I am new here, this is my first post.


I have been reading Joachim Meyer's books and it got me wondering what actual longswords looked like in his time (1550-1600)? What would set longswords of this period apart from other longswords?

Have a look at this Spotlight Topic

http://myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=19720

Hi Joe and welcome

This is one I have. Probably early part of the 16th century, around 1520ish maybe. Probably Italian but uncertain. Typical ring hilt of the 16th century.

The post topic Nathan linked to you is excellent.

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You're a hard man to please Nathan ;) . Fair enough, I agree terminology can be loose and doubled up in some cases. I think people who collect 16th century swords just use it broadly as an easy way of describing what type of compound hilt it is - it's got rings on it, and rings are the only complex feature, as opposed to other ring/bar arrangements. However, I happily concede that describing it as having two side rings is the better and more precise approach !

This one does have a great blade. Good condition too despite the odd spot of pitting and some black spots. It's probably pound for pound the best sword I have, as the blade and hilt, although simple in design, are superbly executed. The balance is great.

The triple fuller goes right up to within 6 inches of the point and really cleanly done. It is also one of the most perfectly formed period blades I have seen in its straightness - as you well know with all period blades before newer, more precise industrial processes came in, if you hold the hilt up to your face and look down the blade with the edge downwards there are always uneven parts and imperfections in the line. To be expected. This one does too, but it's about the best I have seen.

It has a mark repeated three times on each side of the blade on the forte, which looks like a form of running wolf mark with a crown above. Kinman has a very similar looking mark in his book which is not attributed to a specific maker but says found on a sword of high quality with a triple fullered blade, 16th century, Italy, the mark being on both sides of the blade.

Terrifying too. It's edge is still quite keen now and it has reach and momentum and balance. I think if I was facing someone who had trained from an early age and could wield one of these as second nature I would be very concerned indeed !