Danish viking two-hander? -- myArmoury.com

Myles Mulkey · Posted: Sun 29 May, 2011 3:42 pm Post subject: Danish viking two-hander?

Hey guys,

I know that viking two-handers have been discussed here before, but this post on Wareham Forge's site from a while back intrigued me.
http://warehamforgeblog.blogspot.com/2008/12/...icial.html
If you scroll down you'll see a sword in the exhibit that looks two-handed. The sword itself is not old, since there's not even any visible rust on the blade. But I was wondering if this was a reproduction of some unheard of find.

Maybe a Victorian-era viking revival fantasy piece? I'd love to hear some more thoughts.

Nicholas A. Gaese · Posted: Sun 29 May, 2011 4:33 pm Post subject:

As far as I know its actually a 16th century sword, along with another two-hander made roughly the same time period. If memory serves me well theres another thread about these swords somewhere in depths of this forum. During the 16th and 17th centuries it seemed there was an occasional longing for the old days and older style arms and armor were sometimes made to match. Funny how that happens eh?

Toke Krebs Niclasen · Posted: Mon 30 May, 2011 2:16 am Post subject:

The closest I have seen is this.
http://www.arn-swords.com/swords/ulvbanes-sword.aspx

It is a really long and heavy one hander.

Myles Mulkey · Posted: Mon 30 May, 2011 6:16 pm Post subject:

Wow Nicholas, those are pretty awesome. I would never have guessed 16th Century. Thanks for clearing that up.

Nicholas A. Gaese · Posted: Mon 30 May, 2011 8:59 pm Post subject:

No problem at all,

been looking for a bit using the search engine to find the original thread but havent been lucky on that Sad

figured the extra context could shed more light on the swords for you. Hopefully someone who remembers that thread might chime in should you need any more info about them.

Regards.

Scott Woodruff · Posted: Mon 30 May, 2011 10:42 pm Post subject:

Wow! those are awesome. I have heard bits and pieces about such swords in Oakeshott's books and elsewhere and have always wondered what they looked like. Now I know! Now if only I could just find a picture of the two-hander from Viking-age Ireland mentioned by Oakeshott.

Scott Woodruff · Posted: Mon 30 May, 2011 10:45 pm Post subject:

I forgot to ask, is that type Z hilt recycled from an older sword or was it forged anew? Probably no way of knowing, but I thought I would ask.

Michael Ekelmann · Posted: Tue 31 May, 2011 1:41 am Post subject:

IIRC from my visit to the Danish National Museum, the whole sword was made as a ceremonial sword to hearken back to swords from the early days of the Danish kingdom. They also claimed the silver pommel and lobed quillons inspired the Scottish claymore, but I'm still skeptible.

Paul Hansen · Posted: Tue 31 May, 2011 1:51 am Post subject:

I've attached a photo from the caption at the Nationalmuseet. I think it says it all...

Scott Woodruff · Posted: Wed 01 Jun, 2011 5:03 am Post subject:

Thanks Paul. I wonder what the measurements on these swords are, they look pretty short-bladed. The proportions definitely remind me of other long-hilted, short-bladed Scandinavian longswords.

Anders Backlund · Posted: Wed 01 Jun, 2011 6:52 am Post subject:

Oh, I remember those things now! I always thought they were totally awesome: They're like really, really early fantasy swords. Laughing Out Loud

Thom Jason · Posted: Wed 01 Jun, 2011 12:25 pm Post subject:

Here's a modern one I asked Jake Powning to make for me a few years ago:

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=3910

Myles Mulkey · Posted: Wed 01 Jun, 2011 4:49 pm Post subject:

Nice Thom, I envy you on that one.

Paul, that does indeed say it all. Thanks for your help