Perhaps. 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. However they mainly saw prominence outside the battlefield as a duelling weapon. Hand-and-a-half swords varied in their blade length, usually ranging from 88 to 100 centimeters (35 to 40 inches). (J. L. Forgeng, Trans.). The hand-and-a-half sword was a balanced weapon that enabled one to use it with one or both hands. [citation needed] The two handed claymore is an early Scottish version of a greatsword. . Minneapolis Minnesota However, a third type is a hand-and-a-half sword. [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). The excellent balance and light weight make the Warspike an exceptional addition to any collection. SWORD, late 14th century, . 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. 8 gp. Types XVIIIb and XVIIIc represent the later longswords of the mid-15th to early 16th centuries. With the Irish Hand and Half Sword, you swiftly break through the enemy lines and claim victory for your army this morn. Hand-and-a-half swords initially had a plain crossguard but later featured extensive hand guards. They have a flattened diamond cross-section, often with pronounced mid-rib, some being hollow-ground. 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]. The term hand and . Slung across his back in a black leather shoulder sheath was Longclaw, the hand-and-a-half bastard blade the Old Bear had given him for saving his life. The long grip gives the wielder plenty of leverage to maneuver the sword quickly and to strike decisively. 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. [14] The Warspike combines the length of a long arming sword, the hilt of a small hand-and-a-half, and just a hint of a "tuck" thrusting blade. 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. $225.00. Others also had knuckle guards, particularly the Swiss style. 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. Longswords have straight, double-edged blades and are small enough to be drawn from the belt. These days, the term longsword most frequently refers to a late Medieval and Renaissance weapon designed for use with two hands. 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. Furthermore, there is a deprecation of the term "broadsword" by these associations. [25] The term passot comes from the fact that these swords passed (passaient) the length of a "normal" short sword. We will respect your privacy. Traditional vs Modern Differential Hardening for Swords. Hilt length: 34 cm (13 3/8") Pommel Length: 6.2 cm (2 7/16 in.) All these newly introduced or redefined terms add to the confusion of the matter. So, what benefits (if any) does a hand-and-a-half sword offer? The last known German manual to include longsword teaching was that of Jakob Sutor, published in 1612. [citation needed]. Historical (15th to 16th century) terms for this type of sword included Portuguese espada-de-armas, estoque or espada de duas mos for the version with longer handle used exclusively with both hands; Spanish espadn, montante, or mandoble, Italian spada longa (lunga) or spada due mani (Bolognese), and Middle French passot. Harnischfechten, or "armoured fighting" (German kampffechten, or Fechten in Harnisch zu Fuss, literally "fighting in armour on foot"), depicts fighting in full plate armour.[25]. 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]. 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. 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. Historical terms (15th to 16th century) for this type of sword included the Italian spada longa (lunga) and French pe longue. A bastard sword or hand-and-a-halfer[1] are swords which fall between the longsword or broadsword and the two-handed greatsword in size. The arming sword, also called the knightly sword, had a short grip and was designed to be wielded with one hand. + $45.00 shipping. . (2012). Others also had hexagonal cross-sections that cut poorly towards the tip. Fourteenth Century Length overall 124 cm. Handle Length. 100-122 cm (39-48 in) Width. [5]:133[15] Historically, katana () were one of the traditionally made Japanese swords (, nihont)[47][48] that were used by the samurai of feudal Japan. The medieval longsword could include the earlier grete war swords, hand-and-a-half or bastard swords, and estocs. In the years to follow, however, the sword later became known as a "bastard sword." Theme by Safe As Milk. It's not technically intended to be used with one and a half hands that doesn't make sense. "Single-handed sword" is used by Sir Walter Scott. So, what exactly is a hand-and-a-half sword? Leather Wrapped Handle. Sword Length: 42 5/8". As a history enthusiast, Abigail loves learning about the events that shaped the world. 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 term longsword has been used to refer to different kinds of sword depending on historical context: The spatha was a double-edged longsword used by the Romans. Maximum Diameter: 4.2 cm (1 5/8 in.) The longsword was a quick, effective, and versatile weapon capable of deadly thrusts, slices, and cuts. A longsword typically features a blade with a length of approximately 33 to 41 inches (85 to 110 cm). The 1410 manuscript by Fiore dei Liberi presents a variety of uses for the longsword. 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. Fully functional medieval battle ready sword. Hans Talhoffer, a mid-15th-century German fightmaster, is probably the most prominent, using a wide variety of moves, most resulting in wrestling. There is no historical dictionary for the universal names, classification or terminology of swords; a sword was simply a double edged knife. Weight ranged from 1 to 1.5 kg. They have a 2 inch guard width and 0.24 inch guard thickness. Learn more about the history and use of the hand-and-a-half sword and how it compares to other medieval swords. 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. Frontline Books. 3 European single handed sword. 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. "large/great sword")[16][17] can refer to either the longsword with a distinctive two-handed grip, or the basket-hilted sword. 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. 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. 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. [5], The term "hand-and-a-half sword" is relatively modern (from the late 19th century);[6] Over the next several centuries blade shapes varied but we see these swords in two hands being used across the Europe. 3 lb. Of these, "bastard sword" is the oldest, its use being contemporaneous with the weapon's heyday. HAND AND A HALF SWORD. Buy the medieval Albrecht Hand-and-a-Half Swords for $ 299.99. It remains identifiable as a type during the period of about 1350 to 1550. ], Antiquarian usage in the 19th century established the use of "bastard sword" as referring unambiguously to these large swords. Advantages of Hand-and-a-Half Swords Two-handed swords, on the other hand, are long and heavy, making them particularly effective at dealing critical blows. It's typically used as an intermediate weapon for those learning how to use a real longsword. The hand-and-a-half swords had long, slender blades and sharp points that could penetrate the gaps in the opponents armor. SPADA SCHIAVONESCA. In terms of weight, a typical hand-and-a-half sword weighed roughly 2.4 to 4 pounds (1.1 to 1.8 kg). The "longsword" type exists in a morphological continuum with the medieval knightly sword and the Renaissance-era Zweihnder. Their specially shaped grips, usually bottle-shaped or waisted, gave better control and hold of the weapon. 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. Type XX blades are broad, with lenticular or octagonal cross-sections. [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. [21], Joseph Swetnam states that the bastard sword is midway in length between an arming sword and a long sword,[22] and Randall Cotgrave's definition seems to imply this, as well. The Blunted Blade is made from hardened spring steel with a full tang construction. It is ideal for HEMA study - recreating the longswords from Fiore, Talhoffer, etc. These are double-edged, usually straight bladed swords, designed for optimized balance, reach and versatility. [citation needed], The tuck may also get its name from the verb "to tuck" which means "to shorten". These are all in reference to swords commonly called hand and a half swords or longswords today. [44], The "tuck" (French estoc, Italian stocco)[citation needed] is an edgeless blade of square or triangular cross-section used for thrusting. SBCM-MAS-RED There is no historical Italian equivalent to the English word "rapier". [citation needed] It is thought to have appeared in France and spread quickly across the rest of Europe. Equipped with a long grip, the hand-and-a-half sword was suitable for use with one or even both hands if one wished to give extra force to a blow. The increased defensive capability of a man clad in full plate armour caused the use of the sword to be drastically changed. Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more , The 4 Key Elements of a High-Quality Traditional Japanese Sword. The Zweihnder ("two-hander") or Beidhnder ("both-hander") is a true two-handed sword, in the sense that it cannot be wielded in only one hand. Its French name pe btarde implies a sword of uncertain origin or an irregular sword. 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. These are all in reference to swords commonly called hand and a half swords or longswords today. Regardless, the sword's defining characteristics remain the same: it can be used with either one hand or both hands. Hand and a Half Sword 88HNH medieval bastard sword by Cold Steel. Their long grip increased their striking power and made some fighting techniques easier. It was "[a sword] which was neither French, nor Spanish, nor properly Landsknecht [German], but longer than any of these sturdy swords. 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. The tip is 0.9 inch side and 0.20 inches thick. Hand Forged High Carbon Steel Viking Sword, Sharp / Battle Ready Medieval Sword. The arming sword was the most used sword type in the medieval period. The hand-and-a-half swords optimized the combination of reach, maneuverability, and weight. "murder stroke"), where the weapon is held by the blade (hilt, pommel and crossguard serving as an improvised hammer head) and swung, taking advantage of the balance being close to the hilt to increase the concussive effect (see the fighter on the right of the Codex Wallerstein picture).[26]. 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. As plate armor became more common, swords became longer and acquired a leaner blade with an acute point for thrusting. Cod. The hand-and-a-half sword also belongs to Oakeshott types XVIa, XVII, and XVIIIa. A longsword is, obviously, longer than a shortsword. Our Medieval Hand and a Half Sword with Blunted Blade is a Battle Ready sword designed to be used for Stage Combat. The Military History Book: The Ultimate Visual Guide to the Weapons that Shaped the World, Cut and Thrust: European Swords and Swordsmanship, Knight: The Warrior and World of Chivalry, Medieval Armies and Weapons in Western Europe: An Illustrated History, The Art of Sword Combat: A 1568 German Treatise on Swordsmanship. 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. 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 [17]:plate 58 Some manuals even depict the cross as a hammer. The German school of swordsmanship includes the earliest known longsword Fechtbuch, a manual from approximately 1389, known as GNM 3227a. Great swords or greatswords are related to the long swords of the Middle Ages. Honshu Damascus Broadsword With Sheath - Damascus Steel Blade, TPR Handle, Stainless Steel Pommel - Length 43 1/2". Sword Length: 42 5/8". In comparison, a shortsword's blade is about 12 to 20 inches (30 to 50 cm). 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 . Though deemed a Hand and a Half sword, this sword has a grip length and handling characteristics that would be fitting for a longsword. They run 3 pounds plus, but you wonder how much of that weight is in the basket hilt, etc.? This type includes the 14th to 15th century "hand and a half sword" or "two-handed" swords, often with two or more fullers. Early depictions of a sword in two hands show swords such as the A&A Hungarian Sword used to deliver these blows. The Spartiats were always armed with a xiphos as a secondary weapon. The weapon was used in the half-sword, with one or both hands on 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 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). The Filipino islands are widely known for their vast assortment of edged weapons. Hand-and-a-half swords have special half-grips that can be used with either one or both hands. Tough, rigid and durable. The backsword was a single-edged, straight-bladed sword, typically for military use. The hand-and-a-half sword is particularly versatile in this regard. This probably represents the differing tastes of current sword buyers from those of the Middle Ages. 1400-1430 On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 373. These techniques could be nearly instantly fatal or incapacitating, as a thrust to the skull, heart, or major blood vessel would cause massive trauma. They represent larger versions of type XII and type XIII swords which were the standard. 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. In southern Germany, it persisted into the 1560s, but its use also declined during the second half of the 16th century. Leather Wrapped Handle. 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. German Bastard or Hand-And -A-Half Sword, early 16th century with long slender tapering double-edged blade of flattened diamond section, hilt comprising arched quillons with swelling tips of flat triangular section, side-ring en suite and with fluted tips where they join the quillons, and inner bar of circular section bent down and made in one with the downcurved arm, associated fluted fig . 3 Reviews; 3 Reviews. An Italian Two-Hand Sword First Half Of The 16th Century. The blade is 79cm in length and constructed from a rugged 1060 spring steel and through . To overcome this problem, swords began to be used primarily for thrusting. It was the typical knights sword of the 15th century designed for thrusting against vulnerable points in plate armor. This sword tends to have a guard that is slightly loose. These long-gripped weapons were ideal for thrusting at small gaps in armor when the typical slashing sword could not chop through it. 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". The name bastard sword was first used in the 15th century, as far as we know. 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. A longsword (also spelled as long sword or long-sword) is a type of European sword characterized as having a cruciform hilt with a grip for primarily two-handed use (around 15 to 30 cm or 6 to 12 in), a straight double-edged blade of around 80 to 110 cm (31 to 43 in), and weighing approximately 1 to 1.5 kg (2 lb 3 oz to 3 lb 5 oz).. They were in use during the 14th and 15th centuries. . 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. The expression fechten mit dem langen schwert ("fencing with the long sword") in the German school of fencing denotes the style of fencing which uses both hands at the hilt; fechten mit dem kurzen schwert ("fencing with the short sword") is used in half-sword fighting, with one hand gripping the blade. However, the reduced weight near the tips made them less efficient for slashing. This was the most common longsword up to the late 13th century CE. This hand-and-half sword has a sharpened, darkened 1065 high carbon steel blade with an extra-wide tang. 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). Historical one-handed versions have blades varying from 45 to 80 centimeters (18 to 31 inches) in length. One-handed swords are shorter and lighter, but they allow the user to wield a second weapon or shield. The term "rapier" appeared in the English lexicon via the French pe rapire which either compared the weapon to a rasp or file; it may be a corruption of "rasping sword"[38] which referred to the sound the blade makes[39] when it comes into contact with another blade. Hand-and-a-half swords had long grips that permitted the use of the second hand. It could also be used one-handed against lightly armored archers from horseback and two-handed for thrusting attacks against heavily armored opponents. It's not technically intended to be used with one and a half hands -- that doesn't make sense. [17]:plates 128150, Another variation of use comes from the use of armour. Weight 1700 g. 5144. A longsword (long sword) is any sword that is generally wielded with two hands. "Let thy (long) Rapier or (long) Sword be foure foote at the least, and thy dagger two foote." Hand-and-a-Half (26) Length. Most are leather covered with metal chape and throat. Hand and a half swords is a modern term to describe bastard swords but it is used in reference to long swords. Swords with exceptionally long hilts are found throughout the High Middle Ages. If wielded in one hand, the hand-and-a-half sword functioned similarly to an arming sword, though its balance would be slightly different.