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Oakeshott Type: XII
Overall Length: 40-3/4 inches
Blade Length: 34-1/2 inches
Blade width @ Base: 1-3/4 inches
Blade Width 3 inches from point: 7/8 inch
Blade Thickness @ Base: .207 inch
Blade Thickness 2 inches from Point: .076 inch
Hilt Overall Length: 6-1/4 inches
Length of Handle: 4-1/4 inches
Guard Type: Unclassified
Pommel Type: B
Center of Gravity: 4-3/4 inches from guard
Location of Blade Node (measured from Guard): 23-1/2 inches
Primary Hilt Node: approx. 1/2 inch from cross on handle
Weight: 2lbs 7 oz
Single-hand sword Circa 1100-1200 AD. Blade is 5160 spring steel hardened to HRc52-53, excepting the tang and shoulder of the blade which are selectively drawn to HRc 45-48. Furniture is Mild Steel, with the guard hand-forged to shape; some minor hammer-marks are still visible on the inside of the guard. The handle is sandwhiched hardwood wrapped in linen cord and covered with a dark purple leather. Hilt components are secured with epoxy. The tang is passed through the pommel and peened to secure the hilt. The sword will be provided with a leather scabbard that is reinforced at the throat and chape with additional leather, though I may make a leather-covered wooden scabbard with steel furniture; this would increase the price significantly.

This sword is not based on an extant historical example but is based on a drawing from an Anglo-saxon manuscript (BM MS Cotton Nero C.IV) as shown in 'Records of the Medieval Sword' by Ewart Oakeshott on page 77, figure iii. This shows a long, narrow sword, possibly a Type XI (which Type this sword might arguably be shoe-horned into) in it's scabbard. I was rather charmed by this simple drawing and the proportions of the sword illustrated and made this sword as a result. I am quite pleased with the result; the sword is quite light and handy and while the blade is beautifully flexible it feels quite rigid in the hand with no trace of whippiness in handling.

Damn fine sword! I really like the shape of the brazil nut. The purple grip looks really nice too. One question, how much consideration did you give to adding the decorative file/drill marks that appear to be in the illustration? I think you were right to leave them out and keep this sword cleaner but I am curious...

Oh, yes, another beautiful sword. It does look good clean, but I always wondered how would look a reproduction with the holes. ;)

I am also a fan of the sword in that drawing, although doesn't the manuscript date to 950-1000?

Unfortunately I just bought a couple of swords, so I'm out of the running for a while. Has a price been set yet?

Will there be more...any chance of it going into production with your partners?

Mr. Pierce, the Hanwei site states that Great swords of war will be dismountable, you say they are going to be peened, what is the thing?

OK- That's weird... in all of our discussions of this sword we specified a peened tang. I'll ask the folks at Hanwei when they get back in the office on Monday.

Thanks, I look forward to your answer. If it is peened I'll start saving right away. ;)