Historical terms without a universal consensus of definition (i.e. When pike formations became common on battlefield tactics, ranged weapons proved more effective against pikemen, diminishing the advantages of hand-and-a-half swords. Folio 158 v.). [citation needed] The height of the small sword's popularity was between the mid-17th and late 18th century. 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 swords have long cruciform hilts with grips over 10 to 15 inches in length, which provide room for two hands. The blade measured around 1 metre (40 inches), the grip averaged 15-23 cm (6-9 inches). [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. By the 16th century, its military use was mostly obsolete, culminating in the brief period where the oversized Zweihnder were wielded by the German Landsknechte during the early to mid 16th century. Suitable for martial arts training, film props etc. Leather / Wood Scabbard with Steel Fittings. In modern times, this variety of sword is also sometimes referred to as the broadsword.[36][37]. Their specially shaped grips, usually bottle-shaped or waisted, gave better control and hold of the weapon. The term "hand-and-a-half sword" is modern (late 19th century). Bastard medieval swords, also known as hand-and-a-half swords, are surprisingly diverse weapons. This type includes the 14th to 15th century "hand and a half sword" or "two-handed" swords, often with two or more fullers. The Scabbard All Hanwei western medieval swords come with a nicely made scabbard. Lengths usually ranged from 110 cm to 150 cm, with 120 to 125 cm probably being the median. [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. Regardless, the sword's defining characteristics remain the same: it can be used with either one hand or both hands. [citation needed] It is thought to have appeared in France and spread quickly across the rest of Europe. 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. It does not mean that these blades could not cut well, though they were less optimized for slashing. By the second half of the 16th century, it persisted mostly as a weapon for sportive competition (Schulfechten), and possibly in knightly duels. Middle Ages Warrior Short Broadsword With Black Sheath - Double-Edged Sharp Blade - 22 1/2" Length. Leather Wrapped Handle. In southern Germany, it persisted into the 1560s, but its use also declined during the second half of the 16th century. The hand could grip above or below the half-grip, or directly at the middle. The blade is 79cm in length and constructed from a rugged 1060 spring steel and through . This manual, unfortunately for modern scholars, was written in obscure verse. What kind of swords were used in medieval times? Hand and a Half Sword 88HNH medieval bastard sword by Cold Steel. A tradition of teaching based on this has survived in contemporary French and Italian stick fighting.[24]. In the early Middle Ages, swords were broad and heavy and used to hack through the mail. From cut to thrust: The, Hand-and-a-Half Sword vs. [26] Instead, the energy of the cut becomes essentially pure concussive energy. 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. search . 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]. 848 Groe Heidelberger Liederhandschrift(Codex Manesse) Zrich, 1305 bis 1340 321v: Herr Dietmar der Setzer. ca. It was "[a sword] which was neither French, nor Spanish, nor properly Landsknecht [German], but longer than any of these sturdy swords. Among most Greek warriors, this weapon had an iron blade of about 60 centimetres. 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. The last known German manual to include longsword teaching was that of Jakob Sutor, published in 1612. In the Oakeshott typology of blade morphology, "longswords" figure as a range of sub-types of the corresponding single-handed sword types.[16]. . The hand-and-a-half sword is also called a bastard sword because it has no legitimate claim to being classified as either a one-handed or two-handed weapon. SPADA DI STOCCO. Some of these terms originate contemporaneously with the weapons which they describe. . The increased defensive capability of a man clad in full plate armour caused the use of the sword to be drastically changed. 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. [citation needed]. The weapon was used in the half-sword, with one or both hands on the blade. Their handles have recognizable waist and bottle shapes which give a comfortable hold of the weapon. 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. Great swords or greatswords are related to the long swords of the Middle Ages. 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. The arming sword was paired with a small, round buckler shield on the left hand. The sword is made of carbon steel with a Rockwell hardness of HRC 54 ? An Italian Two-Hand Sword First Half Of The 16th Century. A longsword typically features a blade with a length of approximately 33 to 41 inches (85 to 110 cm). Venezia, fine secolo XV. Handle Length. The distinction between two-handed swords and longswords can be confusing, and the deeper you delve into marginal cases the less clear the distinction can become. This is the classic one-handed sword used by knights and was often used in conjunction with a shield. The "longsword" type exists in a morphological continuum with the medieval knightly sword and the Renaissance-era Zweihnder. The arming sword was the most used sword type in the medieval period. It is considered "The General of All Weapons". Swordecyclopedia 2022 - All Rights Reserved, Medieval Swordsmanship: Illustrated Methods And Techniques, Medieval Military Technology, Second Edition. The names derive from words popular at different times and places. 15th Century. A hand-and-a-half sword can be anywhere from 3.5 to 4.5 feet long and generally weighs around 2-4 pounds. Includes a leather belt frog and scabbard with belt stop. 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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 "longsword" type exists in a morphological continuum with . 3 European single handed sword. Though deemed a Hand and a Half sword, this sword has a grip length and handling characteristics that would be fitting for a longsword. The long grip gives the wielder plenty of leverage to maneuver the sword quickly and to strike decisively. 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. probably German. The Elizabethan long sword (cf. Most long swords were double edged. 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. Swordsmen were trained to use the dulled side for defensive and blocking techniques. 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. What's in a name? 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. 8 gp. 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 . It could also be used one-handed against lightly armored archers from horseback and two-handed for thrusting attacks against heavily armored opponents. The hand-and-a-half swords had straight, double-edged blades. Daggers were loot/spoils. The Zweihnder ("two-hander") or Beidhnder ("both-hander") is a true two-handed sword, in the sense that it cannot be wielded in only one hand. Landesbib. Includes Scabbard or Sheath (19) Maximum Diameter: 4.2 cm (1 5/8 in.) 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" [19] There are also larger two-handed versions used by ancient and medieval armies and for training by many styles of Chinese martial arts. Sword Length: 42 5/8". The hand-and-a-half swords had long, slender blades and sharp points that could penetrate the gaps in the opponents armor. If wielded in one hand, the hand-and-a-half sword functioned similarly to an arming sword, though its balance would be slightly different. 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. The hilt has a leather covered hardwood grip and forged hand guard. Longsword, bastard sword, and hand-and-a-half sword are all names used to describe a variety of medieval European swords. First quarter of the 9th c. A.D. (Stuttgart: Wurt. A hand-and-a-half sword, however, falls somewhere between these two, with an average blade length of about 22 to 30 inches. Apart from being a writer, she also dabbles in fashion modeling and acting. Fine secolo XIV Lunghezza totale cm 108. 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. Sword hangers are knotted onto the scabbard with strips of leather, and they can be adjusted to fit and angle with a pair of brass screws. $225.00. It is ideal for HEMA study - recreating the longswords from Fiore, Talhoffer, etc. [21] Others provided similar work, some with a wide array of images to accompany the text.[22]. Hand-and-a-half swords initially had a plain crossguard but later featured extensive hand guards. These blades are strongly tapered, more narrow and slender even than the single-handed type XV variant, with a flattened diamond cross-section. Hand-and-a half varieties typically have a blade length between 30 and 34 inches and weigh between 2 and 4 pounds. 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. Swords with exceptionally long hilts are found throughout the High Middle Ages. 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. Hand-and-a-Half (44) Length. Some of the earliest swords seemingly designed for two handed use are the "Grete Swords of War" of the 13thC. The backsword blade was cheaper to manufacture than a two-edged blade. These are all in reference to swords commonly called hand and a half swords or longswords today. "Single-handed sword" is used by Sir Walter Scott. Dorling Kindersley Publishing Staff. [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. NE [citation needed] The two handed claymore is an early Scottish version of a greatsword. The long hilt 10-15 inches in length mainly distinguishes the bastard sword from other medieval swords. By the late 16th century, early forms of the developed-hilt appear on this type of sword. It was a specialist weapon wielded by certain Landsknechte (mercenary soldiers), so-called Doppelsldners. All of these types can be classified in some of their forms as Longsword, Bastard Sword and Hand and a Half swords. 44. 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). This sword tends to have a guard that is slightly loose. [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. Others are modern or early modern terms used by antiquarians, curators, and modern-day sword enthusiasts for historical swords. Modern replica longswords cover many of these diverse types, though certainstyles are less well represented in the current market place. 1d6 slashing. The basket hilt is a development of the quillons added to swords' crossguards since the Late Middle Ages. The falchion (French braquemart,[52] Spanish bracamarte) proper is a wide straight-bladed but curved edged hanger or long knife. Origins of the Hand-and-a-Half-Sword Longswords have straight, double-edged blades and are small enough to be drawn from the belt. The two terms are largely equivalent to "unarmoured fighting" (blossfechten) and "armoured fencing" (fechten im harnisch). The blade length is about 70 to 80 cm (28-32 inches). It was prevalent during the late medieval and Renaissance periods (approximately 1350 to 1550), with early and late use reaching into the 12th and 17th centuries. 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. Fully functional medieval battle ready sword. + $45.00 shipping. They represent larger versions of type XII and type XIII swords which were the standard. And this is why it remains a popular sword type even after all of those years. The grip of the hand and a half sword was long enough to accommodate one hand or two hands when used in combat. 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. Hand-and-a-Half (26) Length. Rather than restricting its use to either one or two hands, it allows for both types of wielding. Today, the two terms are used interchangeably, with some people referring to as a hand-and-a-half sword and others calling it a bastard sword. They run 3 pounds plus, but you wonder how much of that weight is in the basket hilt, etc.? 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. More . the same height as the user) such as the Oakeshott type XIIa or Oakeshott type XIIIa. By the 15th century, larger and heavier swords had been developed, including the 'Bastard' or 'Hand-and-a-half' sword. 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. 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 katana is characterized by its distinctive appearance: a curved, slender, single-edged blade usually with a round guard and long grip to accommodate two hands. 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. [8] 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). It's not technically intended to be used with one and a half hands -- that doesn't make sense. In the UK, the swords were supposedly weapons of a long dead great grandfather in British Navy. (J. L. Forgeng, Trans.). These are all in reference to swords commonly called hand and a half swords or longswords today. Cod. The specific term used to describe these swords in period varied by region as listed above. 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). Blofechten (blosz fechten) or "bare fighting" is the technique of fighting without significant protective armour such as plate or mail. (M. Rector, Ed. 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. Honestly, your best bet for undestanding the dimensions of a historically accurate sword would be to have a look at museum pieces and moder. Important sources for rapier fencing include the Italian Bolognese group, with early representatives such as Antonio . [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. A longer and broader blade which widened slightly towards the handle. Answer (1 of 2): I'll apologize be as I'm long-winded and cover a lot of ground. Hand-and-a-half swords varied in their blade length, usually ranging from 88 to 100 centimeters (35 to 40 inches). Some historians believe that it was primarily used in war and not an everyday weapon of the knight. Types XVIIIb and XVIIIc represent the later longswords of the mid-15th to early 16th centuries. Type XX blades are broad, with lenticular or octagonal cross-sections. The French pe de passot may also refer to a medieval single-handed sword optimized for thrusting. Jun 13, 2018. It was not defined, as we do today, by specific lengths or forms. 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. 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 hand-and-a-half swords optimized the combination of reach, maneuverability, and weight. 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. Like the German manuals, the weapon is most commonly depicted and taught with both hands on the hilt. HEMA practitioners also use steel swords with unsharpened blades designed to bend in the thrust. 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. [30] However, George Silver and Joseph Swetnam refer to them merely as "two hande sworde". Sign up for our mailing-list and be alerted to new products, special sales, limited product availability, and more. 2023, Arms & Armor The Italian school of swordsmanship was the other primary school of longsword use. Access this answer and support the author as a Quora+ subscriber Both schools declined in the late 16th century, with the later Italian masters forgoing the longsword and focusing primarily on rapier fencing. We will respect your privacy. During half-swording, the entirety of the sword works as a weapon, including the pommel and crossguard. 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 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. To overcome this problem, swords began to be used primarily for thrusting. With the Irish Hand and Half Sword, you swiftly break through the enemy lines and claim victory for your army this morn. Advantages of Hand-and-a-Half Swords 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 tang is peened onto the forged pommel. [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. The hilts (handles) range from 8 to 16 inches long to provide room for gauntleted hands. Most were better suited for thrusting, but others were also designed for more cutting. We offer an array of these swords. Some had broad parallel edges to those with acute tapers from the guard to a spike like point and many variations in between. The English language terminology used in the classification of swords is imprecise and has varied widely over time. When wielded two-handed, they become brutally effective slashing or chopping weapons. 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 point would be to hold the grip with one hand at the top of the grip, and one hand at the bottom. Two-handed swords, on the other hand, are long and heavy, making them particularly effective at dealing critical blows. Minneapolis Minnesota These techniques could be nearly instantly fatal or incapacitating, as a thrust to the skull, heart, or major blood vessel would cause massive trauma. In the years to follow, however, the sword later became known as a "bastard sword." [citation needed], The tuck may also get its name from the verb "to tuck" which means "to shorten". The earliest forms of these are oversized examples of the single handed swords would be hard to distinguish as a separate group. Historical (15th to 16th century) terms for this type of sword included Portuguese espada-de-armas, estoque or espada de duas mos for the version with longer handle used exclusively with both hands; Spanish espadn, montante, or mandoble, Italian spada longa (lunga) or spada due mani (Bolognese), and Middle French passot. As with our single-hand broadswords above these weapons are custom made. Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more , The 4 Key Elements of a High-Quality Traditional Japanese Sword. The basket-hilted sword is a sword type of the early modern era characterised by a basket-shaped guard that protects the hand. Tweet Share Google+ Pinterest . 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. 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. 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. 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. 3 Reviews; 3 Reviews. The 1410 manuscript by Fiore dei Liberi presents a variety of uses for the longsword. 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. Its handle featured a waisted shape, tapering towards shorter, thinner half-grips. ], Antiquarian usage in the 19th century established the use of "bastard sword" as referring unambiguously to these large swords. 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. [8] During the first half of the 20th century, the term "bastard sword" was used regularly to refer to this type of sword.[9]. It allowed more accurate and powerful thrusts against armored opponents. Also, the hand on the blade increases its rigidity which is advantageous when thrusting. The name hand-and-a-half is not a historical term. In comparison, a shortsword's blade is about 12 to 20 inches (30 to 50 cm). [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.
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