The new Windlass/Matt Easton Royal Armouries line is here and ships October 20th. They look great and are definitely the best thing I've seen come from Windlass. I think they'll definitely be competitive in the mid-price market.

https://www.museumreplicas.com/royal-armoury-collection?utm_source=Museum+Replicas+Subscribers&utm_campaign=1085faa9e7-MRL_RA+preorder1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49a52d4ef3-1085faa9e7-85629454&mc_cid=1085faa9e7

The only real criticism I have at this point is that the 15th century falchion has a nagel which bends toward the point, whereas the original bends toward the pommel and appears to be the broken stub of a back of hand guard which extended to the pommel such as in the example below.

https://longswordsinlondon.tumblr.com/post/167213975266/wakefield-hangers

All in all a good effort and pleased to see Windlass moving forward. I'd be interested to hear what you think of them if you get one.

Generally good looking pieces. Not a fan of the tramp stamp. Windlass has to quit doing this.

I agree about the stamps. I think that the Windlass makers mark is OK but the Royal Armouries and the "made in..." text is not. I also believe that the hanger would have looked better with a bar or without the nagel. If I remember right the first prototype Matt Easton showed had the bar. It would interesting to now why they changed that.

Dear Folks,

On Friday 7 October 2022, Ryan Renfro wrote:

The only real criticism I have at this point is that the 15th century falchion has a nagel which bends toward the point, whereas the original bends toward the pommel and appears to be the broken stub of a back of hand guard which extended to the pommel such as in the example below. https://longswordsinlondon.tumblr.com/post/167213975266/wakefield-hangers

And on Saturday 8 October 2022, Ulf Lidsman wrote:

. . . I also believe that the hanger would have looked better with a bar or without the nagel. If I remember right the first prototype Matt Easton showed had the bar. It would interesting to now why they changed that.

Apparently the example that Matt Easton documented for Windlass has what was originally a perpendicular nagel, rather than a guard that bends toward the pommel as some of the other similar survivals do. SBG member lebleuchevalier corresponded with Mr. Easton about it, and received this reply:

On Friday 7 October 2022, Matt Easton wrote:

Hi Daniel, I have asked Windlass about this. I agree that the photo makes it look like it is pointing upwards, when it shouldn't be. In fact the example I have in hand was a last prototype and we did change the lug slightly at the last minute, because it seems that on the original sword it is broken and bent downwards, and if this is copied on the replica then it makes the sword very uncomfortable to hold, as the lug then digs into the knuckle. It seems likely that the original's 'lug'/nagel probably projected outwards at about 90 degrees, so this is how the final version should be. I have messaged Windlass for clarification. Best wishes, Matt.

There's a screenshot of the e-mail message in the SBG posting, which is about two-thirds of the way down the page on which it appears.

I note from the link Ryan Renfro provides that in the photo comparing two examples, one with a complete side guard and one with an abbreviated side guard, the latter is shorter than the perpendicular element of the complete guard. In other words, if it represents a broken side guard, it probably broke before the curve--which makes sense given what Mr. Easton says about its digging into his knuckle when he held the sword.

I hope this proves both helpful and reassuring.

Best,

Mark Millman

Yes, thank you Mark. I'm really looking forward to Mr Eastons video about the hanger.

How will one be able to remove the Royal Armouries and Windlass text on the swords (not the makers mark)? Any suggestions?

I'm mainly looking forward to the Castillion two hander. I don't have anything of those proportions in my collection. It looks pretty cool!
I'm mainly concerned with the quality of the product. Most of my swords are Albions (I'm bracing for the snob fanboy jokes) and I've just never been impressed with Windlass's quality. Will these be a higher quality than their run of the mill swords?

Also, I totally agree about the Windlass stamp. It's terribly ahistorical looking and just plain ugly.

Folks,

On Monday 10 October 2022, Ryan S. wrote:

On Monday 10 October 2022, Ulf Lidsman wrote: How will one be able to remove the Royal Armouries and Windlass text on the swords (not the makers mark)? Any suggestions? I guess it depends on how it is put on there. It might be removable with acetone, it might require grinding.

I've always been able to remove Windlass' printed text with a mild abrasive (emery paper, fine sandpaper, steel wool, a plastic scrubber) but that does leave a slight difference in the blade's finish. I've never tried a solvent, which seems like a good idea. I have rubbing alcohol and nail-polish remover in my cabinet. If a solvent works, I imagine at least one of those will do it.

Best,

Mark Millman

Dear Ryan Hobbs,

On Monday 10 October 2022, you wrote:

I'm mainly concerned with the quality of the product. Most of my swords are Albions (I'm bracing for the snob fanboy jokes) and I've just never been impressed with Windlass's quality. Will these be a higher quality than their run of the mill swords?

Early indications are that they will. The designs are better and the measurements do seem to conform to those of the originals that they reproduce. Fit and finish seem to be better than on many of Windlass' other products--I don't think anybody expects Albion's level, but they should be satisfactory--and I hope the contract with the Royal Armouries will ensure consistent quality control. But ultimately we'll have to wait and see. I also hope that if anything starts to slip Matt Easton will intervene, as he's so deeply involved in the project. You may want to watch his YouTube reviews as they come out; he's covered three of the swords so far. There isn't a playlist of the reviews yet, but he seems to be releasing them daily, or close to it.

Best,

Mark Millman

These look intriguing, though I don't love the labels/stamps. I love the maker's mark. But on the same side of the blade there appears to be a deeply stamped three lines of text: "Windlass, Since 1943, India." That won't come off easily. Matt Easton mentioned the Royal Armouries logo on the other side could probably be scrubbed off. It's too bad they couldn't at least put the Windlass text and Royal Armouries logo on the same side so you could display it with that side facing the wall. :)

It's possible (likely, even) that their agreement with the Royal Armouries mandates the use of the logo. Also, import regulations might require a place-of-origin mark. So I get why they might be doing all the marks; it's just a lot and very obviously modern.

However, swords from Windlass that closely match specs of historical sword, at this price point, with scabbards, could be a great addition to the marketplace.

Which ones of the six swords of the first batch are you interested to buy? This is my top three:

1. 15th century Falchion
2. 15th century Longsword
3. 14th century arming sword

This is due to the fact that my main interest is in the second half of the 15th century and that I fell in love with the 14th century arming sword. The single edge sword would fit in with my time period but there is something with the looks of the blade I don't like.

1 = nope
2 = nope
3 = nope

They look nice for Windlass but I'll let somebody else go first at that price. Maybe, if I see and handle one in person. Maybe, if I like it in person. Maybe, if the availability means immediate gratification. Then, maybe, I'd give one a go. That just seems to be a heck of a lot to drop on a Windlass given what floats out in the secondary market now and again.

A question about that maker’s mark. How historical is that? It looks a lot bigger and sticks out a lot more than marks on historical swords that I have seen.