The "Masters of Defence" competition organised by Henry VIII in July 1540 listed two handed sword and bastard sword as two separate items. War Sword, Hand-and-a-half sword - Strongblade 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. 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. In comparison, a shortsword's blade is about 12 to 20 inches (30 to 50 cm). The Scottish name "claymore" (Scottish Gaelic: claidheamh mr, lit. All parts of the sword are used for offensive purposes, including the pommel and crossguard. Bastard sword - A Wiki of Ice and Fire 55413 United States. Two handed jians from the time of the Chu and Han Dynasty were up to 150cm (58in) long. 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. Hand and a Half Swords - Dark Knight Armoury were used to label weapons of similar appearance but of different historical periods, regional cultures and fabrication technology. They had handles of roughly 17 to 25 centimeters (7 to 10 inches), excluding pommels, and weighed about 3 to 4 pounds. The blade length is about 70 to 80 cm (28-32 inches). [citation needed]. It was coined by modern collectors in the 19th century to refer to how the weapon is wielded. [4] Also, the hand on the blade increases its rigidity which is advantageous when thrusting. Sword Length: 42 5/8". The khopesh is an ancient Egyptian curved short sword with a length of approx. The term hand and . Top is some kind of dress sword, bottom is cavalry saber? Scabbard. The long grip gives the wielder plenty of leverage to maneuver the sword quickly and to strike decisively. 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. . So, what exactly is a hand-and-a-half sword? The term hand-and-a-half sword is often used interchangeably with longsword, although it is not entirely accurate. 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. However, the reduced weight near the tips made them less efficient for slashing. They run 3 pounds plus, but you wonder how much of that weight is in the basket hilt, etc.? 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 "hand-and-a-half sword" is modern (late 19th century). Non-sharpened. Bastard Sword, Variant (5e Equipment) - D&D Wiki These blades are long and slowly tapering, with a flat hexagonal blade cross-section and a fuller running along one third of the blade. Blade: 5160 High Carbon Steel. What's in a name? As plate armor became more common, swords became longer and acquired a leaner blade with an acute point for thrusting. 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. Their long grip increased their striking power and made some fighting techniques easier. . Dao are single-edged Chinese swords, primarily used for slashing and chopping. One-handed swords are shorter and lighter, but they allow the user to wield a second weapon or shield. 3 lb. They were in use during the 14th and 15th centuries. HAND AND A HALF SWORD. Dual Tempered HRc 60 48-50 at the core Fittings : Mild Steel Blade Thickness: 1.34 mm Total Length: 45 . 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 falchion (French braquemart,[52] Spanish bracamarte) proper is a wide straight-bladed but curved edged hanger or long knife. This type of sword had a thickened back to the blade (opposite the cutting edge), which gave the blade strength. 2023, Arms & Armor This technique combines the use of the sword with wrestling, providing opportunities to trip, disarm, break, or throw an opponent and place them in a less offensively and defensively capable position. 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. The "longsword" type exists in a morphological continuum with . 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 . Hand-and-a-half swords can be used with one or both hands as needed in combat. It's not technically intended to be used with one and a half hands -- that doesn't make sense. Jun 13, 2018. The term "hand-and-a-half sword" is modern (late 19th century). GOTHIC HAND AND A HALF SWORD. Most feel they were blades that could be used either one or two handed (much like the longsword pictured), and sometimes the term hand and a half sword is also used interchangeably. 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. Classically simple in design with a flattened diamond-section blade and cruciform hilt, the original dates from the early part of the 15th century. "Let thy (long) Rapier or (long) Sword be foure foote at the least, and thy dagger two foote." The Elizabethan long sword (cf. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [27][28][29][self-published source? 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 Answer (1 of 2): I'll apologize be as I'm long-winded and cover a lot of ground. These are all in reference to swords commonly called hand and a half swords or longswords today. Furthermore, there is a deprecation of the term "broadsword" by these associations. germ. Hand and a Half Sword 88HNH medieval bastard sword by Cold Steel. 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. German Bastard or Hand-And -A-Half Sword, early 16th century | Barnebys Swordecyclopedia 2022 - All Rights Reserved, Medieval Swordsmanship: Illustrated Methods And Techniques, Medieval Military Technology, Second Edition. Knives such as the seax and other blades of similar length between 30 and 60cm (1 and 2ft) are sometimes construed as swords. $269.99 $211.98! 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. Most swords are intended for use either one or two hands. 4 European Single Hand-and-a-half Sword. (J. L. Forgeng, Trans.). The term "broadsword" was never used historically to describe the one-handed arming sword. [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. [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. By the 15th century, larger and heavier swords had been developed, including the 'Bastard' or 'Hand-and-a-half' sword. They have a 2 inch guard width and 0.24 inch guard thickness. The hand-and-a-half swords had long, slender blades and sharp points that could penetrate the gaps in the opponents armor. We will never share your information with anybody else cross our hearts, hope to die, stick a sharp sword in our (ok, this just got a little silly). 100-122 cm (39-48 in) Width. 4.14-3.1 cm, then sharp point. After looking around, we'd appreciate 2 minutes of your timeto answer 3 short questions about your experience. With the Irish Hand and Half Sword, you swiftly break through the enemy lines and claim victory for your army this morn. 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". When wielded two-handed, they become brutally effective slashing or chopping weapons. The Scabbard All Hanwei western medieval swords come with a nicely made scabbard. 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. 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. Longsword - Types and History - ilovebuhurt.com 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. Grip: hand-and-half to two hand length, 6" to 10" Average Weight: Primary purpose: cutting Period: Great Sword or War Sword, in use from middle of the 13th c to the latter half of the 14th Sub-Type XIIIb Profile: broad, flat and parallel edges Cross-section: lenticular Average Blade Length: 35" The grete war sword, also called epee de guerre or great sword, was an earlier type of longsword used throughout most of western Europe. Minneapolis Minnesota SPADA SCHIAVONESCA. The 1410 manuscript by Fiore dei Liberi presents a variety of uses for the longsword. 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; Folio 158 v.). [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]. Two-Hander Longsword - Superior Swords Co. 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). It is considered "The General of All Weapons". [13] Scabbards protected the sword from dampness, rain, and were typically reinforced by a metal chape at the tip. 20-30 Inches (1) 30-40 Inches (6) 40-50 Inches (35) 50-60 Inches (2 . Type XX blades are broad, with lenticular or octagonal cross-sections. The specific term used to describe these swords in period varied by region as listed above. The hand could grip above or below the half-grip, or directly at the middle. To overcome this problem, swords began to be used primarily for thrusting. 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. The 19cm grip is constructed from timber, covered in faux leather with a sewn seam which is then cord wrapped for extra strength. So, what benefits (if any) does a hand-and-a-half sword offer? Apparently, many swords were designed for left-hand use, although left-handed swords have been described as "a rarity".[12]. First quarter of the 9th c. A.D. (Stuttgart: Wurt. 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 30cm or 6 to 12in), a straight double-edged blade of around 80 to 110cm (31 to 43in), and weighing approximately 1 to 1.5kg (2lb 3oz to 3lb 5oz).[1][2]. or example, 'longsword' is related to the German 'langshwert', and 'bastard sword' from the French 'pe btarde', Take the Survey (takes 2 minutes or less). 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 hand and a half sword | BladeForums.com 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 . "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]. Great swords or greatswords are related to the long swords of the Middle Ages. Cold Steel Hand and a Half Sword - 9 7/16" Grip - Kult of Athena It's typically used as an intermediate weapon for those learning how to use a real longsword. Longswords vs Bastard Swords vs Hand-and-a-Half Swords 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. Most were better suited for thrusting, but others were also designed for more cutting. An example of a "true" bastard sword / hand-and-a-half sword 'Bastard' Sword (hand-and-a-half sword) - Hundred Years' War - Royal In terms of blade typology, they do not form a single category. Shes particularly interested in the rise and fall of empires, accounts of war and conquest, and ancient and classical history. 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. Suitable for martial arts training, film props etc. : 4 3/4" Grip Length: 6 7/8" Blade: [C60 High Carbon Steel] Manufacturer: Deepeeka One example how a sword can be used this way is to thrust the tip of the crossguard at the opponent's head right after parrying a stroke. These long-gripped weapons were ideal for thrusting at small gaps in armor when the typical slashing sword could not chop through it. 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. Kodachi vs Wakizashi: What's the Difference? Sword 5 - 15th Century Hand and a Half Sword. Handle Length. Types XVIIIb and XVIIIc represent the later longswords of the mid-15th to early 16th centuries. Contemporary use of "long-sword" or "longsword" only resurfaced in the 2000s in the context of reconstruction of the German school of fencing, translating the German langes schwert. The hilts (handles) range from 8 to 16 inches long to provide room for gauntleted hands. What Is a Hand-and-a-Half Sword? | MartialArtSwords.com 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 . Perhaps. The grip of the hand and a half sword was long enough to accommodate one hand or two hands when used in combat. Frontline Books. A hand-and-a-half sword, however, falls somewhere between these two, with an average blade length of about 22 to 30 inches. Optimized for armored combat, their blades were steeply pointed, suggesting that their primary function was to pierce armor. This could be a 5-inch handle with a pommel that accommodates being used as part of the grip to one that would have considerable room between the hands. 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 [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". 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. By The Sword, Inc. - 15th Century Hand and a Half Sword This is the classic one-handed sword used by knights and was often used in conjunction with a shield. On the other hand, those with stainless steel blades are only meant for decoration while LARP versions have foam blades. The Weapons of an English Medieval Knight Today, replicas have high-carbon steel blades, though the ones used in stage combat and reenactment have blunt edges. Weight 1700 g. 5144. 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. Hand-and-a-half swords varied in their blade length, usually ranging from 88 to 100 centimeters (35 to 40 inches). 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 tip is 0.9 inch side and 0.20 inches thick. They have a flattened diamond cross-section, often with pronounced mid-rib, some being hollow-ground. The swords grouped as "longswords" for the purposes of this article are united by their being intended for two-handed use. Often also referred to as a hand-and-a-half sword. Modern replica longswords cover many of these diverse types, though certainstyles are less well represented in the current market place. A term that was coined by Italian curators. The tang is peened onto the forged pommel. [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. Medieval Weapons: Longsword. Types of Longswords, Facts and History 120-150 cm (47-59 in), blade length: avg. A longer and broader blade which widened slightly towards the handle. [44], The "tuck" (French estoc, Italian stocco)[citation needed] is an edgeless blade of square or triangular cross-section used for thrusting. A hand-and-a-half sword, however, falls somewhere between these two, with an average blade length of about 22 to 30 inches. Longsword, bastard sword, and hand-and-a-half sword are all names used to describe a variety of medieval European swords. Agincourt War Sword - Functional European Swords at Reliks.com 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. There is no historical Italian equivalent to the English word "rapier". Distinct "bastard sword" hilt types developed during the first half of the 16th century. 30-40 Inches (3) 40-50 Inches (21) 50-60 Inches (2) Product Includes. Some of the heavier normal size swords that I looked out were the single handed wide blade cut and thrust swords like the Munich town guard swords. Type XVIIIc blades are somewhat broader and shorter (about 85cm), and sometimes have a short and narrow fuller. These days, the term longsword most frequently refers to a late Medieval and Renaissance weapon designed for use with two hands. Swordsmen were trained to use the dulled side for defensive and blocking techniques. Hand-and-a-Half Sword - The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bonhams : An Italian Two-Hand Sword The Fitzwilliam Museum - Hand-and-a-half sword: HEN.M.188-1933 Codified systems of fighting with the longsword existed from the later 14th century, with a variety of styles and teachers each providing a slightly different take on the art. On the other hand, the hand-and-a-half swords were often used alone. [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). Fourteenth Century Length overall 124 cm. 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. Leather / Wood Scabbard with Steel Fittings. However, a third type is a hand-and-a-half sword. They were made from wood, lined with cloth, and bound in leather. Glamdring | The One Wiki to Rule Them All | Fandom Maximum Diameter: 4.2 cm (1 5/8 in.) Later on, the thrusting rapier gained favor as a civilian dueling weapon. 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. The intention of how to use the sword most likely dictated the way they were listed in inventories of the day. This increased the accuracy and strength of thrusts and provided more leverage for Ringen am Schwert or "wrestling at/with the sword". 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. Like the German manuals, the weapon is most commonly depicted and taught with both hands on the hilt. [citation needed]. The arming sword was paired with a small, round buckler shield on the left hand. Two-handed swords, on the other hand, are long and heavy, making them particularly effective at dealing critical blows. 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. 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 .