Bryan wrote: "Both swords handle very well. The flamberge feels as if it has slightly more blade presence than the double loop hilt because the point of balance is about half an inch further out and the blade is slightly longer (30 inches vs 29) though both weigh in at a hair over one pound on my scale.[/quote]

Wow! I didnt realize your Flamberge was that light. What's the diameter on the guard?

The flamberge guard is roughly 3 by 3 inches at the widest points. I suspect they took a 3x3 disc and cut the details out from that. A&A did an awesome job on the distal taper. Its by no means flimsy and actually is quite stiff as it should be. They basically took an enormous amount of time figuring out exactly how to make it and I know Craig and the rest of A&A went through a couple prototypes before they designed this for me.

Overall the entire piece was designed to compete with any other historical smallsword and its specs were composed with that in mind. While the grip, guard and blade are obviously more complex, the overall size and weight is very similar to their standard smallsword but the blade makes it about 1-2 ounces heavier. The flamberge comes in at a little under 17 oz and the POB out a tiny bit further out at 3.75 inches from the guard.

Truly a masterpiece. I consider this one of the gems, if not the gem of my collection.

The double loop hilt is about 16.5 oz on my scale but the POB is 3.25. The overall weight is a little lighter but it also feels a little faster because the POB is so close to the guard.

My personal practice blade from them is a diamond cross section practice blade that is 30 inches long, about 16.5 oz and POB is about 3.5 inches so it falls somewhere in between these two pieces in handling but really I don't notice much difference unless I'm really paying attention.

If I recall their triangular 29 inch blade on the standard hilt is a little lighter and POB is a little closer than all 3 of the pieces from A&A that I currently own.

I've gotten to play with Bryan's flamberge, and it really is an amazing piece. It's quite a testimony to Arms and Armor, because it's not only stunningly beautiful, but it really handles incredibly well in the hand. I know I'm jealous of Bryan. :)

Bill. I read your description of the Del Tin smallsword. It reminds me more of a French Infrantry hanger for Officer or NCO. Which happens to be my favorite sword to collect. Here is some pics of it. Tell me if you think its similar.
This is probably my most prized sword. It has the remnants of a fleur di lie on both sides of the blade. I get a real sense of history every time I pick it up. Visions of the Seven Years War in Europe and North America. It handles wonderfully, very fast, yet with a nice blade presence. Also would give a good cut.

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French or possibly English Heavy Cavalry backsword

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English silver-hilt small sword 1758[/i]

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English "hunting" sword--actually a military officer's saber with a full sized blade but a hunting sword hilt. Silver, 1772

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Military spadroon--just possibly a Light Cavalry saber. C. 1760

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My favorite.... an English officers hangar, almost certainly a grenadier officer, with a horn grip and a fine blade, sadly very pitted. Cut down in period to a very short length. Handy, fast, light, a joy to use, and I've worn it on my hip for hundreds of hours in deep woods and brush and never caught it on a thing. I like to imagine it was shortened in the 7 Years War or American Revolution...

About 1760

Okay, not really a sword, but one of my favorite weapons and who'll start a "show us your 18th c. pole arms" thread?

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A not very good pic showing the 24 inch lapets!
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The original butt spike. Probably the original shaft. Very thin, strong as iron.
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The work at the base of the socket.
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I think this is a military item. The workmanship is neat and clean and very nice. Came from Germany in 1945...

Christian,
Thanks for posting your swords. I am a big fan of the spadroon and the officer's hanger.

Jonathan

Christian, all I can say is - Whoa!

That Spadroon and Smallsword are Awesome! I gotta see more pics :eek: How do you have the smallsword so exactly dated? Is the date on it somewhere? Also, I liked seeing the Spontoon.

My two favorites of Christain's sword presentatlions are the officier's hanger and the green ivory(?) gripped cuttoe.

The silver smallsword has a hall mark. I got it from the Dale's in London--they were pretty sure of the date. The others are either dates based on Neuman, or based on other period swords I've handled. But those are my dates, and i'm open to other opinions.

It is a small collection, but it covers all the types I love,and makes a good set for talking to the public. I love to let schoolkids handle them and compare them to modern repros, when I'm trying to explain that "modern" is not always "better,"

My dragoon backsword also came from Peter Dale Ltd. It is a shame they are no longer in business.

He's not a member here, but Alan Longmire just posted on Don Fogg's forum an 18th C Hangar repro he did reciently. He includes pics of the original, too. He did a great job.

http://forums.dfoggknives.com/index.php?showtopic=19002

Interesting link Dave, thanks.

Christian, could you post some more photos of the spadroon and smallsword? I would like to see some complete shots of both that include the blades. Thanks

I have the small sword for sale on the Marketplace.... I think there are more photos there.

I'll try to post more photos later--Facebook doesn't seem to like me just now...

Etchings it is. Does anyone else have any Epee' du Soldats? They are my favorite collectable and I may get around to having a repro made that I can fence with. Here is a stout 1700-1720 version of it. Definately a cutter. Its the first sword on page 78 of Neuman's book "Sword Blades of the American Rev. It's the one "that got away" from me by only a few dollars and second's a couple years ago. I thought I would post it here and weep for a few minutes. :( Someday.....

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Here are some Epee Du Soldat Repro's that can be found at.:
http://www.epeeroyale.com/epees-du-soldat/french-sword.html

I dont know if they are the same as the G. Godwin repro's or not.

The first set of pics is a repro of a sword on page 79 of Neumans Swordblades of the American Revolution.

The second sword with the chain grip is pretty close to the one I own.

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