| Author |
Message |
|
Nathan Johnson
Location: Australia Joined: 05 Apr 2008
Posts: 41
|
 Posted: Wed 10 Dec, 2008 9:31 pm Post subject: Swedish polearm |
 |
|
Hi all, I am expanding my polearm colection and need info on a paticular weapon but don't know what its called.
i've seen it in woodcuts where Landsknecht are fighting Swedish footsoldiers, a kind of staff sword/ spear made from a sword blade with an "S" guard attached to a pole.
Dose anyone Know what its called or how its made?(I think it is made like a Japanese Polearm with the tang of the blade set into the shaft but I don't know for sure) I'd like to try and make one from sword parts next year.
|
|
   |
 |
Greg Coffman
|
| Posted: Thu 11 Dec, 2008 1:22 am Post subject: |
|
|
If you could show us or provide a link to some of those woodcuts then that would help a lot.
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
-Hebrews 4:12
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nathan Johnson
Location: Australia Joined: 05 Apr 2008
Posts: 41
|
| Posted: Thu 11 Dec, 2008 1:53 am Post subject: |
|
|
They are shown in Paul Dolstein's pictures
 Attachment: 73.02 KB
|
|
|
|
|
|
Søren Niedziella
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Joined: 02 Oct 2003
Posts: 103
|
|
|
|
|
|
F. Carl Holz
|
| Posted: Thu 11 Dec, 2008 4:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
Wow! are there any manuals or recorded techniques for those?
Yeah, that is an awesome polearm!
|
|
|
|
|
Sean Flynt
|
|
 |
|
Craig Peters
|
| Posted: Thu 11 Dec, 2008 5:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Sean Flynt wrote: | | You'd probably be well served by Italian manuals covering the partizan. Silver might cover it but I don't recall. |
Really, any sort of manuals covering a polearm would work. Essentially, this weapon is a modified form of spear, so anything on the spear or staff would be relevant.
|
|
|
|
|
David Black Mastro
|
| Posted: Thu 11 Dec, 2008 7:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Nathan Johnson wrote: | | They are shown in Paul Dolstein's pictures |
Nothing quite like getting the top-spike of a halberd in the family jewels...
As for the Swede's polearm, Dolstein himself wrote that they were "made from swords" (see Landsknecht Soldier 1486-1560 by John Richards).
"Why meddle with us--you are not strong enough to break us--you know that you have won the battle and slaughtered our army--be content with your honor, and leave us alone, for by God's good will only have we escaped from this business" --unknown Spanish captain to the Chevalier Bayard, at the Battle of Ravenna, 1512
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter Johnsson
Industry Professional
|
| Posted: Thu 11 Dec, 2008 11:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The ones I have seen (4-5) have all had specially forged blades, not re-used sword blades.
I do not doubt that sword blades were used, and perhaps on most.
There was an export from Passau to scandinavia of second rate blades. Many are type XX, in scandinavia commonly found on two handed swords with typical pretzel guard and apple shape pommel. Such blades could be useful as polearms, as they are quite thick and sturdy. Dolnstein would have recognized the Passau mark of the running wolf and the bishop staff.
It seems to me that the normal way to fit them would have been to cut the tang of the sword, and punch two or three holes in the forte of the sword. It was fitted into a slot in the pole. The S-curved guard has a tube shaped mid section. This reaches some two or three inches down over the pole. through this is driven rivets, passing through the whole construction.
This is the general principle construction as far as I can tell from surviving parts.
Some kind of reinforcing langets would also have been common. Straight, or as is suggested in Dolnsteins drawings: spiraling down the pole.
The blades I have seen have been of varying shape. Not as large as full sized swords. Often about 50-60 cm. One was broad and rather crudely made. Seems like it was forged in a village smithy. Another was more fancy: narrow, and of thick back-edge construction. It had a "ricasso" at the base and then one full length edge and one half length edge. More of a narrow thrusting point than a broad slashing one.
|
|
|
|
|
Olov Tidemalm
|
| Posted: Fri 12 Dec, 2008 3:29 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
Peter: You don't happen to have pictures of any originals you are willing to share with us? I have been thinkting about building me one for years, but haven't gotten around to do it yet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This is a standard topic