Fourteenth Century Length overall 124 cm. 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 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. [30] However, George Silver and Joseph Swetnam refer to them merely as "two hande sworde". However, the reduced weight near the tips made them less efficient for slashing. this name was given because the balance of the sword made it usable in one hand, as well as two. 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. It's not technically intended to be used with one and a half hands -- that doesn't make sense. 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). 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 . 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. They were made from wood, lined with cloth, and bound in leather. The grip was somewhat larger than the grip of a one-handed sword so that . These swords have a point of balance at 5 inches and a point of harmonics at 21 inches. 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. 452. 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. 30-40 Inches (3) 40-50 Inches (21) 50-60 Inches (2) Product Includes. 2023, Arms & Armor 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. 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. In the years to follow, however, the sword later became known as a "bastard sword." 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 longsword has many names in the English language, which, aside from variant spellings, include terms such as "bastard sword" and "hand-and-a-half sword." 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 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. 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. 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. Scabbard. Dao are single-edged Chinese swords, primarily used for slashing and chopping. 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. 1101 Stinson Blvd. Rather than restricting its use to either one or two hands, it allows for both types of wielding. Shes particularly interested in the rise and fall of empires, accounts of war and conquest, and ancient and classical history. Therein the basics of combat were described and, in some cases, depicted. Sponsored. On the other hand, the hand-and-a-half swords were often used alone. 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]. 44. 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. Sign up for our mailing-list and be alerted to new products, special sales, limited product availability, and more. [17]:1516 The blade was generally used with both hands on the hilt, one resting close to or on the pommel. Origins of the Hand-and-a-Half-Sword Of these, "bastard sword" is the oldest, its use being contemporaneous with the weapon's heyday. The long grip gives the wielder plenty of leverage to maneuver the sword quickly and to strike decisively. In southern Germany, it persisted into the 1560s, but its use also declined during the second half of the 16th century. Hand-and-a-half swords varied in their blade length, usually ranging from 88 to 100 centimeters (35 to 40 inches). 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. 4 European Single Hand-and-a-half Sword. Non-sharpened. COLD STEEL HAND AND A HALF SWORD DEADLIEST WEAPONS One of Lynn's favorites.Hand-And-A-Half Sword. It's typically used as an intermediate weapon for those learning how to use a real longsword. 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. probably German. The "Masters of Defence" competition organised by Henry VIII in July 1540 listed two handed sword and bastard sword as two separate items. Great swords or greatswords are related to the long swords of the Middle Ages. Posted by Will Cruse on 23rd Oct 2022 Cool and does the job. The 19cm grip is constructed from timber, covered in faux leather with a sewn seam which is then cord wrapped for extra strength. [8] During the first half of the 20th century, the term "bastard sword" was used regularly to refer to this type of sword.[9]. 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). Longsword, bastard sword, and hand-and-a-half sword are all names used to describe a variety of medieval European swords. There are two late examples of longswords kept in the Swiss National Museum, both with vertically grooved pommels and elaborately decorated with silver inlay, and both belonging to Swiss noblemen in French service during the late 16th and early 17th century, Gugelberg von Moos and Rudolf von Schauenstein. Leather Wrapped Handle. If a warrior was facing archers, for instance, he may wield the hand-and-a-half sword with one hand while using his other hand to hold a shield. The Scabbard All Hanwei western medieval swords come with a nicely made scabbard. 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. Honestly, your best bet for undestanding the dimensions of a historically accurate sword would be to have a look at museum pieces and moder. [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). The tip of the sword blade is . The weapon was used in the half-sword, with one or both hands on the blade. A longsword (long sword) is any sword that is generally wielded with two hands. Jian (simplified Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: jin; Cantonese: gim) is a double-edged straight sword used during the last 2,500 years in China. Print ; $299-$141. We offer an array of these swords. The guard is also cast of the same extremely hard stainless steel alloy. 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 These are all in reference to swords commonly called hand and a half swords or longswords today. the same height as the user) such as the Oakeshott type XIIa or Oakeshott type XIIIa. 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.) They possess an elongated grip which can easily accommodate both hands but they are generally well balanced enough to be wielded in one hand. Hand-and-a-half swords initially had a plain crossguard but later featured extensive hand guards. were used to label weapons of similar appearance but of different historical periods, regional cultures and fabrication technology. [citation needed] In French, estoc also means thrust or point; and estoc et taille means cut and thrust. Still, some sources show them used with bucklers or spiked shields in judicial duels, though the latter was unusual. Total Length: 1060mm; Blade Length: 790mm ; Hilt Length: 270mm ; Guard Width: 255mm ; Total Weight: 765g; View All Close. [6] Historical European Martial Arts associations have turned the term spada da lato[7] into "side-sword". Hand and a half swords are basically the historically correct terminology for a long sword, it's a sword that can be two handed or one handed depending on your needs, it only weighs like a pound and a half so it's super easy to handle. These are referred to by a variety of names and include Langschwert, spadone or spada longa, grootzwaard, pe btarde, and bastard sword. From the late 15th century, however, it is also attested as being worn and used by unarmoured soldiers or mercenaries. 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, 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. 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. The "longsword" type exists in a morphological continuum with . These long-gripped weapons were ideal for thrusting at small gaps in armor when the typical slashing sword could not chop through it. 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. 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. 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. SPADA DI STOCCO. SWORD, late 14th century, . Blade Length: 107.3 cm (42 1/4 in.) Factory SecondsLoose Cross Guard, Tight Fit in Scabbard Based on a Medieval European Hand and Half, or "Bastard" sword, with stainless steel cross guard and wheel pommel. 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 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. 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. (2012). 3 lb. Grip Length: 7.5 inches; Overall Length: 46.5 inches; Blade thickness (base): 4.6 mm; Blade thickness (1" from tip): 3.0 mm; Guard Width: 10 inches; Sword 5 - 15th Century Hand and a Half Sword. Includes a leather belt frog and scabbard with belt stop. In medieval fight books, the crossguard and pommel can be used for striking. 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. The hand and a half length handle is 10 inches. Access this answer and support the author as a Quora+ subscriber [citation needed] It is thought to have appeared in France and spread quickly across the rest of Europe. The grip of the hand and a half sword was long enough to accommodate one hand or two hands when used in combat. Special Properties None Base Damage: 1d10 Base Critical Threat: 19-20/x2 Base Damage Type: Slashing Weapon Size: Medium Feats Required: Exotic Item Code: nw_wswbs001 Return to Top Bastard Sword +1 They had handles of roughly 17 to 25 centimeters (7 to 10 inches), excluding pommels, and weighed about 3 to 4 pounds. Their defining characteristics is that they have three fullers, a shallow central fuller running along half the blade's length, with two shallow parallel fullers along the first quarter. Cod. [17][18] Use of the longsword in attack was not limited only to use of the blade, however, as several Fechtbcher explain and depict use of the pommel and cross as offensive weapons. The German langes schwert ("long sword") in 15th and 16th-century manuals does not denote a type of weapon, but the technique of fencing with both hands at the hilt, contrasting with kurzes schwert ("short sword") used of fencing with the same weapon, but with one hand gripping the blade (also known as a half-sword).[11][12]. [citation needed]. Properties. Hand and a Half Sword 88HNH medieval bastard sword by Cold Steel. 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. [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]. In the Oakeshott typology of blade morphology, "longswords" figure as a range of sub-types of the corresponding single-handed sword types.[16]. [8] In comparison, a shortsword's blade is about 12 to 20 inches (30 to 50 cm). 5, which scholars have dated back to between 1100 and 1200 due to the hilt style and specific taper, but swords like this remain incredibly rare, and are not representative of an identifiable trend before the late 13th or early 14th century. A longsword typically features a blade with a length of approximately 33 to 41 inches (85 to 110 cm). 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. The German school of swordsmanship includes the earliest known longsword Fechtbuch, a manual from approximately 1389, known as GNM 3227a. This type of sword had a thickened back to the blade (opposite the cutting edge), which gave the blade strength. Overall 39 inches. The long hilt 10-15 inches in length mainly distinguishes the bastard sword from other medieval swords. 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. "[20] Espe bastarde could also historically refer to a single-handed sword with a fairly long blade compared to other short swords. The Cold Steel Kris series, which includes a sword and dagger, is something we hope all . Types XVIIIb and XVIIIc represent the later longswords of the mid-15th to early 16th centuries. The waisted grip, featuring a wider center tapering toward the pommel, allowed better control of the weapon. One-handed swords are shorter and lighter, but they allow the user to wield a second weapon or shield. A longsword typically features a blade with a length of approximately 33 to 41 inches (85 to 110 cm). 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 falchion (French braquemart,[52] Spanish bracamarte) proper is a wide straight-bladed but curved edged hanger or long knife. These techniques could be nearly instantly fatal or incapacitating, as a thrust to the skull, heart, or major blood vessel would cause massive trauma. SBCM-MAS-RED 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. HAND AND A HALF SWORD. Two-Hander Longsword DJ Combat Two-Hander Longsword (2 reviews) Write a Review SKU: DD-W-206 $110.00 Quantity: Description Specifications Made from polypropylene. 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. [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 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. 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 sword is made of carbon steel with a Rockwell hardness of HRC 54 ? 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. The basket-hilted sword is a sword type of the early modern era characterised by a basket-shaped guard that protects the hand. The "longsword" type exists in a morphological continuum with the medieval knightly sword and the Renaissance-era Zweihnder. 100-122 cm (39-48 in) Width. ; M. Rector, Trans.). They have a 2 inch guard width and 0.24 inch guard thickness. Often also referred to as a hand-and-a-half sword. By the 15th century, larger and heavier swords had been developed, including the 'Bastard' or 'Hand-and-a-half' sword. [17]:plate 58 Some manuals even depict the cross as a hammer. 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. This is the classic one-handed sword used by knights and was often used in conjunction with a shield. It allowed more accurate and powerful thrusts against armored opponents. Leather / Wood Scabbard with Steel Fittings. 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]. Blade: 5160 High Carbon Steel. As with our single-hand broadswords above these weapons are custom made. A term that was coined by Italian curators. All parts of the sword are used for offensive purposes, including the pommel and crossguard. The hilt has a leather covered hardwood grip and forged hand guard. The Scottish name "claymore" (Scottish Gaelic: claidheamh mr, lit. In the UK, the swords were supposedly weapons of a long dead great grandfather in British Navy. Longswords or . The specific term used to describe these swords in period varied by region as listed above.