Greeting, all.

For quite awhile, I've been interested in the Irish culture, primarily due to heritage, and nothing at all to do with leprechauns and St. Patties day. ;)

A friend and I have a habit of browsing a multitude of websites regarding swords. One of which he bought, what he says to be, a well-made piece, that is quite functional and sturdy. I was looking through the albums of the website, just for kicks (was a frequented website, up until I found more reputable dealers, such as Albion, to deal with), and I found a claimed "Battle Ready Irish Sword."

Now I don't much make any claims as to whether or not it is "battle ready," but I would like to know if any thought the below design to actually be based upon historic Irish examples. More broadly put, I was wondering if anybody knew anything about the early swords of the Irish folk.

Thank you, and good day.

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Measures 45" overall, with a 33" blade.

The sword above has no historical conterpart in any culture. I recall that this sword was originally called "the Lord of the Rings" sword or some such title equivalent to that. I think it's aCAS Iberia offering. I've handled one similiar to it at a "Mall Knife Store" (shudder) and it was entirely too heavy and clunky in it's overall design, no, subtlety of design is not a part of this words development background. You mentioned Albion, who offers 2 Irish inspired designs(one still in development). Arms and Armor also makes an Irish ring pommeled sword to which I can attest is a great handling sword.

I also wanted to add that by ancient, did you mean earlier than the late 1400's? all contemporary evidence supports ring pommel styles being a feature of Ireland concurrent with the later 1400's, though it is possible that ring pommels existed as early as the 1200's (the logic being that since hollow circular pommels existed at that time), I personally have not seen any evidence to such.

Early Irish swords were quite different from the rest of the world in that they tended to be very short by comparison(daggers really). Also they used organic hilt components and reflected the earlier "La tene" style lobated or bifurcated pommels and truncated guards. It wasn't until the viking era(approx. 800AD)began that the Irish adopted longer swords of Norse or Danish design with the natural progression of sword design to follow.

I've never heard as to the reason ring pommels became so popular in Ireland. Perhaps someone else out there can shed light on this.

I don't know anything about that reproduction. Durer though does show two handed ring swords with ring pommels. Check it out:

Mr. Stark,
Thank you for identifying this piece. It is a shame to hear such a disapproving recollection of this item. Like I said before, my friend has sword of quite similar simplistic design, marketing info and product code, so I would think they would be alike somewhat. Although I would like to prompt a question: is this sword only bad as a historical representation? I ask this because even though it may be heavy, perhaps it is still relatively well-balanced, possibly being able to serve as a "beater" sword. That is to say, suitable for just swinging around, and clanging steel on steel.

And yes, when I was making this thread, I was thinking of swords perhaps made in the 11th century, however I am not especially picky. I value any and ALL knowledge that I can gain.

Jason,
Thank you for that picture. And yes, most evidence I've seen has included some note of ringed-pommel swords. Personally I wonder how that affects the balancing act done when forging swords.

11th century Irish swords would be of a decidedly Norse or Danish flavor. The famous battle of Clontarf occurred in 1014 AD, Irish, Norse and Danish armies clashing under the banner of Brian Boru. As to the sword itself, I wouldn't recommend it for use as a sword. A friend of mine owned two other swords from the line of swords that this one belongs to and both failed at the tang. Mind you this was almost 13 years ago but from what I have seen this particular series of swords never improved (I believe that they are manufactured in the Phillipines which by itself is not a bad thing if your talking traditional phillipine designs, which these are not). So I would strongly recommend that you NOT use these swords against another.

If you are looking for a cheaper alternative than say Albion's front line of swords, I'd strongly recommend the Albion Squire Line Viking. This style was found to be very common in Ireland, though probably less so towards the end of the 11th century. This line has all the benefits of the same sturdy functional design of the Next Gens minus the sharpened edge and high finish. Good looking lively swords.

Yeah I agree with other posters here, that sword isn't Irish in any shape or form, despite its 'ring pommel'.

Michael Clark wrote:

... perhaps it is still relatively well-balanced, possibly being able to serve as a "beater" sword. That is to say, suitable for just swinging around, and clanging steel on steel.

Not recommended, great danger from chipping/snapping the low-quality steel and from snapping the tang and having the burred sawlike blade scything through the air in any random direction.!
There seems to be very little research into EARLY Irish swords, by that I mean pre-9th-century.
What there is I have always seen rehashed from a single generalised archaeological report illustrating a few blade remains and iron-age hilt forms. I'd love to see something new and better-researched.

I actually (sadly) owned this peice for approximately one afternoon, I got it for free, we took it out to the back yard, I swung it twice at a totami mat, the tang snapped on the secong impact, the handle seperated and I almost launched the blade across my yard, after we got done ensuring everyone and everything was ok we burned the handle, and turned the blade into the best pizza cutter i have ever owned, I think we threw the rest away. sorry if that may have burst any bubbles but seeing it I felt i should save you from actually laying out money for it.