Our Medieval Hand and a Half Sword with Blunted Blade is a Battle Ready sword designed to be used for Stage Combat. The backsword was a single-edged, straight-bladed sword, typically for military use. Some had broad parallel edges to those with acute tapers from the guard to a spike like point and many variations in between. It was "[a sword] which was neither French, nor Spanish, nor properly Landsknecht [German], but longer than any of these sturdy swords. The hand-and-a-half swords had straight, double-edged blades. [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. For example, 'longsword' is related to the German 'langshwert', and 'bastard sword' from the French 'pe btarde',but they all refer to the same basic form, a double edged sword with a grip large enough to be used with two hands. 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. Sword Length: 42 5/8". Origins of the Hand-and-a-Half-Sword Hand-and-a-Half Sword. This hand-and-half sword has a sharpened, darkened 1065 high carbon steel blade with an extra-wide tang. 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. Sword Mounting Hand-and-a-half swords can be used with one or both hands as needed in combat. The khopesh is an ancient Egyptian curved short sword with a length of approx. Weapon: A Visual History of Arms and Armor, Williams, G. (2014). 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. The point would be to hold the grip with one hand at the top of the grip, and one hand at the bottom. Quantity. These swords were too heavy to be wielded one-handed and possessed a large grip for leverage. The weapon may be held with one hand during disarmament or grappling techniques. Their handles have recognizable waist and bottle shapes which give a comfortable hold of the weapon. 120-150 cm (47-59 in), blade length: avg. Sword 5 - 15th Century Hand and a Half 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. [2] Navigation menu . Longsword, bastard sword, and hand-and-a-half sword are all names used to describe a variety of medieval European swords. 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]. The 1410 manuscript by Fiore dei Liberi presents a variety of uses for the longsword. The falchion (French braquemart,[52] Spanish bracamarte) proper is a wide straight-bladed but curved edged hanger or long knife. The Filipino islands are widely known for their vast assortment of edged weapons. [19], What is known of combat with the longsword comes from artistic depictions of battle from manuscripts and the Fechtbcher of Medieval and Renaissance Masters. Cod. From cut to thrust: The, Hand-and-a-Half Sword vs. Buy the medieval Albrecht Hand-and-a-Half Swords for $ 299.99. "large/great sword")[16][17] can refer to either the longsword with a distinctive two-handed grip, or the basket-hilted sword. 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. 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. [24] The pe de passot was the sidearm of the franc-archers (French or Breton bowmen of the 15th and 16th centuries). . The English language terminology used in the classification of swords is imprecise and has varied widely over time. Rather, it's intended to be used with either one hand or both, depending on the user's preferences and the circumstances in which he or she is using it. Hand-and-a half varieties typically have a blade length between 30 and 34 inches and weigh between 2 and 4 pounds. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Jian (simplified Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: jin; Cantonese: gim) is a double-edged straight sword used during the last 2,500 years in China. Answer (1 of 2): I'll apologize be as I'm long-winded and cover a lot of ground. In comparison, a shortsword's blade is about 12 to 20 inches (30 to 50 cm). The backsword blade was cheaper to manufacture than a two-edged blade. Top is some kind of dress sword, bottom is cavalry saber? 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. The hand-and-a-half sword is particularly versatile in this regard. The hilt has a leather covered hardwood grip and forged hand guard. . [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). Bastard Sword. Similarly, strong strikes could cut through skin and bone, effectively amputating limbs. Add to cart. Blofechten (blosz fechten) or "bare fighting" is the technique of fighting without significant protective armour such as plate or mail. The hand-and-a-half swords had long, slender blades and sharp points that could penetrate the gaps in the opponents armor. "arming sword", "broadsword", "long sword", etc.) [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. Hand and a half swords is a modern term to describe bastard swords but it is used in reference to long swords. 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; 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. 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 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. A term that was coined by Italian curators. The #034 Black Prince a Type XVa Longsword, Durer Bastard Sword #195 a Type XVIII Longsword. 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. 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. Today, it is among the most common weapons used in HEMA. Bastard medieval swords, also known as hand-and-a-half swords, are surprisingly diverse weapons. [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". [citation needed] In French, estoc also means thrust or point; and estoc et taille means cut and thrust. SBCM-MAS-RED 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). 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. were used to label weapons of similar appearance but of different historical periods, regional cultures and fabrication technology. A nonce attestation of "long-sword" in the sense of "heavy two-handed sword" is found in, Systematic use of the term only from 2001 beginning with, Oakeshott's Typology of the Medieval Sword A Summary, "Medieval and Renaissance Fencing Terminology", "Study of the Destructive Capabilities of the European Longsword", "The Two-Handed Great Sword Making lite of the issue of weight", "Oakeshott's Typology of the Medieval Sword: A Summary", Halflang and Tua Handit: Hand-and-a-Half and Two-Handed Scottish Swords, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Longsword&oldid=1141836737, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox weapon with unknown parameters, Articles containing Portuguese-language text, Articles containing Spanish-language text, Articles containing Italian-language text, Articles containing Scottish Gaelic-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Types XIIa and XIIIa represent the Great Sword or War Sword type used in the later 13th and in the 14th century. 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]. These days, the term longsword most frequently refers to a late Medieval and Renaissance weapon designed for use with two hands. [5]:130 These all seem to have originated in Bavaria and in Switzerland. 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. 1400-1430 On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 373. 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. [17]:plates 128150, Another variation of use comes from the use of armour. Peso g 1400 . (2012). Blade Length: 107.3 cm (42 1/4 in.) The term referred to a medieval single-handed sword optimized for thrusting. Their specially shaped grips, usually bottle-shaped or waisted, gave better control and hold of the weapon. Apparently, many swords were designed for left-hand use, although left-handed swords have been described as "a rarity".[12]. We offer an array of these swords. There is no historical Italian equivalent to the English word "rapier". They are a sub-class . 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 In the years to follow, however, the sword later became known as a "bastard sword." They represent larger versions of type XII and type XIII swords which were the standard. [49] Modern versions of the katana are sometimes made using non-traditional materials and methods. Pen & Sword Books Limited. The hand-and-a-half sword had a size between a one-handed sword and a two-handed sword. The longsword, greatsword and bastard-sword were also made in Spain, appearing relatively late, known as the espadon, the montante and bastarda or espada de mano y media respectively. A longsword (also spelled long sword, long-sword) is a type of European sword characterized as having a cruciform hilt with a grip for two handed use and a straight double-edged blade of around 100 to 122 cm (39 to 48 in . Two handed jians from the time of the Chu and Han Dynasty were up to 150cm (58in) long. These long-gripped weapons were ideal for thrusting at small gaps in armor when the typical slashing sword could not chop through it. In some instances, the crossguard could hook the shield or the weapon away and even trip the enemy. Classically simple in design with a flattened diamond-section blade and cruciform hilt, the original dates from the early part of the 15th century. 2023, Arms & Armor The hand-and-a-half sword also belongs to Oakeshott types XVIa, XVII, and XVIIIa. Important sources for rapier fencing include the Italian Bolognese group, with early representatives such as Antonio . Use in the Inheritance cycle ca. They have a flattened diamond cross-section, often with pronounced mid-rib, some being hollow-ground. The 34 inch blade on that tends to be like 2 inches wide and 6mm+ thick and tapering . 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. Product description. The French pe de passot may also refer to a medieval single-handed sword optimized for thrusting. By the 15th century, larger and heavier swords had been developed, including the 'Bastard' or 'Hand-and-a-half' sword. 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. 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. 20-30 Inches (1) 30-40 Inches (6) 40-50 Inches (35) 50-60 Inches (2 . Optimized for armored combat, their blades were steeply pointed, suggesting that their primary function was to pierce armor. Tough, rigid and durable. 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). 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 terms of blade typology, they do not form a single category. [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. [8] Landesbib. However, the grete war sword should not be confused with the extremely large great swords of the Renaissance that required the use of two hands. GOTHIC HAND AND A HALF SWORD. [25] The term passot comes from the fact that these swords passed (passaient) the length of a "normal" short sword. The arming sword, also called the knightly sword, had a short grip and was designed to be wielded with one hand. "[20] Espe bastarde could also historically refer to a single-handed sword with a fairly long blade compared to other short swords. Suitable for martial arts training, film props etc. The basket-hilted sword is a sword type of the early modern era characterised by a basket-shaped guard that protects the hand. (J. L. Forgeng, Trans.). Hand and a Half Sword 88HNH medieval bastard sword by Cold Steel. The Elizabethan long sword (cf. Hand-and-a-Half Style Hilt Padded Leather Grip Tapered Blade for Slashing or Thrusting Now Available in Standard or Fully Tempered Carbon Steel Blade Full Tang Models on Sale To Order Model No. It remains identifiable as a type during the period of about 1350 to 1550. #4. They had handles of roughly 17 to 25 centimeters (7 to 10 inches), excluding pommels, and weighed about 3 to 4 pounds. These are referred to by a variety of names and include Langschwert, spadone or spada longa, grootzwaard, pe btarde, and bastard sword. In southern Germany, it persisted into the 1560s, but its use also declined during the second half of the 16th century. 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. These are double-edged, usually straight bladed swords, designed for optimized balance, reach and versatility. For example, there is a longsword in The Glasgow Art and History Museum, Labelled XIIIa. 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. 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.) Historical one-handed versions have blades varying from 45 to 80 centimeters (18 to 31 inches) in length. $440. The tip of the sword blade is . Sword 5 - 15th Century Hand and a Half Sword. By the second half of the 16th century, it persisted mostly as a weapon for sportive competition (Schulfechten), and possibly in knightly duels. The hand and a half length handle is 10 inches. Two-handed swords, on the other hand, are long and heavy, making them particularly effective at dealing critical blows. Scabbard. Historical terms without a universal consensus of definition (i.e. Weight 1700 g. 5144. This sword is an extremely well proportioned and elegant example of a type that was in use throughout Western Europe from the late fourteenth through the fifteenth century. 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. Historical terms (15th to 16th century) for this type of sword included the Italian spada longa (lunga) and French pe longue. Traditional vs Modern Differential Hardening for Swords. The arming sword was the most used sword type in the medieval period. Kodachi vs Wakizashi: What's the Difference? Longswords have straight, double-edged blades and are small enough to be drawn from the belt. One-handed swords are shorter and lighter, but they allow the user to wield a second weapon or shield. Hand-and-a-half swords have special half-grips that can be used with either one or both hands. Properties. The term "single-handed sword" (or "one-handed sword") is a retronym coined to disambiguate from "two-handed" or "hand-and-a-half" specimens. 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. 30-40 Inches (3) 40-50 Inches (21) 50-60 Inches (2) Product Includes. It could also be used one-handed against lightly armored archers from horseback and two-handed for thrusting attacks against heavily armored opponents. Total Length: 1060mm; Blade Length: 790mm ; Hilt Length: 270mm ; Guard Width: 255mm ; Total Weight: 765g; View All Close. 44. They have a 2 inch guard width and 0.24 inch guard thickness. 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). Hand-and-a-half swords can be used with one or both hands as needed in combat. [17]:1516 The blade was generally used with both hands on the hilt, one resting close to or on the pommel. However they mainly saw prominence outside the battlefield as a duelling weapon. The medieval longsword could include the earlier grete war swords, hand-and-a-half or bastard swords, and estocs. [citation needed]. [27][28][29][self-published source? The last known German manual to include longsword teaching was that of Jakob Sutor, published in 1612. Scabbards protected the sword from dampness, rain, and were typically reinforced by a metal chape at the tip. 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. They were made from wood, lined with cloth, and bound in leather. A longsword typically features a blade with a length of approximately 33 to 41 inches (85 to 110 cm). 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. 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. SWORD, late 14th century, . Some historians believe that it was primarily used in war and not an everyday weapon of the knight. Some had straight or curved quillons (arms of the crossguard), side rings, finger rings, and loop-back guards. Warspike Knight's Hand-and-a-Half (Bastard) Sword $95 In Stock! Tony Willis, "A Pair of Scottish Swords", Learn how and when to remove this template message, List of premodern combat weapons Swords, "Pappenheimer | Define Pappenheimer at Dictionary.com", "SOCIETY:: WEAPONS:: THRUSTING AND CUTTING WEAPONS [1] image - Visual Dictionary Online", "Search Chambers - Free English Dictionary", "A Perfect Length II: The Longsword | Encased in Steel", "Sword types in prize playing - The Association for Renaissance Martial Arts", "The Raymond J. Lord Collection of Historical Combat Treatises and fencing manuals: Terms of Use", "dictionary:: Panzerstecher [Blankwaffe]:: German-English translation", "Philadelphia Museum of Art - Collections Object: Tuck (Panzerstecher)", "Hermann Historica - Internationales Auktionshaus fr Antiken, Alte Wa", "Glossaire archologique du Moyen Age et de la Renaissance", "Ethnographic Arms & Armour - Article: Notes on development of modern sabers - Role of Eastern Europe & the Hussars", "Stradioti: Balkan Mercenaries In Fifteenth And Sixteenth Century Italy", "estradiot: dfinition de estradiot, citations, exemples et usage pour estradiot dans le dictionnaire de franais Littr adapt du grand dictionnaire de la langue franaise d'Emile Littr", Best and most powerful martial arts, fight science, Top Quality Bokken/ Katana Sword available for Martial Arts training, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Classification_of_swords&oldid=1128493319, Articles that may contain original research from October 2012, All articles that may contain original research, Articles with disputed statements from August 2013, Articles containing Scottish Gaelic-language text, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2012, Articles containing Chinese-language text, Articles containing Italian-language text, Articles containing simplified Chinese-language text, Articles containing traditional Chinese-language text, Articles containing Yue Chinese-language text, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2013, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2014, Articles with self-published sources from August 2022, Articles containing Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text, Articles containing Japanese-language text, Articles containing Spanish-language text, Articles containing Old High German (ca. Some advantages over wooden training gear are, Durability - Won't split, rot or splinter. 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. Benefits of Using a Hand-and-a-Half-Sword. They possess an elongated grip which can easily accommodate both hands but they are generally well balanced enough to be wielded in one hand. 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 . Powered by Shopify. The weapon was used in the half-sword, with one or both hands on the blade. Though deemed a Hand and a Half sword, this sword has a grip length and handling characteristics that would be fitting for a longsword. From the late 15th century, however, it is also attested as being worn and used by unarmoured soldiers or mercenaries. In modern history, many of these terms have been given specific, often arbitrary meanings that are unrelated to any of their historical meanings. The steeply pointed blade, indicating that it was primarily intended . Honshu Damascus Broadsword With Sheath - Damascus Steel Blade, TPR Handle, Stainless Steel Pommel - Length 43 1/2". The waisted grip, featuring a wider center tapering toward the pommel, allowed better control of the weapon.