Yesterday I was searching for pictures of swords from Oakeshott's Records of the Medieval Sword from the Nationalmuseet Copenhagen Denmark when I came across the "sword-site.com" website.

The site states that Type XIV.6 was sold at private auction (Bonhams).

I then went to the Bonhams website and found the auction below:

Bonhams Auction 19796 (2012)
Antique Arms and Armour including items from the E.A. Christensen Collection
http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/19796/

PDF downloadable catalogue is available from above link with pictures and write up of each of the lots.


Type XIV.6 ((Records Of The Medieval Sword) ???
Lot 77
http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/19796/lot/77/
http://sword-site.com/thread/279/oakeshott-type-sword-late-1400s

Unfortunately Bonhams doesn't confirm that this is Type XIV.6 from Records.
What do you all think, is this Type XIV.6?

The auction heading states it includes items from "E.A. Christensen" and Oakeshott states that Christensen did own Type XIV.6
Also Christensen's sketch of the sword in Records states the blade length is 82 cms and Bonhams also quote this as the blade length.


Looking further Bonhams confirms that 2 other swords from Records were sold by them at the same auction.


Type XVII.2 (Records Of The Medieval Sword, 1991, p. 160)
Lot 76
http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/19796/lot/76/


Type XVII.5 (Records Of The Medieval Sword, 1991, p. 163)
Lot 78
http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/19796/lot/78/
http://www.bonhams.com/press_release/11619/
http://www.bonhams.com/press_release/12076/


This is pretty amazing, 3 swords from Records all sold at private auction at the same time.
So if you're looking for some good quality pictures of these swords, then go to the above links and download the PDF catalogue.
Its just a pity Bonhams doesn't provide further dimensions and weights for each of the swords.

Lastly does anyone know of any other swords from "Records" that have been sold at auction in recent times?
If so are they available online? Please provide details / links.
I'm always on the hunt for more information and pictures of the swords from "Records of the Medieval Sword".

Thanks and enjoy.

Danny

http://sword-site.com/thread/279/oakeshott-type-sword-late-1400s

I absolutely love this sword, it is one of the great extant swords.

It's a beauty for sure. I also think that it is XIV.6, but I don't have any more direct information than you do. It's strange that Bonhams wouldn't report this, since they did with the other two... Bonhams and Records both cite Hoffmeyer's catalogue, does anyone have access to that?

I know of (possibly) two other swords in Records that have come up for auction...

http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/14917/lot/116

This one is either Unclassified #5 on page 223 or it's identical twin! The grip has apparently been removed since Oakeshott published it.

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/2024713

I'm less sure of this one, but this one sold by Czerny's may be XIIIa.15, with the type S beveled-cube pommel. Only an illustration of the hilt is shown in Records but it seems consistent to me, as do the dimensions. It's quite small though, and the hilt isn't long enough for an XIIIa... Even if it's not the same sword, I'd be interested if anyone has any more information/photos of XIIIa.15.

Forgot this one! XII.1 was sold by Hermann Historica:

http://www.pba-auctions.com/html/fiche.jsp?id...f=5&r=

XIII.1 will be up for auction at Bonhams later this month:
http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/22991/lot/172/
[ Linked Image ]

Hi Mark,

The sword you posted above - XIII.1 in Records - is a superb piece, originally excavated and subsequently cleaned. It sold for £10,000 at the auction at Bonhams on 23rd July (Lot 172). A few days before the auction, I went to the viewing to have a good look at it, and was amazed at just how shallow the triple fullers are, much shallower than the published photos suggest. The sword weighs 1,666g (c.3 lb 10.75 oz), which is quite heavy for its size but not unusually so. As such, its perceived balance feels a little blade-heavy but this is just right for dealing heavy cutting blows.

A few stats (assuming anyone is interested)...

Length overall: 98.3cm. Blade length: 78.5cm (to the crossguard). Width of blade at forte: 4.95cm. Thickness at forte: 6.85mm.
Point of balance: 10.5cm from crossguard. Centre of percussion (CoP): c.27cm from the tip. Width of blade at CoP: 3.84cm. Thickness at CoP: 4.35mm (the cross section here is lenticular). Span of crossguard: 20.65cm. Length of grip (tang only): 13.5cm. Length of pommel: 4.9cm (a small tang button adds 3mm).

The blade length matches that published by Oakeshott in Records very closely (and certainly within reasonable tolerance), although his statement that the weight was "just over 3 lbs" is, as usual, quite far off the mark. The stats above for blade thickness, point of balance and centre of percussion all confirm the perceived 'feel' of the sword in one's hand. There is enough mass at the CoP for this sword to inflict some quite severe blunt trauma injuries even through protective armour. Its sharp cutting edges are basically a continuation of the lenticular bevel of the blade, with no secondary bevel.

Overall, a lovely sword that was very interesting to handle.

Thank you very much for this post. I wouldn't guess that this sword is as thick at the base and CoP as you stated. It really is one of those XIII swords made for tough battlefield conditions and hard strikes against mail or even early coat of plates and not just for cutting soft and squishy targets. I would love to have a replica of it.

Thanks for sharing all those hands-on details, Clive! Not a whole lot of opportunity to see authentic pieces close up in my part of the world, so it's nice to get a sense for some of the little details you'll never make out in a photo....