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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. In later usage, 'cutlass' referred to the short naval boarding sabre. The term "hand-and-a-half sword" is modern (late 19th century). [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. They were made from wood, lined with cloth, and bound in leather. 3 European single handed sword. The #034 Black Prince a Type XVa Longsword, Durer Bastard Sword #195 a Type XVIII Longsword. [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. 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. 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 This manual, unfortunately for modern scholars, was written in obscure verse. By the early 16th century, hand-and-a-half swords continued to be used by knights and men-at-arms in knightly duels and sporting competitions. These are all in reference to swords commonly called hand and a half swords or longswords today. The Cold Steel Kris series, which includes a sword and dagger, is something we hope all . "Single-handed sword" is used by Sir Walter Scott. 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. The Filipino islands are widely known for their vast assortment of edged weapons. Also, the hand on the blade increases its rigidity which is advantageous when thrusting. The intention of how to use the sword most likely dictated the way they were listed in inventories of the day. germ. The long grip gives the wielder plenty of leverage to maneuver the sword quickly and to strike decisively. An Italian Two-Hand Sword First Half Of The 16th Century. The hilt has a leather covered hardwood grip and forged hand guard. [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]. (M. Rector, Ed. The German school of swordsmanship includes the earliest known longsword Fechtbuch, a manual from approximately 1389, known as GNM 3227a. "Let thy (long) Rapier or (long) Sword be foure foote at the least, and thy dagger two foote." Product details: Length: 115.6 cm / Blade length: 85.10 cm / Grip length: 30.5 cm / Blade width at guard: 5.1 cm / Weight: 1389 g / Steel type: 1056 carbon steel, hardness 52-54 HRC . [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. SWORD, late 14th century, . This actually does help with defining how long the blade can be in relation t. 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. Made from 5160 high-carbon steel, this functional sword has a double-edge blade. Hans Talhoffer, a mid-15th-century German fightmaster, is probably the most prominent, using a wide variety of moves, most resulting in wrestling. Overall lenght 118,5 cm - Wheight 1300 g. 5152 . Their handles have recognizable waist and bottle shapes which give a comfortable hold of the weapon. Hand and a half swords is a modern term to describe bastard swords but it is used in reference to long swords. Weapon: A Visual History of Arms and Armor, Williams, G. (2014). In comparison, a shortsword's blade is about 12 to 20 inches (30 to 50 cm). Ewart Oakeshott distinguishes twelve different types. Another technique would be the Mordstreich (lit. More . They are a sub-class . 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 sword tends to have a guard that is slightly loose. For example, there is a longsword in The Glasgow Art and History Museum, Labelled XIIIa. Some historians believe that it was primarily used in war and not an everyday weapon of the knight. Venezia, fine secolo XV. ; M. Rector, Trans.). In the UK, the swords were supposedly weapons of a long dead great grandfather in British Navy. 2023, Arms & Armor 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. The idea for the spatha came from the swords of ancient Celts in Germany and Britain. Blade Length: 34 1/2" Handle Length: 11 1/2" Weight: 3 lb 8 oz Point of Balance: 3 1/2" Blade Steel: 5160 Scabbard. Answer (1 of 2): I'll apologize be as I'm long-winded and cover a lot of ground. 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. "large/great sword")[16][17] can refer to either the longsword with a distinctive two-handed grip, or the basket-hilted sword. 452. The groin and throat were among the favourite targets. [5], The term "hand-and-a-half sword" is relatively modern (from the late 19th century);[6] And this is why it remains a popular sword type even after all of those years. As a history enthusiast, Abigail loves learning about the events that shaped the world. [44], The "tuck" (French estoc, Italian stocco)[citation needed] is an edgeless blade of square or triangular cross-section used for thrusting. With broad blade double-edged over half its length to the reinforced point and with pierced central fuller bordered by incised lines on each side and interrupted by small circular piercings, long ricasso in two stages with pierced and fluted fullers en suite . [5]:133[15] CAS Hanwei Hand-and-a-Half Sword SH2034 Brand: CAS Hanwei $40399 About this item Authentic replica of Museum Piece Fully functional Overall length: 44 1/2" Product Description The Hand-and-a-Half Sword is replicated from a sword thought to be that of Albrecht II of Austria and represents the pinnacle of beauty and balance in medieval swords. Scabbards protected the sword from dampness, rain, and were typically reinforced by a metal chape at the tip. As with our single-hand broadswords above these weapons are custom made. A channel ran down about half of the blade. Add to cart. This was the most common longsword up to the late 13th century CE. Types XVIIIb and XVIIIc represent the later longswords of the mid-15th to early 16th centuries. Historical one-handed versions have blades varying from 45 to 80 centimeters (18 to 31 inches) in length. Medieval Longsword, Xiphos Sword: Facts About the Leaf-Bladed Greek Sword, Your Ultimate Guide to the European Smallsword, Gladius Sword: A Guide on the Roman Short Sword, Claymore: A Guide to Popular Scottish Sword, The Historically Authentic Executioner Sword, Flamberge: A Guide to the Flame-Bladed Swords. HAND AND A HALF SWORD. 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. [13] The term "broadsword" was never used historically to describe the one-handed arming sword. Longswords have straight, double-edged blades and are small enough to be drawn from the belt. Apart from being a writer, she also dabbles in fashion modeling and acting. This probably represents the differing tastes of current sword buyers from those of the Middle Ages. The weapon may be held with one hand during disarmament or grappling techniques. $349.99. Similarly, strong strikes could cut through skin and bone, effectively amputating limbs. 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. Honestly, your best bet for undestanding the dimensions of a historically accurate sword would be to have a look at museum pieces and moder. Historical terminology overlaps with that applied to the Zweihnder sword in the 16th century: French espadon, Spanish espadn, or Portuguese montante may also be used more narrowly to refer to these large swords. Most longswords were made between the mid-14th century and the mid-16th century, and most of these measure approximately 120-150 cm overall (100-120 cm blade length) and weigh an average 1.5 kg. The long hilt 10-15 inches in length mainly distinguishes the bastard sword from other medieval swords. Sword 5 - 15th Century Hand and a Half Sword. [3] Jun 13, 2018. It was "[a sword] which was neither French, nor Spanish, nor properly Landsknecht [German], but longer than any of these sturdy swords. Top is some kind of dress sword, bottom is cavalry saber? Since it has no legitimate claim to being a member of either weapon family, it has earned the name bastard sword. 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. . A longsword, hand and a half sword or bastard sword is a long, symmetrical sword with a cruciform (cross-shaped) hilt, and a double-edged blade tapered to a sharp point for thrusting. Modern replica longswords cover many of these diverse types, though certainstyles are less well represented in the current market place. The names derive from words popular at different times and places. The steeply pointed blade, indicating that it was primarily intended . $269.99 $211.98! [40][41][42] Early models were either two-handers or "hand-and-a-half" hilted,[43] while later 16th and 17th century models (also known as koncerz) were one-handed and used by cavalry. 8 . The French pe de passot may also refer to a medieval single-handed sword optimized for thrusting. The last known German manual to include longsword teaching was that of Jakob Sutor, published in 1612. So, what benefits (if any) does a hand-and-a-half sword offer? Therein the basics of combat were described and, in some cases, depicted. 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. 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. Handle Length. Hand and a Half Sword 88HNH medieval bastard sword by Cold Steel. A defining characteristic of the sword isn't the overall length, it's the length of the handle. The hilts (handles) range from 8 to 16 inches long to provide room for gauntleted hands. A hand-and-a-half sword, however, falls somewhere between these two, with an average blade length of about 22 to 30 inches. . 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. Most were better suited for thrusting, but others were also designed for more cutting. What's in a name? Leadingthe research, replication and understanding ofarms and armor for over 37 years, creating exceptional items for those who appreciate history and its material culture. Two handed jians from the time of the Chu and Han Dynasty were up to 150cm (58in) long. 5060cm long and typically made of bronze or iron. The grip was somewhat larger than the grip of a one-handed sword so that . 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." Longswords or . [8] They represent larger versions of type XII and type XIII swords which were the standard. The grip of the hand and a half sword was long enough to accommodate one hand or two hands when used in combat. Jian (simplified Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: jin; Cantonese: gim) is a double-edged straight sword used during the last 2,500 years in China. Sign up for our mailing-list and be alerted to new products, special sales, limited product availability, and more. The name hand-and-a-half is not a historical term. 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. The arming sword was the most used sword type in the medieval period. Kodachi vs Wakizashi: What's the Difference? 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. Fully functional medieval battle ready sword. 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. Bastard Sword Sren Niedziella from Denmark . 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. Leather Wrapped Handle. 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. Important sources for rapier fencing include the Italian Bolognese group, with early representatives such as Antonio . After a Brief exchange with the Questioner in another answer, I have gotten an approximation of what recurve profile has been asked upon. 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. [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). 44. Longsword, bastard sword, and hand-and-a-half sword are all names used to describe a variety of medieval European swords. 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. Both schools declined in the late 16th century, with the later Italian masters forgoing the longsword and focusing primarily on rapier fencing. 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. They run 3 pounds plus, but you wonder how much of that weight is in the basket hilt, etc.? 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 Scabbard All Hanwei western medieval swords come with a nicely made scabbard. Today, it is among the most common weapons used in HEMA. Advantages of Hand-and-a-Half Swords SPADA DI STOCCO. The 34 inch blade on that tends to be like 2 inches wide and 6mm+ thick and tapering . [9] These are single-cutting edged, usually thick or curved construction bladed swords, typically designed for slashing, chopping, severing limbs, tripping or broad sweeping techniques; but were often very poorly designed for stabbing. Some of these terms originate contemporaneously with the weapons which they describe. search . These swords have long cruciform hilts with grips over 10 to 15 inches in length, which provide room for two hands. On the other hand, the term hand-and-a-half tends to describe later types of longswords with sharply tapering blades and specially shaped grips widely used in the 15th and 16th centuries. The blade could range between 0.5 and 1m (1ft 8in and 3ft 3in) long while the handle was usually between 18 and 20cm (7 and 8in). Many different swords fall into this category and many of them are as maneuverable as they are surprisingly sturdy. This type includes the 14th to 15th century "hand and a half sword" or "two-handed" swords, often with two or more fullers. 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. whinyard, whinger, cuttoe), wood-knife, or hunting sword is a long knife or short sword that hangs from the belt and was popular as both a hunting tool and weapon of war.[50][51]. Over the next several centuries blade shapes varied but we see these swords in two hands being used across the Europe. Blade Length: 107.3 cm (42 1/4 in.) You've landed on the new (soon to be released) website for Arms & Armor. The two terms are largely equivalent to "unarmoured fighting" (blossfechten) and "armoured fencing" (fechten im harnisch). 1101 Stinson Blvd. 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. These are all in reference to swords commonly called hand and a half swords or longswords today. This hand-and-half sword has a sharpened, darkened 1065 high carbon steel blade with an extra-wide tang. These are referred to by a variety of names and include Langschwert, spadone or spada longa, grootzwaard, pe btarde, and bastard sword. 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 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". We offer an array of these 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. Sponsored. Frontline Books. More details . 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. The hand and a half length handle is 10 inches. Weight 1700 g. 5144. 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. By the second half of the 16th century, it persisted mostly as a weapon for sportive competition (Schulfechten), and possibly in knightly duels. All of these types can be classified in some of their forms as Longsword, Bastard Sword and Hand and a Half swords. Among most Greek warriors, this weapon had an iron blade of about 60 centimetres. Theme by Safe As Milk. Distinct "bastard sword" hilt types developed during the first half of the 16th century. 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. 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], 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. 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.) Daggers were loot/spoils. Shes particularly interested in the rise and fall of empires, accounts of war and conquest, and ancient and classical history. Quantity. 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. Early depictions of a sword in two hands show swords such as the A&A Hungarian Sword used to deliver these blows. 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. Its handle featured a waisted shape, tapering towards shorter, thinner half-grips. In modern history, many of these terms have been given specific, often arbitrary meanings that are unrelated to any of their historical meanings. The fighter could attempt to hit the opponent in the face using the pommel when wrestling with the sword, disarm, or throw him. The cross sections of the blades also varied a great deal. 20-30 Inches (1) 30-40 Inches (6) 40-50 Inches (35) 50-60 Inches (2 . Like the German manuals, the weapon is most commonly depicted and taught with both hands on the hilt. [17]:plates 128150, Another variation of use comes from the use of armour. Ships in 3-7 days. The "longsword" type exists in a morphological continuum with . From the late 15th century, however, it is also attested as being worn and used by unarmoured soldiers or mercenaries. 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. [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 hand-and-a-half sword is particularly versatile in this regard. Type XVIIIc blades are somewhat broader and shorter (about 85cm), and sometimes have a short and narrow fuller. It is considered "The General of All Weapons". Beginning about 1520, the Swiss sabre (schnepf) in Switzerland began to replace the straight longsword, inheriting its hilt types, and the longsword had fallen out of use in Switzerland by 1550. 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. ca. The hand-and-a-half swords had straight, double-edged blades. 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. They had handles of roughly 17 to 25 centimeters (7 to 10 inches), excluding pommels, and weighed about 3 to 4 pounds. In terms of weight, a typical hand-and-a-half sword weighed roughly 2.4 to 4 pounds (1.1 to 1.8 kg). [5]:130 These all seem to have originated in Bavaria and in Switzerland. Leather / Wood Scabbard with Steel Fittings. The excellent balance and light weight make the Warspike an exceptional addition to any collection. [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. 4 European Single Hand-and-a-half Sword. It was not defined, as we do today, by specific lengths or forms. So, what exactly is a hand-and-a-half sword? The backsword was a single-edged, straight-bladed sword, typically for military use. 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 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. Pal. This is very popular . Ehhh, Xiphos were typically more of a shortsword, usually only about 24ish inches in length. When pike formations became common on battlefield tactics, ranged weapons proved more effective against pikemen, diminishing the advantages of hand-and-a-half swords. After looking around, we'd appreciate 2 minutes of your timeto answer 3 short questions about your experience.
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