It does not mean that these blades could not cut well, though they were less optimized for slashing. [8] During the first half of the 20th century, the term "bastard sword" was used regularly to refer to this type of sword.[9]. Bastard Sword. The hand-and-a-half sword also belongs to Oakeshott types XVIa, XVII, and XVIIIa. 4 European Single Hand-and-a-half Sword. Historical one-handed versions have blades varying from 45 to 80 centimeters (18 to 31 inches) in length. The weapon may be held with one hand during disarmament or grappling techniques. Hand-and-a-half swords varied in their blade length, usually ranging from 88 to 100 centimeters (35 to 40 inches). Properties. [24] The pe de passot was the sidearm of the franc-archers (French or Breton bowmen of the 15th and 16th centuries). This manual, unfortunately for modern scholars, was written in obscure verse. These swords are distinctly made for use in one or two hands and have the grip length and reach to be used as longswords as described in the material fromthe Liechtenauer tradition and Fiore de Libre. By the 15th century, larger and heavier swords had been developed, including the 'Bastard' or 'Hand-and-a-half' sword. Also, the hand on the blade increases its rigidity which is advantageous when thrusting. This versatility was unique, as multiple works hold that the longsword provided the foundations for learning a variety of other weapons including spears, staves, and polearms. 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. SPADA SCHIAVONESCA. Special, versatile (1d8) The middle ground between an arming sword and a longsword --sometimes called a "hand and a half sword"-- this blade's hilt is short enough to be used in one hand while also being long enough to warrant two hands if needed though it isn't as effective as a longsword . Pen & Sword Books Limited. Hand-and-a-Half Sword. 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. The bastard sword also had a long thin long blade that tapered into a point. It was prevalent during the late medieval and Renaissance periods (approximately 1350 to 1550), with early and late use reaching into the 12th and 17th centuries. The names derive from words popular at different times and places. Ehhh, Xiphos were typically more of a shortsword, usually only about 24ish inches in length. Knives such as the seax and other blades of similar length between 30 and 60cm (1 and 2ft) are sometimes construed as swords. The weapon was used in the half-sword, with one or both hands on the blade. It is considered "The General of All Weapons". 8 . Contents 1 History 2 Appearance 3 Etymology 4 Portrayal in adaptations 4.1 Peter Jackson's film trilogies 5 Reproductions 6 Translations 7 References Blade Length: 34 1/2" Handle Length: 11 1/2" Weight: 3 lb 8 oz Point of Balance: 3 1/2" Blade Steel: 5160 The point would be to hold the grip with one hand at the top of the grip, and one hand at the bottom. The Scottish name "claymore" (Scottish Gaelic: claidheamh mr, lit. Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more , The 4 Key Elements of a High-Quality Traditional Japanese Sword. If wielded in one hand, the hand-and-a-half sword functioned similarly to an arming sword, though its balance would be slightly different. 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. Others also had hexagonal cross-sections that cut poorly towards the tip. [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. It allowed more accurate and powerful thrusts against armored opponents. 2023, Arms & Armor In comparison, a shortsword's blade is about 12 to 20 inches (30 to 50 cm). Maximum Diameter: 4.2 cm (1 5/8 in.) The blade length is about 70 to 80 cm (28-32 inches). This type includes the 14th to 15th century "hand and a half sword" or "two-handed" swords, often with two or more fullers. Add to cart. Swords with exceptionally long hilts are found throughout the High Middle Ages. However, a section on one-handed use is among the volume and demonstrates the techniques and advantages, such as sudden additional reach, of single-handed longsword play. (M. Rector, Ed. 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 backsword blade was cheaper to manufacture than a two-edged blade. 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. Scabbards protected the sword from dampness, rain, and were typically reinforced by a metal chape at the tip. A hand-and-a-half sword can be anywhere from 3.5 to 4.5 feet long and generally weighs around 2-4 pounds. 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. 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. 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 The hand-and-a-half sword had a size between a one-handed sword and a two-handed sword. Others also had knuckle guards, particularly the Swiss style. Bastard swords are also known as hand-and-a-half swords, falling between the longsword and greatsword in length. Some had broad parallel edges to those with acute tapers from the guard to a spike like point and many variations in between. Fully functional medieval battle ready sword. this name was given because the balance of the sword made it usable in one hand, as well as two. The hand-and-a-half swords had straight, double-edged blades. This page was last edited on 27 February 2023, at 01:56. (J. L. Forgeng, Trans.). They are a sub-class . "[20] Espe bastarde could also historically refer to a single-handed sword with a fairly long blade compared to other short swords. 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. A channel ran down about half of the blade. 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 [26] Instead, the energy of the cut becomes essentially pure concussive energy. Since it has no legitimate claim to being a member of either weapon family, it has earned the name bastard sword. Print ; $299-$141. This actually does help with defining how long the blade can be in relation t. Hilt length: 34 cm (13 3/8") Pommel Length: 6.2 cm (2 7/16 in.) Powered by Shopify. Hand and a half swords is a modern term to describe bastard swords but it is used in reference to long swords. The basket hilt is a development of the quillons added to swords' crossguards since the Late Middle Ages. Early depictions of a sword in two hands show swords such as the A&A Hungarian Sword used to deliver these blows. They represent larger versions of type XII and type XIII swords which were the standard. It was "[a sword] which was neither French, nor Spanish, nor properly Landsknecht [German], but longer than any of these sturdy swords. A sword with a single hand grip length but longsword blade length The so called "hand and a half" swords Longswords/Greatswords that could be effectively used one handed but were usually used with both making it hard to describe as strictly a one hander or two hander J Jonathon Belt Joined Aug 20, 2011 Messages 40 Aug 14, 2013 #8 . Today, replicas have high-carbon steel blades, though the ones used in stage combat and reenactment have blunt edges. The guard is also cast of the same extremely hard stainless steel alloy. The increased defensive capability of a man clad in full plate armour caused the use of the sword to be drastically changed. The Elizabethan long sword (cf. After a Brief exchange with the Questioner in another answer, I have gotten an approximation of what recurve profile has been asked upon. A longsword (long sword) is any sword that is generally wielded with two hands. Non-sharpened. 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. Optimized for armored combat, their blades were steeply pointed, suggesting that their primary function was to pierce armor. 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. 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. Hand-and-a-half swords can be used with one or both hands as needed in combat. The French pe de passot was also known as pe btarde[citation needed] (i.e., bastard sword) and also coustille croix[23] (literally a cross-hilted blade). 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. [citation needed]. Terminology was further complicated by terms introduced[1] or misinterpreted[2][3][4] in the 19th century by antiquarians and in 20th century pop culture,[5] and by the addition of new terms such as "great sword", "Zweihnder" (instead of Beidhnder), and "cut-and-thrust sword". Ewart Oakeshott distinguishes twelve different types. 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. Jun 13, 2018. 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. In some instances, the crossguard could hook the shield or the weapon away and even trip the enemy. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. So, what benefits (if any) does a hand-and-a-half sword offer? . Price Availability* Description SBA-WARSPIKE $ 95 14 In Stock The Warspike: Knight Longsword Engrave this item for $20 . When pike formations became common on battlefield tactics, ranged weapons proved more effective against pikemen, diminishing the advantages of hand-and-a-half swords. [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. 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. When wielded two-handed, they become brutally effective slashing or chopping weapons. By the late 16th century, early forms of the developed-hilt appear on this type of sword. The long grip gives the wielder plenty of leverage to maneuver the sword quickly and to strike decisively. The grip of the hand and a half sword was long enough to accommodate one hand or two hands when used in combat. A hand-and-a-half sword, however, falls somewhere between these two, with an average blade length of about 22 to 30 inches. 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. A hand-and-a-half sword, however, falls somewhere between these two, with an average blade length of about 22 to 30 inches. An Italian Two-Hand Sword First Half Of The 16th Century. [citation needed] In French, estoc also means thrust or point; and estoc et taille means cut and thrust. [13] 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]. : 4 3/4" Grip Length: 6 7/8" Blade: [C60 High Carbon Steel] Manufacturer: Deepeeka Weight 1700 g. 5144. All parts of the sword are used for offensive purposes, including the pommel and crossguard. Pal. Sign up for our mailing-list and be alerted to new products, special sales, limited product availability, and more. 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. Hand-and-a-half swords varied in their blade length, usually ranging from 88 to 100 centimeters (35 to 40 inches). HAND AND A HALF SWORD. It was the typical knights sword of the 15th century designed for thrusting against vulnerable points in plate armor. [4] $349.99. It was a specialist weapon wielded by certain Landsknechte (mercenary soldiers), so-called Doppelsldners. [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]. The Blunted Blade is made from hardened spring steel with a full tang construction. 3 lb. This is the classic one-handed sword used by knights and was often used in conjunction with a shield. [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. The tip is 0.9 inch side and 0.20 inches thick. The distance between the hands obviously increases the leverage that combatant could exert on the weapon. 8 gp. A tradition of teaching based on this has survived in contemporary French and Italian stick fighting.[24]. The Austrian Bastard Sword. "large/great sword")[16][17] can refer to either the longsword with a distinctive two-handed grip, or the basket-hilted sword. 1400-1430 On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 373. ca. Length. The hand could grip above or below the half-grip, or directly at the middle. The grete war sword, also called epee de guerre or great sword, was an earlier type of longsword used throughout most of western Europe. The hilts (handles) range from 8 to 16 inches long to provide room for gauntleted hands. 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." 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. After looking around, we'd appreciate 2 minutes of your timeto answer 3 short questions about your experience. The cross sections of the blades also varied a great deal. Black War Sword And Scabbard - High Carbon Steel Blade, Wooden Handle, Leather-Wrapped - Length 42". 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. 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. They represent an optimised compromise between thrusting capability and retaining good cutting characteristics. Honshu Damascus Broadsword With Sheath - Damascus Steel Blade, TPR Handle, Stainless Steel Pommel - Length 43 1/2". The most common form is also known as the Chinese sabre, although those with wider blades are sometimes referred to as Chinese broadswords. The English language terminology used in the classification of swords is imprecise and has varied widely over time. A sword called by these names would most likely have a blade length of 33 to 40+ inches and a grip and pommel that one can get both hands placed comfortably upon. In the early Middle Ages, swords were broad and heavy and used to hack through the mail. 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. 5060cm long and typically made of bronze or iron. Hand-and-a-half swords initially had a plain crossguard but later featured extensive hand guards. $440. The "longsword" type exists in a morphological continuum with the medieval knightly sword and the Renaissance-era Zweihnder. Fully functional medieval battle ready sword. Dao are single-edged Chinese swords, primarily used for slashing and chopping. 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. Traditional vs Modern Differential Hardening for Swords. [5], The term "hand-and-a-half sword" is relatively modern (from the late 19th century);[6] Folio 158 v.). 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. Often also referred to as a hand-and-a-half sword. [17]:1516 The blade was generally used with both hands on the hilt, one resting close to or on the pommel. The name hand-and-a-half is not a historical term. Some had straight or curved quillons (arms of the crossguard), side rings, finger rings, and loop-back guards. Blade Length: 107.3 cm (42 1/4 in.) Their handles have recognizable waist and bottle shapes which give a comfortable hold of the weapon. The "longsword" type exists in a morphological continuum with . Scabbard. The hands and forearms are a frequent target of some cuts and slices in a defensive or offensive manoeuvre, serving both to disable an opponent and align the swordsman and his weapon for the next attack.