A longsword typically features a blade with a length of approximately 33 to 41 inches (85 to 110 cm). In medieval fight books, the crossguard and pommel can be used for striking. The "Masters of Defence" competition organised by Henry VIII in July 1540 listed two handed sword and bastard sword as two separate items. The excellent balance and light weight make the Warspike an exceptional addition to any collection. Functionally, swords become more maneuverable, powerful, and fast when the handle is gripped with two hands. 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 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. Leather Wrapped Handle. Cod. Distinct "bastard sword" hilt types developed during the first half of the 16th century. [24] The pe de passot was the sidearm of the franc-archers (French or Breton bowmen of the 15th and 16th centuries). Tough, rigid and durable. This probably represents the differing tastes of current sword buyers from those of the Middle Ages. This sword tends to have a guard that is slightly loose. A tradition of teaching based on this has survived in contemporary French and Italian stick fighting.[24]. (M. Rector, Ed. 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). . Its handle featured a waisted shape, tapering towards shorter, thinner half-grips. It is considered "The General of All Weapons". Though deemed a Hand and a Half sword, this sword has a grip length and handling characteristics that would be fitting for a longsword. [5], The term "hand-and-a-half sword" is relatively modern (from the late 19th century);[6] Sword Length: 42 5/8". The hilt has a leather covered hardwood grip and forged hand guard. The hand-and-a-half swords had straight, double-edged blades. 4 European Single Hand-and-a-half Sword. The specific term used to describe these swords in period varied by region as listed above. 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. Blade Length: 34 1/2" Handle Length: 11 1/2" Weight: 3 lb 8 oz Point of Balance: 3 1/2" Blade Steel: 5160 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. Bastard Sword Sren Niedziella from Denmark . 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. Today, replicas have high-carbon steel blades, though the ones used in stage combat and reenactment have blunt edges. 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. 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.. SPADA DI STOCCO. [citation needed] The two handed claymore is an early Scottish version of a greatsword. It was longer than the gladius, and had more reach, so the spatha was most popular with soldiers in the cavalry. Ewart Oakeshott distinguishes twelve different types. According to the book titled "Exhibition of the Royal House of Tudo," hand-and-a-half sword is a relatively new term that just recently appeared beginning in the latter half of the 19th century. SBCM-MAS-RED 100-122 cm (39-48 in) Width. In terms of blade typology, they do not form a single category. Blade Length: 34.5 Inches ; Handle Length: 11.5 Inches ; Overall Length: 46 Inches ; Balance Point: 3.5 Inches Below Hilt ; Weight: 2 lbs. Overall lenght 118,5 cm - Wheight 1300 g. 5152 . The term "single-handed sword" (or "one-handed sword") is a retronym coined to disambiguate from "two-handed" or "hand-and-a-half" specimens. For example, there is a longsword in The Glasgow Art and History Museum, Labelled XIIIa. Origins of the Hand-and-a-Half-Sword 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. [4] [25] The term passot comes from the fact that these swords passed (passaient) the length of a "normal" short sword. 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. 1d6 slashing. The hand-and-a-half swords had long, slender blades and sharp points that could penetrate the gaps in the opponents armor. The intention of how to use the sword most likely dictated the way they were listed in inventories of the day. Properties. So, what benefits (if any) does a hand-and-a-half sword offer? Their handles have recognizable waist and bottle shapes which give a comfortable hold of the weapon. Leadingthe research, replication and understanding ofarms and armor for over 37 years, creating exceptional items for those who appreciate history and its material culture. Today, it is among the most common weapons used in HEMA. This manual, unfortunately for modern scholars, was written in obscure verse. Benefits of Using a Hand-and-a-Half-Sword. The Italian school of swordsmanship was the other primary school of longsword use. The earlier flatter blade types could not chop through plate armor, and its thin tip would only glance off instead of puncturing it. The arming sword, also called the knightly sword, had a short grip and was designed to be wielded with one hand. Minneapolis Minnesota All these newly introduced or redefined terms add to the confusion of the matter. Answer (1 of 2): I'll apologize be as I'm long-winded and cover a lot of ground. 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. As plate armor became more common, swords became longer and acquired a leaner blade with an acute point for thrusting. And this is why it remains a popular sword type even after all of those years. 120-150 cm (47-59 in), blade length: avg. [30] However, George Silver and Joseph Swetnam refer to them merely as "two hande sworde". 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. Hand Forged High Carbon Steel Viking Sword, Sharp / Battle Ready Medieval Sword. "large/great sword")[16][17] can refer to either the longsword with a distinctive two-handed grip, or the basket-hilted sword. Slung across his back in a black leather shoulder sheath was Longclaw, the hand-and-a-half bastard blade the Old Bear had given him for saving his life. This is the classic one-handed sword used by knights and was often used in conjunction with a shield. [8] During the first half of the 20th century, the term "bastard sword" was used regularly to refer to this type of sword.[9]. [2] Navigation menu . These blades are strongly tapered, more narrow and slender even than the single-handed type XV variant, with a flattened diamond cross-section. [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. There is no historical dictionary for the universal names, classification or terminology of swords; a sword was simply a double edged knife. The 34 inch blade on that tends to be like 2 inches wide and 6mm+ thick and tapering . Dual Tempered HRc 60 48-50 at the core Fittings : Mild Steel Blade Thickness: 1.34 mm Total Length: 45 . 848 Groe Heidelberger Liederhandschrift(Codex Manesse) Zrich, 1305 bis 1340 321v: Herr Dietmar der Setzer. Rather than restricting its use to either one or two hands, it allows for both types of wielding. Some historians believe that it was primarily used in war and not an everyday weapon of the knight. The hand-and-a-half sword falls somewhere in between the one-handed and two-handed weapons. 3 Reviews; 3 Reviews. 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. 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. There is no historical Italian equivalent to the English word "rapier". They have a flattened diamond cross-section, often with pronounced mid-rib, some being hollow-ground. Price Availability* Description SBA-WARSPIKE $ 95 14 In Stock The Warspike: Knight Longsword Engrave this item for $20 . Warspike Knight's Hand-and-a-Half (Bastard) Sword $95 In Stock! Often also referred to as a hand-and-a-half sword. So, what exactly is a hand-and-a-half sword? 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 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. 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 swords grouped as "longswords" for the purposes of this article are united by their being intended for two-handed use. 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. Weight 1700 g. 5144. The Scottish name "claymore" (Scottish Gaelic: claidheamh mr, lit. 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. Kodachi vs Wakizashi: What's the Difference? Sub-type XXa has a more acutely tapering blade and a more acute point. [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. It was a specialist weapon wielded by certain Landsknechte (mercenary soldiers), so-called Doppelsldners. These are double-edged, usually straight bladed swords, designed for optimized balance, reach and versatility. 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 longsword was a quick, effective, and versatile weapon capable of deadly thrusts, slices, and cuts. [17]:plate 58 Some manuals even depict the cross as a hammer. The tip is 0.9 inch side and 0.20 inches thick. 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. These swords were too heavy to be wielded one-handed and possessed a large grip for leverage. Most were better suited for thrusting, but others were also designed for more cutting. 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 . The Spartan version was typically only 3045 centimetres. : 4 3/4" Grip Length: 6 7/8" Blade: [C60 High Carbon Steel] Manufacturer: Deepeeka From the late 15th century, however, it is also attested as being worn and used by unarmoured soldiers or mercenaries. [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). These days, the term longsword most frequently refers to a late Medieval and Renaissance weapon designed for use with two hands. [49] Modern versions of the katana are sometimes made using non-traditional materials and methods. The hand-and-a-half sword had a size between a one-handed sword and a two-handed sword. Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more , The 4 Key Elements of a High-Quality Traditional Japanese Sword. It allowed more accurate and powerful thrusts against armored opponents. The blade could be the same length as a single-hand sword but the tang and the grip . Some advantages over wooden training gear are, Durability - Won't split, rot or splinter. These swords have a point of balance at 5 inches and a point of harmonics at 21 inches. The tang is peened onto the forged pommel. Furthermore, there is a deprecation of the term "broadsword" by these associations. Type XVIIIc blades are somewhat broader and shorter (about 85cm), and sometimes have a short and narrow fuller. Learn more about the history and use of the hand-and-a-half sword and how it compares to other medieval swords. These are all in reference to swords commonly called hand and a half swords or longswords today. (2012). 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). [23] The manual also presents half-sword techniques as an integral part of armoured combat. COLD STEEL HAND AND A HALF SWORD DEADLIEST WEAPONS One of Lynn's favorites.Hand-And-A-Half Sword. The backsword was a single-edged, straight-bladed sword, typically for military use. During the first half of the 20th century, the term "bastard sword" was also 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).[7]. 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 . 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 The hand-and-a-half sword is particularly versatile in this regard. [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. On the other hand, those with stainless steel blades are only meant for decoration while LARP versions have foam blades. This type includes the 14th to 15th century "hand and a half sword" or "two-handed" swords, often with two or more fullers. 55413 United States. Hand-and-a-half swords had long grips that permitted the use of the second hand. Maximum Diameter: 4.2 cm (1 5/8 in.) Type XVIa is the classical "longsword" of the 14th and 15th centuries. Hand-and-a-Half (26) Length. [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. They also had a pommel that counterbalanced the weight of the blade, improving its maneuverability. Unlike the xiphos, which is a thrusting weapon, the kopis was a hacking weapon in the form of a thick, curved single edged iron sword. search . The blade length is about 70 to 80 cm (28-32 inches). Therein the basics of combat were described and, in some cases, depicted. Hand-and-a-half swords varied in their blade length, usually ranging from 88 to 100 centimeters (35 to 40 inches). Also, the hand on the blade increases its rigidity which is advantageous when thrusting. 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. 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 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. Hand and a Half Sword 88HNH medieval bastard sword by Cold Steel. These techniques could be nearly instantly fatal or incapacitating, as a thrust to the skull, heart, or major blood vessel would cause massive trauma. The name bastard sword was first used in the 15th century, as far as we know. 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 When wielded two-handed, they become brutally effective slashing or chopping weapons. 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. Longswords or . Type XVa is the classical two-handed sword of the 14th and 15th centuries (with early examples appearing from the later 13th century). 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. Hand-and-a-half swords can be used with one or both hands as needed in combat. [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. Type XVII is a shorter-lived type, popular during the mid-14th to early 15th century. [17]:plates 128150, Another variation of use comes from the use of armour. The tip of the sword blade is . 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. The term longsword has been used to refer to different kinds of sword depending on historical context: The spatha was a double-edged longsword used by the Romans. The term "broadsword" was never used historically to describe the one-handed arming sword. 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. 8 gp. By the 15th century, larger and heavier swords had been developed, including the 'Bastard' or 'Hand-and-a-half' sword. 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. This was the most common longsword up to the late 13th century CE. Swordecyclopedia 2022 - All Rights Reserved, Medieval Swordsmanship: Illustrated Methods And Techniques, Medieval Military Technology, Second Edition. 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. 5060cm long and typically made of bronze or iron. 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. 2023, Arms & Armor Great swords or greatswords are related to the long swords of the Middle Ages. They represent larger versions of type XII and type XIII swords which were the standard. The steeply pointed blade, indicating that it was primarily intended . It was the typical knights sword of the 15th century designed for thrusting against vulnerable points in plate armor. Historical terms without a universal consensus of definition (i.e. The idea for the spatha came from the swords of ancient Celts in Germany and Britain. However they mainly saw prominence outside the battlefield as a duelling weapon. Some had straight or curved quillons (arms of the crossguard), side rings, finger rings, and loop-back guards. 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. 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]. 1101 Stinson Blvd. A hand-and-a-half sword, however, falls somewhere between these two, with an average blade length of about 22 to 30 inches. The later hardened plate armours, complete with ridges and roping, posed a threat against the careless attacker. 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. 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. 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. [26] Instead, the energy of the cut becomes essentially pure concussive energy. [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. Longsword, bastard sword, and hand-and-a-half sword are all names used to describe a variety of medieval European swords. Hand-and-a-Half (44) Length. 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. The term "rapier" appeared in the English lexicon via the French pe rapire which either compared the weapon to a rasp or file; it may be a corruption of "rasping sword"[38] which referred to the sound the blade makes[39] when it comes into contact with another blade. . The most common form is also known as the Chinese sabre, although those with wider blades are sometimes referred to as Chinese broadswords. In later usage, 'cutlass' referred to the short naval boarding sabre. First quarter of the 9th c. A.D. (Stuttgart: Wurt. Apparently, many swords were designed for left-hand use, although left-handed swords have been described as "a rarity".[12]. Two-handed swords, on the other hand, are long and heavy, making them particularly effective at dealing critical blows. 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. Includes Scabbard or Sheath (19) Scabbard. They run 3 pounds plus, but you wonder how much of that weight is in the basket hilt, etc.? They were made from wood, lined with cloth, and bound in leather. The hand-and-a-half swords optimized the combination of reach, maneuverability, and weight. 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" [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". Sponsored. The scimitar (French cimeterre, Italian scimitarra) is a type of saber that came to refer in general to any sabre used by the Turks or Ottomans (kilic), Persians (shamshir) and more specifically the Stradioti[58] (Albanian and Greek mercenaries who fought in the French-Italian Wars and were employed throughout Western Europe). Historical terms (15th to 16th century) for this type of sword included the Italian spada longa (lunga) and French pe longue. 1400-1430 On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 373. However, the reduced weight near the tips made them less efficient for slashing. 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. It was "[a sword] which was neither French, nor Spanish, nor properly Landsknecht [German], but longer than any of these sturdy swords. They possess an elongated grip which can easily accommodate both hands but they are generally well balanced enough to be wielded in one hand. The hand and a half length handle is 10 inches. 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 lack of significant torso and limb protection leads to the use of a large amount of cutting and slicing techniques in addition to thrusts. 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. Includes a leather belt frog and scabbard with belt stop. Ships in 3-7 days. [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. The Austrian Bastard Sword. Weight ranged from 1 to 1.5 kg. 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. In modern history, many of these terms have been given specific, often arbitrary meanings that are unrelated to any of their historical meanings. 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. "Let thy (long) Rapier or (long) Sword be foure foote at the least, and thy dagger two foote." SWORD, late 14th century, . A longsword is, obviously, longer than a shortsword. Handle Length. 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.