Marienburg Longsword, late 14thC.
German Longsword, late 14th century, inspired by original sword from Marienburg Castle. Grip is based on 14th/15th century original finds.

Dating:
This sword design is very close to some existing museum examples in Poland and Germany, dated to 14th century.

Characteristics:
The pommel in this sword is based on some Teutonic Order sword, now in Malbork Castle Museum in Poland. Also the blade is very close to many longswords from this period. Simple, straight crossguard is one of the most common types for this swords .
Classic example of medieval battle longsword.

Scabbard:
My idea was to make a contrast between simple, battle sword and highly decorated scabbard, which could possibly added later, in 15th century. We know examples of swords with later scabbards.
Scabbard and belt for this sword reflects a German style with black and dark brown colors combined with golden fittings. Belting style from 13 / 14th century is combined with simple functional buckle.
On the belt we can see also golden letters 'AM' (Ave Maria) combined in medieval initial.
On the scabbard we can see the beginning words from old prayer:
'Sub tuum praesidium confugimus, sancta Dei Genitrix '.
Both details also reflects Teutonic Order canon.

Measurements:
overall length 1120mm
blade length 865mm
grip length 185mm
blade width 58mm
thickness: at the base 5mm
balance ca. 90mm
weight ca. 1450g

Price for the sword and scabbard: $3000. Shipping and a special case included.
More images and infoirmations you can find on my website, here: http://artofswordmaking.com/gallery/marienbur...late-14thc


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When I think of the word 'sword'....that's what comes to my mind. That wraps it all up in one tight package. Beautiful!.....McM

I really like this one and really hope it goes to live with somebody else, soon! :D

thank you guys :) nice to hear that opinions and comments.

here, I want to show you what sword inspired me to make this one .
the most intereting is the cross-section of the blade - it seems to be related to Passau marked swords mostly and is very common style of profile.
what gives that kind of cross-section? well, as far as I was trying this sword and other similar profiled I can say it provides better stiffness and strength (durability) of the edges. the sharpening is made only on last 5-8mm from the edge. this gives us thicker area near the edge.
also - the flat area of the blade is actually (and should be) not flat ( sounds funny, I know :) ) but slightly sloping, with gentle ridge on the center. so, it is not good to make it "just flat" on the whole area :) this is important - and this is difficult - but provides better parameters.
second point is that this cross-section make the whole sword a bit heavier - and they originally were heavier (mostly between 1500-2200g with length between 113cm and 127cm mostly).
Original sword is 110,9cm long and I have added a few cm to the tip, which is missed in original one.
All other parameters are the same or very close to museum sword.

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Many late 13th and 14th century warswords have thatt softened hexagonal geometry, yet very few makers recreate that. You do a great job with subtlety of such a crossection.

I must admit I was not a fan of this kind of longsword blade cross-section, but you actually reconciled me with that with your last swords!

But I prefer this other sword you made with the same kind of blade...

Fantastic work Maciej! Thanks for the explanation of the cross-section. Every time you post something like this, I learn quite a bit.

Always interesting to read the opinions and the knowledge of Maciej !

Thank you very much Pierre!

The sword is still available - price drop to $2800.
Shipping and case are included and I think it is a real bargain (... because I know this sword very well :) )
There will be no more "drops" here :)

Long time admirer of your work Maciej, and this piece is absolutely stunning. I've desperately tried to get the pennies together to buy this but unfortunately I feel that I'm going to miss out on this one. I have a question, how often do you have 'in stock' pieces? I notice there's nothing on your website at the moment. I imagine your waiting list for bespoke items is growing so I was thinking that this route may be the best way to get hold of one of your extraordinary swords.
Thanks

I see several in stock pieces.

Thanks Luka.
Martin - my available swords you can easly find here, on my website: http://artofswordmaking.com/category/available

That scabbard is incredible. Beautiful color and sharp detail. I would love to know how you get the tooling that crisp.
Or more accurately, I wish I had the skill to get my tooling that crisp.
-Terry

This sword is still available. One of the best I`ve ever made :)
... or I should leave it for myself? I must consider this option...............

and thank you Terry - I think the point is to make it according to this what we can find on original scabbards. There is a lot of inspiring details, also about the making technique. I`m a fan of more plain and rather flat decorations - means more functional scabbards, battle swords and equipment - than highly decorative or ceremonial ones. However sometimes I make something like this, special design based on historical motifs, to show what is possible to create. More decorated scabbards we will find later - in Rennaissance time, but it is out of my area of interest (swords became no longer as important weapon as earlier).
There are very simple techniques to create something like this, to be honest - just need a lot of practice. Vegetable tanned natural leather must be wet and then you can do what you want with simple tools - even piece of wood or metal, shaped at the tip. They were also using stamps, hand made small tools to create patterns. You can make them with wood, ceramic, metal or stone and they will work as well. To make the lines more sharp - for example letters - you need to use knife-shaped tools. It is easy - but also demanding when it comes to making such big thing as scabbard and will needs a patience, time and strong hands too :) (... also as first a nice design too)

Sword is sold - and will be in good hands :)
There will be review soon!

Thank goodness it found a home!