. The German langes schwert ("long sword") in 15th and 16th-century manuals does not denote a type of weapon, but the technique of fencing with both hands at the hilt, contrasting with kurzes schwert ("short sword") used of fencing with the same weapon, but with one hand gripping the blade (also known as a half-sword).[11][12]. In the UK, the swords were supposedly weapons of a long dead great grandfather in British Navy. 55413 United States. Historical terms (15th to 16th century) for this type of sword included the Italian spada longa (lunga) and French pe longue. [9] 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 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. The tang is peened onto the forged pommel. Hand and a half swords is a modern term to describe bastard swords but it is used in reference to long swords. Longsword, bastard sword, and hand-and-a-half sword are all names used to describe a variety of medieval European swords. Most long swords were double edged. The edgeless swords category comprises weapons which are related to or labelled as "swords" but do not emphasise hacking or slashing techniques or have any cutting edges whatsoever. Terminology was further complicated by terms introduced[1] or misinterpreted[2][3][4] in the 19th century by antiquarians and in 20th century pop culture,[5] and by the addition of new terms such as "great sword", "Zweihnder" (instead of Beidhnder), and "cut-and-thrust sword". ], Antiquarian usage in the 19th century established the use of "bastard sword" as referring unambiguously to these large swords. Handle Length. $349.99. . : 4 3/4" Grip Length: 6 7/8" Blade: [C60 High Carbon Steel] Manufacturer: Deepeeka Furthermore, there is a deprecation of the term "broadsword" by these associations. Black War Sword And Scabbard - High Carbon Steel Blade, Wooden Handle, Leather-Wrapped - Length 42". The 1410 manuscript by Fiore dei Liberi presents a variety of uses for the longsword. Like the German manuals, the weapon is most commonly depicted and taught with both hands on the hilt. The cross sections of the blades also varied a great deal. 20-30 Inches (1) 30-40 Inches (6) 40-50 Inches (35) 50-60 Inches (2 . The term "single-handed sword" (or "one-handed sword") is a retronym coined to disambiguate from "two-handed" or "hand-and-a-half" specimens. Powered by Shopify. Hand-and-a-half swords can be used with one or both hands as needed in combat. CAS Hanwei Hand-and-a-Half Sword SH2034 Brand: CAS Hanwei $40399 About this item Authentic replica of Museum Piece Fully functional Overall length: 44 1/2" Product Description The Hand-and-a-Half Sword is replicated from a sword thought to be that of Albrecht II of Austria and represents the pinnacle of beauty and balance in medieval swords. Type XVII is a shorter-lived type, popular during the mid-14th to early 15th century. 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. Of these, "bastard sword" is the oldest, its use being contemporaneous with the weapon's heyday. Most were better suited for thrusting, but others were also designed for more cutting. It's not technically intended to be used with one and a half hands that doesn't make sense. The term "hand-and-a-half" have originated due to the fact that the sword was designed for both one and two-handed use, not because one and a half hands are needed to wield it. Functionally, swords become more maneuverable, powerful, and fast when the handle is gripped with two hands. [citation needed] It is thought to have appeared in France and spread quickly across the rest of Europe. The falchion (French braquemart,[52] Spanish bracamarte) proper is a wide straight-bladed but curved edged hanger or long knife. The first Chinese sources that mention the jian date to the 7th century BC during the Spring and Autumn period;[18] one of the earliest specimens being the Sword of Goujian. Maximum Diameter: 4.2 cm (1 5/8 in.) 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. 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 . We see these depicted in art beginning in late antiquity and the early Middle Ages Miniature from Stuttgart Psalter, Ps 143, 10, showing David and Goliath. [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. This hand-and-a-half sword is based on several historical originals. Blade Length: 34 1/2" Handle Length: 11 1/2" Weight: 3 lb 8 oz Point of Balance: 3 1/2" Blade Steel: 5160 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. 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. Swordecyclopedia 2022 - All Rights Reserved, Medieval Swordsmanship: Illustrated Methods And Techniques, Medieval Military Technology, Second Edition. The increased defensive capability of a man clad in full plate armour caused the use of the sword to be drastically changed. Great swords or greatswords are related to the long swords of the Middle Ages. Also, the hand on the blade increases its rigidity which is advantageous when thrusting. "large/great sword")[16][17] can refer to either the longsword with a distinctive two-handed grip, or the basket-hilted sword. 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. 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. Hand-and-a-half swords have special half-grips that can be used with either one or both hands. Special, versatile (1d8) The middle ground between an arming sword and a longsword --sometimes called a "hand and a half sword"-- this blade's hilt is short enough to be used in one hand while also being long enough to warrant two hands if needed though it isn't as effective as a longsword . The term hand-and-a-half sword is often used interchangeably with longsword, although it is not entirely accurate. Handle Length. The longsword, greatsword and bastard-sword were also made in Spain, appearing relatively late, known as the espadon, the montante and bastarda or espada de mano y media respectively.