This is as BEAST of a sword -- far more massive than anyone could imagine from photographs. Clearly a horseman's sword and I find that the only way to control it is to wrap my forefinger over the guard.

The grip is wound three times with a sheet of linen, and then wrapped with thin leather treated with beeswax -- Peter postulates that possible design from what remains of the original grip.

[ Linked Image ]

More photos and description here:

http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/johnsson/...aurice.htm

I've been waiting for this one myself for a long time (since I first saw the photo of a copy of it in Oakeshott's "Archaeology of Weapons."

You'll either love it or hate it, but it is one of the most recognizable historic originals.

Best,

Howy

Beautiful. Good work, guys.

Since I don't have a horse, it's probably not the sword for me, but it sure is mighty nice looking - great, clean lines.

It might be interesting to compare it to DT2130, or would that just be unfair?

Oh... my... God! :eek:

That thing has a blade like my Duke! I love it!

Looks like another beauty from Albion.

Howard Waddell wrote:

This is as BEAST of a sword -- far more massive than anyone could imagine from photographs....

Maybe it doesn't look so huge in the photos, but I guess the numbers do tell a story here. The blade of the St. Maurice is 36 inches long and 2.12 inches at the base, which compares with the following two handers:

Svante - 33.5 x 2
Brescia Spadona - 35.25 x 2.25
Duke - 36 x 2.19

So, it seems that this is basically a two-hander blade on a single-hand sword.

Lets not forget the Gaddhjalt:

Blade length 35.875 "
Blade width at guard 1.93

Weight 2 lbs 7.4 oz

Also a two-hander blade with a one hander grip: Something I've mentioned a few time before. :p :lol:

The St-Maurice is 2.93 lbs lets say 8 oz more!

So on paper these two seem rather close, but a little bit more over what is an already a one hander at the limit of comfortable one hand use can feel like a lot. :eek:

Howard: if this is fair comparison? How would you quantify the handling difference between the Gaddhjalt and the
St-Maurice?

Comparisons aside this is a seriously attractive sword. :cool:

DROOL! I cannot wait for mine to arrive!

Will the scabbard be in the same brown leather as the grip? I'm unsure as to if the original is in good enough shape to tell definitively.

GREAT JOB GUYS! :cool:

Great job as always, Albion! :D I didn't know it was going to have a brown grip (at least that's how it looks in the pic). I wasn't too fond of that hilt design at first, but now I'm quite taken with it. Nice work!

YES!!! Come to Daddy!
I'd hoped to get it in time for my birthday a little more than a month from now, but sooner will do nicely! I can't wait to compare it to the Tritonia and my other big single-handers.
Congratulations to you guys for seeing an important project through to completion.

Brian M

Wow! Holy #@&*! Must have one........

Awesome piece, just love it :)
That's definitely a sword I would take into battle if I were a horseman :D

Could that be the biggest historical single-hander on this planet?

:eek: Wow! :eek:

All I have to say is...Mike, I'll call you next week. :D

Impresive....most impresive :!:

IIRC, Peter said that the historical inspiration for the "Ritter" had a blade that was about 37". (The Ritter was made with a 4" shorter blade.) That would put the original sword in the realm of the SoSMT, size-wise.

Brian M