Are these anything (Roman/Migration era help here)? -- myArmoury.com

David Wilson

I have a few swords. That's not important right now. What is important is that some of them are interesting, and deserve some sort of identification. Are they historically accurate, is what I'm asking about here. So, here goes:

1. The first sword is a CAS Iberia Spatha. from the early 90's. I am content to call it a "fantasy" spatha-esque sword, but I just want to see if it's more than that. Upon looking at the blade, I think it might be considered a Straubing-Nydam style. The hilt? Well, Most likely "fantasy". But still... never hurts to collect opinions....
2. The second sword is a Michael "Tinker' Pearce "Early Viking Sword". A nice sword, with wonderful handling qualities, as should be expected from Tinker. But what is it really? To me, it looks like a Behmer type 2 hilt without the metal-plated grip. That would put it in the 5th century AD, a bit early for a Viking sword (even I believe most were found in Denmark and some other Scandinavian lands, which, if you stretch it, might be considered "early Viking" -- way early)....

Anyway, thoughts? Opinions? Facts and research? Or am I just off?

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

I'm not able to answer your questions directly but I wanted to take the opportunity to say that you never cease to amaze me at the diversity and depth of your collection.

Nicely done.

Cheers!

Timo Nieminen

David Wilson · Posted: Mon 15 Aug, 2011 5:50 pm Post subject:

David Wilson

Paul Hansen

My thoughts:

Sword 1: The cross-section of the blade is rhomboid in shape. Migration age swords are virtually always lenticular, with or without fuller(s).
The hilt vaguely resembles the Nydam style (Behmer type II), but the Behmer type II swords don't have much of a pommel and are metal plated.

Sword 2: The blade is of more or less correct shape, but perhaps a bit narrow. The shape of the fuller is something I've not seen in migration age swords. The hilt looks like a Petersen type M (approx. 800-975 A.D.), but the guards seen to be a bit on the short side.

So I would place both swords more in the realm of fantasy than in the world of accurate reproductions of historical sword types.

Nevertheless, I have to say that I find both swords are quite attractive in their own right. The Tinker one must feel nice in hand as well...

Johan Gemvik · Posted: Tue 16 Aug, 2011 10:16 am Post subject:

Sword 2 - I've seen sevaral similar "H-shape" hilted swords from that age, but none with the handshake knot decoration like that. Still, I wouldn't be much surprised to see one dug up either.

There's plenty of variation on width and length of blades from vendel and viking age, quite a few that don't even fit the standard classifications we use today for them. Most finds that are special in tha regard rarely see the light of day as most museums tend to show the big macho swords more than the "child" or perhaps "lady" sized ones.

David Wilson · Posted: Wed 17 Aug, 2011 4:58 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the replies! They've been interesting and informative.

Of course, any other responses are welcome too!