Sharps

Based on Original: Circa 1380-1410 Italian, Private Collection

Overall length: 37.5"

Blade Length: 31"

Blade Width: 2"

Guard Width: 8.6"

Grip Length: 4.5"

Balance Point: 3.25"

Weight: 2.6 lbs

This sword is typified as an Oakeshott Type XV of classic form by its tapering stout blade, wheel pommel and straight cross guard. A style of sword that was popular with the fighting men of Southern and Eastern Europe from the 13th to the 15th Century. There are many examples illustrated in Italian art of first half of the 15th Century in particular.

This sword would have been an excellent weapon for a Knight of the period with a strong blade well suited to the thrust as well as the cut. Period fight manuals, such as the Flower of Battle by Fiore dei Liberi depict just such swords.

The pommel of the original sword was inset with a copper coin depicting the Duke of Urbino. While our supply of 14th century copper coins does not allow us to include one, you may want to add your own decoration to the pommel by gluing something into the insets as they did on the original.

Based on Original: Circa 1480-1510, Private Collection

• Overall Length: 44"

• Blade Length: 36.5"

• Blade Width: 1.75"

• Quillon Width: 8"

• Grip Length: 5"

• Balance Point: 6.38"

• Weight: 2.6 lbs

This broadsword exhibits a hexagonal cross-sectioned blade with a narrow fuller down the forte. The thickness of the blade dramatically tapers to the point to give an excellent balance for the cut; a detail often missed by many modern manufacturers. This style of sword was popular in the late 12th and early 13th centuries and again in the later part of the 15th century, when this sword was made. The furniture on this sword illustrates the writhen or twisted branch like forms favored by the craftsmen of central Europe. The grip is hardwood covered in leather with a stitched seam and shrunk to fit the elegantly shaped handle.

Based on Original: dated circa 960 AD - 1035 AD, Anglo-Saxon. Find place: Thames at Wandsworth, Museum of London A2373.

• Overall length: 34.5"

• Blade length: 29.2"

• Blade width: 2.2"

• Balance point: 5.8"

• Weight: 2.1 lbs

This reproduction is based on an Anglo-Saxon sword from about the year 1000. This sword was found in riverbed of the Thames in two parts near Putney, south west of London. It is often referred to as the Wandsworth sword. The upper and lower guards are curved in shape and the pommel is of the three lobed variety made of two pieces. We have chosen to do the pommel in the same way with an upper half formed of three lobes and the lower half a curved shaped the mirrors the guard.

This sword is dated to a time of struggle in the history of England. The clash of the Kingdom of Wessex and the Danelaw was ongoing throughout the period. The raiding of the coast by the Danish starting at the end of the 10th Century added to the troubles. There was quite a bit of conflict and a good sword would have been in high demand.

The original has a blade inlaid with INGELRII on one face and two groups of three bars on the opposite. There are many swords with such inscriptions in the blade from this period. They where made in many locals and almost certainly had significant meaning to those who produced and owned these weapons.

The modern person often finds the hilts of these swords to be unique in handling. There is a great discussion here about how these swords where wielded. This Type X blade makes for a sword that feels quite light in the hand. It would be excellent for the style of combat of its day. Here are two interesting sources for what the combat of this type may well have looked like Hurstwic Sword and Shield Combat and Dimicator on Facebook.

Based on Original: Circa 1480-1520 Irish, Provenance Unknown

Overall Length: 37.4"

Blade Length: 31.5"

Blade Width: 1.75"

Quillon Width: 9.1"

Grip Length: 3"

Balance Point: 5.25"

Weight: 2.5 lbs / 1134 gr

This is a purely Irish design and one of only a few types of sword which can be attributed to a specific nationality. It's a unique design, highlighted by a spatulated crossguard and a pommel constructed as a ring with the tang passing through it. A rare sword for any collection.

The style of sword was carried by the Irish fighters in their homeland and as mercenary soldiers on the continent. They had aquired a fearsome reputation as stealthy fighters. Probably in no small part to their constant practice of cattle raiding back home.

The unquie pommel design is probably a development from the normal wheel pommel style. Some of these where made as a heavy ring with face plates. If the face plates are left off this structure you would have a ring for a pommel.

Based on Original: Circa 1450-1500, Italian, private collection.

Overall length: 37.4"

Blade Length: 31.9"

Blade Width: 1.6"

Guard Width: 6.3"

Grip Length: 3.2"

Balance Point: 4.5"

Weight: 2.4 lbs

An elegant and deadly single-handed sword of the 15th Century, replicated from an original most likely made in southern Europe. This sword is capable of solid cuts and accurate thrusts from its Type XVIII blade. Seen in art of the period on the hip of soldiers and lords alike, this form of sword is similar to an example from the famous Dordogne river find of swords.

The stout wheel pommel and short straight guard frame a grip designed to be held so the hand has contact with the furniture. This allows the back of the hand to power movements of the blade, especially when using the back edge attacks. Use of the sword in one hand like this is described in the manuals of the period and excellent examples of how that is done can be found on the excellent blog and site at Dimicator Medieval Swordplay. 

We have titled this sword Fornovo after The Battle of Fornovo, in 1495, an engagement that well could have seen this sword in use by the invading French forces or their Venetian opponents and allies.