When we see references to the Grans espes d'Allemagne (large swords of Germany) at the beginning of the 14th century,it is obvious that the idea of a larger sword for use with two hands has entered the arsenal of the Medieval Knight. 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. Warspike Knight's Hand-and-a-Half (Bastard) Sword $95 In Stock! [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. Sword Length: 42 5/8". [21] Others provided similar work, some with a wide array of images to accompany the text.[22]. All parts of the sword are used for offensive purposes, including the pommel and crossguard. They are a sub-class . Cold Steel Hand-and-A-Half Sword with Leather/Wood Scabbard Others also had hexagonal cross-sections that cut poorly towards the tip. Bonhams : An Italian Two-Hand Sword At the most basic level a longsword, also often known as a hand-and-a-half sword or a Bastard Sword, is a double-edged European sword, often with a cruciform hilt, that is capable of being used in either one hand or two. The hand-and-a-half sword was a balanced weapon that enabled one to use it with one or both hands. 848 Groe Heidelberger Liederhandschrift(Codex Manesse) Zrich, 1305 bis 1340 321v: Herr Dietmar der Setzer. A channel ran down about half of the blade. Glamdring | The One Wiki to Rule Them All | Fandom This type of sword had a thickened back to the blade (opposite the cutting edge), which gave the blade strength. 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. 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. 452. The weapon was used in the half-sword, with one or both hands on the blade. 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. [26] Instead, the energy of the cut becomes essentially pure concussive energy. Well, the most notable benefit of this sword type is the ability to use it with another weapon or shield. Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more , The 4 Key Elements of a High-Quality Traditional Japanese Sword. 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. A defining characteristic of the sword isn't the overall length, it's the length of the handle. The term referred to a medieval single-handed sword optimized for thrusting. The term hand-and-a-half or bastard sword became a label to denote the later manifestations of these war swords or longswords. SPADA DI STOCCO. The groin and throat were among the favourite targets. The point would be to hold the grip with one hand at the top of the grip, and one hand at the bottom. By the late 16th century, early forms of the developed-hilt appear on this type of sword. $440. As with our single-hand broadswords above these weapons are custom made. The bastard sword also had a long thin long blade that tapered into a point. What Really is a Hand and a Half Sword? Full Analysis The term "hand-and-a-half sword" is modern (late 19th century). They were hybrid swords that enabled blows to be delivered with the power of a two-handed sword but could also be wielded with one hand. Total Length: 1060mm; Blade Length: 790mm ; Hilt Length: 270mm ; Guard Width: 255mm ; Total Weight: 765g; View All Close. This increased the accuracy and strength of thrusts and provided more leverage for Ringen am Schwert or "wrestling at/with the sword". It was "[a sword] which was neither French, nor Spanish, nor properly Landsknecht [German], but longer than any of these sturdy swords. Medieval Longsword, Xiphos Sword: Facts About the Leaf-Bladed Greek Sword, Your Ultimate Guide to the European Smallsword, Gladius Sword: A Guide on the Roman Short Sword, Claymore: A Guide to Popular Scottish Sword, The Historically Authentic Executioner Sword, Flamberge: A Guide to the Flame-Bladed Swords. A hand-and-a-half sword, however, falls somewhere between these two, with an average blade length of about 22 to 30 inches. [17]:1516 The blade was generally used with both hands on the hilt, one resting close to or on the pommel. Hand Forged High Carbon Steel Excalibur Sword, Sharp/ Medieval Hunting The hanger (obs. The earlier flatter blade types could not chop through plate armor, and its thin tip would only glance off instead of puncturing it. 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). Hand-and-a-Half Sword: Its History and Use in Combat An example of a "true" bastard sword / hand-and-a-half sword Skallagrim 1.56M subscribers 881K views 7 years ago The term longsword (or "long sword") is often incorrectly applied to. Sword 5 - 15th Century Hand and a Half Sword. 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. 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. . A longsword typically features a blade with a length of approximately 33 to 41 inches (85 to 110 cm). It was coined by modern collectors in the 19th century to refer to how the weapon is wielded. 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. A longsword, hand and a half sword or bastard sword is a long, symmetrical sword with a cruciform (cross-shaped) hilt, and a double-edged blade tapered to a sharp point for thrusting. Today, it is among the most common weapons used in HEMA. Sword Classification Basics - Medieval Swords World 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 Weapons of an English Medieval Knight Distinct "bastard sword" hilt types developed during the first half of the 16th century. search . 4 European Single Hand-and-a-half Sword. Hand-and-a-half sword | Inheriwiki | Fandom Blade: 5160 High Carbon Steel. Origins of the Hand-and-a-Half-Sword "large/great sword")[16][17] can refer to either the longsword with a distinctive two-handed grip, or the basket-hilted sword. Often also referred to as a hand-and-a-half sword. The hand-and-a-half swords had long, slender blades and sharp points that could penetrate the gaps in the opponents armor. Since it has no legitimate claim to being a member of either weapon family, it has earned the name bastard sword. The English language terminology used in the classification of swords is imprecise and has varied widely over time. [13][14][15][dubious discuss] The great sword proper was developed during the Renaissance, but its earlier cousin, the Scottish Claymore, was very similar in size and use, like the "outsized specimens" between 160cm and 180cm (approx. Most hand-and-a-half swords had a diamond cross-section with a central ridge, creating a more rigid blade and specialized anti-armor tip for thrusting. 44. . "arming sword", "broadsword", "long sword", etc.) This page was last edited on 27 February 2023, at 01:56. Hand-and-a-half sword - CelticWebMerchant.com The Elizabethan long sword (cf. 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 term "single-handed sword" (or "one-handed sword") is a retronym coined to disambiguate from "two-handed" or "hand-and-a-half" specimens. 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. [citation needed], The sabre (US saber) or shable (French sabre, Spanish sable, Italian sciabola, German Sbel, Russian sablya, Hungarian szablya, Polish szabla, Ukrainian shablya) is a single-edged curved bladed cavalry sword.[57]. [citation needed] The height of the small sword's popularity was between the mid-17th and late 18th century. 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. Codified systems of fighting with the longsword existed from the later 14th century, with a variety of styles and teachers each providing a slightly different take on the art. Some historians believe that it was primarily used in war and not an everyday weapon of the knight. These swords were too heavy to be wielded one-handed and possessed a large grip for leverage. [13] Sponsored. The Scabbard All Hanwei western medieval swords come with a nicely made scabbard. 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. As its name suggests, it had an advantage in terms of greater reach over the so-called short sword or arming sword. In terms of weight, a typical hand-and-a-half sword weighed roughly 2.4 to 4 pounds (1.1 to 1.8 kg). 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. Posted by Will Cruse on 23rd Oct 2022 Cool and does the job. Sword Dimensions? | BladeForums.com 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". These days, the term longsword most frequently refers to a late Medieval and Renaissance weapon designed for use with two hands. 120-150 cm (47-59 in), blade length: avg. What Type of Sword is the Master Sword from Zelda? | ResetEra The weapon may be held with one hand during disarmament or grappling techniques. A longer and broader blade which widened slightly towards the handle. 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 "Masters of Defence" competition organised by Henry VIII in July 1540 listed two handed sword and bastard sword as two separate items. The basket-hilted sword is a sword type of the early modern era characterised by a basket-shaped guard that protects the hand. Early depictions of a sword in two hands show swords such as the A&A Hungarian Sword used to deliver these blows. Leadingthe research, replication and understanding ofarms and armor for over 37 years, creating exceptional items for those who appreciate history and its material culture. 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. By The Sword, Inc. - 15th Century Hand and a Half Sword [citation needed] In French, estoc also means thrust or point; and estoc et taille means cut and thrust. . Furthermore, there is a deprecation of the term "broadsword" by these associations. Bonhams : A Rare All-Steel Left-Hand Dagger Honestly, your best bet for undestanding the dimensions of a historically accurate sword would be to have a look at museum pieces and moder. Some of the earliest swords seemingly designed for two handed use are the Grete Swords of War of the 13th C. These are referred to by a variety of names and include Langschwert, spadone or spada longa, grootzwaard, pe btarde, and bastard sword. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Hand and a Half Swords - Dark Knight Armoury With the Irish Hand and Half Sword, you swiftly break through the enemy lines and claim victory for your army this morn. The #034 Black Prince a Type XVa Longsword, Durer Bastard Sword #195 a Type XVIII Longsword. Shes particularly interested in the rise and fall of empires, accounts of war and conquest, and ancient and classical history. Deepeeka Spadona Review - sword-buyers-guide.com 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). Frontline Books. Similarly, strong strikes could cut through skin and bone, effectively amputating limbs. Hand Forged High Carbon Steel Viking Sword, Sharp / Battle Ready Medieval Sword. These swords are distinctly made for use in one or two hands and have the grip length and reach to be used as longswords as described in the material fromthe Liechtenauer tradition and Fiore de Libre. Landesbib. Their handles have recognizable waist and bottle shapes which give a comfortable hold of the weapon. [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. Advantages of Hand-and-a-Half Swords 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. 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 hand-and-a-half swords optimized the combination of reach, maneuverability, and weight. Elizabethans used descriptive terms such as "short", "bastard", and "long" which emphasized the length of the blade, and "two-handed" for any sword that could be wielded by two hands. 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. [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. [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.
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