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. 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. Agincourt War Sword - Functional European Swords at Reliks.com These are double-edged, usually straight bladed swords, designed for optimized balance, reach and versatility. 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 Bastard sword - A Wiki of Ice and Fire This probably represents the differing tastes of current sword buyers from those of the Middle Ages. Learn more about the history and use of the hand-and-a-half sword and how it compares to other medieval swords. 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. Some had broad parallel edges to those with acute tapers from the guard to a spike like point and many variations in between. Others also had knuckle guards, particularly the Swiss style. 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. All of these types can be classified in some of their forms as Longsword, Bastard Sword and Hand and a Half swords. 5060cm long and typically made of bronze or iron. First quarter of the 9th c. A.D. (Stuttgart: Wurt. . Hand Forged High Carbon Steel Excalibur Sword, Sharp/ Medieval Hunting It also allowed pommeling technique, in which the pommel is partially held in the palm of the other hand to execute more forceful thrusts into heavy armor. Therein the basics of combat were described and, in some cases, depicted. After looking around, we'd appreciate 2 minutes of your timeto answer 3 short questions about your experience. Blade Length: 34 1/2" Handle Length: 11 1/2" Weight: 3 lb 8 oz Point of Balance: 3 1/2" Blade Steel: 5160 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. Suitable for martial arts training, film props etc. [citation needed], The small sword or smallsword (also court sword or dress sword, French: pe de cour)[citation needed] is a light one-handed sword designed for thrusting[citation needed] which evolved out of the longer and heavier rapier of the late Renaissance. The earlier flatter blade types could not chop through plate armor, and its thin tip would only glance off instead of puncturing it. In terms of weight, a typical hand-and-a-half sword weighed roughly 2.4 to 4 pounds (1.1 to 1.8 kg). They represent an optimised compromise between thrusting capability and retaining good cutting characteristics. 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. The term "hand-and-a-half sword" is modern (late 19th century). Longsword | Military Wiki | Fandom Others also had hexagonal cross-sections that cut poorly towards the tip. 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 variety of longswords that have survived are diverse and it is obvious that personal preference and intended use where important factors in what a warrior of the period would choose to use. German Bastard or Hand-And -A-Half Sword, early 16th century | Barnebys Harnischfechten, or "armoured fighting" (German kampffechten, or Fechten in Harnisch zu Fuss, literally "fighting in armour on foot"), depicts fighting in full plate armour.[25]. Leather Wrapped Handle. In terms of blade typology, they do not form a single category. They possess an elongated grip which can easily accommodate both hands but they are generally well balanced enough to be wielded in one hand. [17]:7373,plate 67 The cross has been shown to be used as a hook for tripping or knocking an opponent off balance. When pike formations became common on battlefield tactics, ranged weapons proved more effective against pikemen, diminishing the advantages of hand-and-a-half swords. $440. 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 guard is also cast of the same extremely hard stainless steel alloy. [4] Though deemed a Hand and a Half sword, this sword has a grip length and handling characteristics that would be fitting for a longsword. [24] The pe de passot was the sidearm of the franc-archers (French or Breton bowmen of the 15th and 16th centuries). During half-swording, the entirety of the sword works as a weapon, including the pommel and crossguard. Jun 13, 2018. Bonhams : An Italian Two-Hand Sword 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. By the 15th century, larger and heavier swords had been developed, including the 'Bastard' or 'Hand-and-a-half' sword. Inspired from swords used during the late 14th through to the mid-16th centuries, this is a hand and a half length sword and is fully functional. Well, the most notable benefit of this sword type is the ability to use it with another weapon or shield. More details . The hand-and-a-half sword had a size between a one-handed sword and a two-handed sword. We offer an array of these swords. $349.99. The weapon may be held with one hand during disarmament or grappling techniques. Fully functional medieval battle ready sword. HEMA practitioners also use steel swords with unsharpened blades designed to bend in the thrust. Of these, "bastard sword" is the oldest, its use being contemporaneous with the weapon's heyday. 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. Today, it is among the most common weapons used in HEMA. The 19cm grip is constructed from timber, covered in faux leather with a sewn seam which is then cord wrapped for extra strength. In medieval fight books, the crossguard and pommel can be used for striking. Optimized for armored combat, their blades were steeply pointed, suggesting that their primary function was to pierce armor. 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. The blade length is about 70 to 80 cm (28-32 inches). The point would be to hold the grip with one hand at the top of the grip, and one hand at the bottom. The blade could range between 0.5 and 1m (1ft 8in and 3ft 3in) long while the handle was usually between 18 and 20cm (7 and 8in). $225.00. The Scottish name "claymore" (Scottish Gaelic: claidheamh mr, lit. 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. Bastard medieval swords, also known as hand-and-a-half swords, are surprisingly diverse weapons. As such, warriors using the hand-and-a-half sword were given more options. 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. Hand-and-a-Half (44) Length. The most well-known systematic typology of blade types of the European medieval sword is the Oakeshott typology, although this is also a modern classification and not a medieval one. A longsword is, obviously, longer than a shortsword. 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). Use in the Inheritance cycle The bastard sword also had a long thin long blade that tapered into a point. The basket-hilted sword is a sword type of the early modern era characterised by a basket-shaped guard that protects the hand. This could be a 5-inch handle with a pommel that accommodates being used as part of the grip to one that would have considerable room between the hands. Today, replicas have high-carbon steel blades, though the ones used in stage combat and reenactment have blunt edges. These techniques could be nearly instantly fatal or incapacitating, as a thrust to the skull, heart, or major blood vessel would cause massive trauma. Often also referred to as a hand-and-a-half sword. Scabbard. These swords have long cruciform hilts with grips over 10 to 15 inches in length, which provide room for two hands. Glamdring | The One Wiki to Rule Them All | Fandom Hand and a Half Sword 88HNH Bastard Sword by Cold Steel - Get a Sword A tradition of teaching based on this has survived in contemporary French and Italian stick fighting.[24]. 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. [4], The Panzerstecher ("armour stabber") is a German and East European weapon with a long, edgeless blade of square or triangular cross-section for penetrating armour. Both schools declined in the late 16th century, with the later Italian masters forgoing the longsword and focusing primarily on rapier fencing. The long grip gives the wielder plenty of leverage to maneuver the sword quickly and to strike decisively. Hand-and-a-Half Sword - The Metropolitan Museum of Art The lack of significant torso and limb protection leads to the use of a large amount of cutting and slicing techniques in addition to thrusts. It is considered possible for strong blows of the sword against plate armour to damage the blade of the sword, potentially rendering it much less effective at cutting and producing only a concussive effect against the armoured opponent. Perhaps. The Weapons of an English Medieval Knight The blade measured around 1 metre (40 inches), the grip averaged 15-23 cm (6-9 inches). The excellent balance and light weight make the Warspike an exceptional addition to any collection. We see very thin blades with tremendous cutting potential to swords of the more common diamond cross section, many with fullers, to the category of Tucks which hadblades designed for thrusting and levering ones opponent in close play. Sign up for our mailing-list and be alerted to new products, special sales, limited product availability, and more. This is the classic one-handed sword used by knights and was often used in conjunction with a shield. The falchion (French braquemart,[52] Spanish bracamarte) proper is a wide straight-bladed but curved edged hanger or long knife. 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. Most are leather covered with metal chape and throat. 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 . Two-Hander Longsword - Superior Swords Co. The term hand-and-a-half or bastard sword became a label to denote the later manifestations of these war swords or longswords. 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. 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]. The hand and a half blade is used for thrusting and the length of the blade is not any longer than the long sword. Longswords vs Bastard Swords vs Hand-and-a-Half Swords The tip of the sword blade is . Tough, rigid and durable. Sword Length: 42 5/8". Posted by Will Cruse on 23rd Oct 2022 Cool and does the job. 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. This . [26] Instead, the energy of the cut becomes essentially pure concussive energy. There is no historical dictionary for the universal names, classification or terminology of swords; a sword was simply a double edged knife. Non-sharpened. These are all in reference to swords commonly called hand and a half swords or longswords today. The 34 inch blade on that tends to be like 2 inches wide and 6mm+ thick and tapering . [6] Historical European Martial Arts associations have turned the term spada da lato[7] into "side-sword". Historically, katana () were one of the traditionally made Japanese swords (, nihont)[47][48] that were used by the samurai of feudal Japan. 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. These are all in reference to swords commonly called hand and a half swords or longswords today. collezionedeltin Hand-and-a half varieties typically have a blade length between 30 and 34 inches and weigh between 2 and 4 pounds. Fencing longsword ("hand-and-a-half" sword) - Gallery Systems Swordsmen were trained to use the dulled side for defensive and blocking techniques. Overall Length: 45.5" Blade Length: 33.50" Handle Material: Wood Covered in Leather, Black Carry System: Wood Scabbard Covered in Leather, Black This item is not for sale in some specific zip codes Frequently bought together + + Total price: Product Description Pen & Sword Books Limited. The hook sword, twin hooks, fu tao or shuang gou (simplified Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: or ; pinyin: Gou), also known as hu tou gou (tiger head hook), is a Chinese weapon traditionally associated with northern styles of Chinese martial arts and Wushu weapons routines, but now often practiced by southern styles as well. 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. It was coined by modern collectors in the 19th century to refer to how the weapon is wielded. Bastard Sword Weapons | NWN2DB They were made from wood, lined with cloth, and bound in leather. . The term "single-handed sword" (or "one-handed sword") is a retronym coined to disambiguate from "two-handed" or "hand-and-a-half" specimens. The long hilt 10-15 inches in length mainly distinguishes the bastard sword from other medieval swords. The steeply pointed blade, indicating that it was primarily intended . Irish Hand and Half Sword - Medieval Collectibles The backsword blade was cheaper to manufacture than a two-edged blade. Apparently, many swords were designed for left-hand use, although left-handed swords have been described as "a rarity".[12]. The Austrian Bastard Sword. Middle Ages Warrior Short Broadsword With Black Sheath - Double-Edged Sharp Blade - 22 1/2" Length. [25], The "Masters of Defence" competition organised by Henry VIII in July 1540 listed[26] "two hande sworde", "bastard sworde", and "longe sworde" as separate items (as it should in Joseph Swetnam's context). This type of sword was first developed in Europe in the 15th century and reflected the emergence of asymmetric guards, which made a two-edged blade somewhat redundant. A sword with a single hand grip length but longsword blade length The so called "hand and a half" swords Longswords/Greatswords that could be effectively used one handed but were usually used with both making it hard to describe as strictly a one hander or two hander J Jonathon Belt Joined Aug 20, 2011 Messages 40 Aug 14, 2013 #8 Scabbard. 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. Overall 39 inches. [citation needed] Small swords were also used as status symbols and fashion accessories; for most of the 18th century anyone, civilian or military, with pretensions to gentlemanly status would have worn a small sword on a daily basis. European Hand-and-a-half Sword - Superior Swords Co. Product description. 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 hand-and-a-half sword also belongs to Oakeshott types XVIa, XVII, and XVIIIa. [14] What would be the best length for a sword with a hand and a half hilt Bastard swords are also known as hand-and-a-half swords, falling between the longsword and greatsword in length. It could also be used one-handed against lightly armored archers from horseback and two-handed for thrusting attacks against heavily armored opponents. Blade Length: 34.5 Inches ; Handle Length: 11.5 Inches ; Overall Length: 46 Inches ; Balance Point: 3.5 Inches Below Hilt ; Weight: 2 lbs. Hand-and-a-Half Sword: Its History and Use in Combat CAS Hanwei Hand-and-a-Half Sword SH2034 - Amazon.com A Rare All-Steel Left-Hand DaggerThird Quarter Of The 16th Century, Probably Spanish. Warspike Knight's Hand-and-a-Half (Bastard) Sword $95 In Stock! Theme by Safe As Milk. In Italy, spadone, or longsword, instruction lingered on despite the popularity of the rapier, at least into the mid-17th century (Alfieri's Lo Spadone of 1653), with a late treatise of the "two handed sword" by one Giuseppe Colombani, a dentist in Venice dating to 1711. Another technique would be the Mordstreich (lit. 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. Honestly, your best bet for undestanding the dimensions of a historically accurate sword would be to have a look at museum pieces and moder. 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 hand and a half length handle is 10 inches. 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 . Longsword - Types and History - ilovebuhurt.com The later hardened plate armours, complete with ridges and roping, posed a threat against the careless attacker. Distinct "bastard sword" hilt types developed during the first half of the 16th century. 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. 100-122 cm (39-48 in) Width. 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. This sword tends to have a guard that is slightly loose. Swords with exceptionally long hilts are found throughout the High Middle Ages. 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. This versatility was unique, as multiple works hold that the longsword provided the foundations for learning a variety of other weapons including spears, staves, and polearms. The Spartan version was typically only 3045 centimetres. The hilt has a leather covered hardwood grip and forged hand guard. The "longsword" type exists in a morphological continuum with the medieval knightly sword and the Renaissance-era Zweihnder. It does not mean that these blades could not cut well, though they were less optimized for slashing. Bastard Sword. 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. [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. The arming sword was the most used sword type in the medieval period. This actually does help with defining how long the blade can be in relation t. The longsword was a quick, effective, and versatile weapon capable of deadly thrusts, slices, and cuts. Historical terminology overlaps with that applied to the Zweihnder sword in the 16th century: French espadon, Spanish espadn, or Portuguese montante may also be used more narrowly to refer to these large swords. Type XVII is a shorter-lived type, popular during the mid-14th to early 15th century. Add to cart. [23] The manual also presents half-sword techniques as an integral part of armoured combat. Cold Steel Hand-and-A-Half Sword with Leather/Wood Scabbard The tip is 0.9 inch side and 0.20 inches thick. 2023, Arms & Armor A term that was coined by Italian curators. In modern times, this variety of sword is also sometimes referred to as the broadsword.[36][37]. 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. 1101 Stinson Blvd. These days, the term longsword most frequently refers to a late Medieval and Renaissance weapon designed for use with two hands. 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. What kind of swords were used in medieval times? avg. The term two-handed sword, used as a general term, may refer to any large sword designed to be used primarily with two hands: The term "hand-and-a-half sword" is modern (late 19th century). Maximum Diameter: 4.2 cm (1 5/8 in.) The "longsword" type exists in a morphological continuum with . [2] Navigation menu . The grete war sword, also called epee de guerre or great sword, was an earlier type of longsword used throughout most of western Europe. The basket hilt is a development of the quillons added to swords' crossguards since the Late Middle Ages. Traditional vs Modern Differential Hardening for Swords. 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. 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.