As the subject says, I'm looking for info about Mannheim swords. A year or two ago I found
a rather interesting sword pictured on the website http://www.frojel.com/_index.html
under the Gotland Artifact section (Gallery 46), It didn't look like anything that I had seen before.
Upper and lower guards made in a sandwich style construction, a copper alloy center between
iron plates. The center feature a stamped design, while the outer sections are inlayed to match
the pommel cap. My guess at the time that it was that at the latest it was an early Viking age piece.
Just a month ago while flipping through my copy of Swords of the Viking Age, I find a very similar
sketch which is labeled as being Mannheim. Seems the type was in use around the second half
of the eighth century. Other than that, there is very little information about this type of swords.

So does anyone know any more about this type, or know of any sources I might check out?

Thanks
Shane

While I don't have any answers for you, here's the direct link to the page to create less work for those wanting to help you out: http://www.frojel.com/Galleries/Gotland46.html

Ok, I didn't know about linking to their images.
Here is the sword in question....
[ Linked Image ]

I handled a similar sword a couple of years ago. The museum didn't have any date for it, but I made guesstimate that put it in the 9th century.

[ Linked Image ]

Dimensions:
Length: 906 (910?) mm (35.67”)
Blade length: 762 mm (30”)
Blade width: 56 mm at the base (2.2”)
Width of the fuller: c. 25 mm (1”)
Length of grip: 75 mm (3”)
Tang width: 27 mm (1.06“), thickness 5 mm (0.2“)
Pommel and upper guard, height: 47 mm (1.85”), width 78 mm (3.07”)
Lower guard (cross): height: 17 mm (0.67”), width 95 mm (3.74”)
Weight (estimated): 900-1000 grams (c. 2-2 lbs 3 oz)
Point of balance: 120 mm (4.72”) from the cross

Wow, I had forgot about this post.

Thanks for the picture Bjorn. I have always like that photo and sword because it has to be the most extreme case of the inlay material being redeposited on the blade that I can recall.

Shane

Yeah, I have had my eye on Barta's work for a two or three years now. Was saving for a viking sword from him myself, but before the funds came together his name started spreading, and his prices and wait list went up. Just missed out and it frustrates the heck out of me. Makes the second time now that I have taken notice of someones work before they get "popular", but have had to sit on the side lines because of funding.

Shane