Falchions -- myArmoury.com

Gordon Clark · Posted: Fri 03 Oct, 2003 10:15 am Post subject: Falchions

I'm doing late 15th century living history and was thinking of getting a falchion for my footsoldier persona.
I remember a review by Bjorn H. at some point in the past that indicated that the Del Tin falchion was a good bet "sword wise", but that one is listed by Albion as 13th century. Does anybody know if falchions changed much over that time period?

Anyone have other suggestions or experience with other production choices?

Finally, I'm assuming that a falchion did not go in a scabbard? Do you hang it from your belt by a thong or ...

Gordon

Sean Flynt · Posted: Fri 03 Oct, 2003 12:34 pm Post subject:

Hey, Gordon! I wrote the myArmoury.com review of the MRL/Windlass Falchion, which is early 14th so not what you'd want. However, I ran across much information in my research for the article. You'll find falchions depicted in artwork of the 15th c., especially, if I remember correctly, in depictions of the martyrdom of St. Barbara (see one such, ca. 1510, below or do an internet search). In Prague this summer I saw a falchion of this period depicted as being carried in a scabbard that was split along the back edge from the throat of the scabbard to approximately eight-tenths its total length. It looked to me like the scabbard must have a wooden core.The opening in the back of the scabbard might have been so narrow that it kept pressure on the weapon to prevent it from shifting while the last bit of scabbard/chape secured the distal end. That's pure conjecture on my part. As you can see in my review ( http://www.myArmoury.com/review_mrl_falc.html ), the MRL scabbard is just a regular scabbard wide enough at the throat to accomodate the widest part of the blade. There's no reason this couldn't have been done with relatively narrow bladed weapons. I suppose the more dramatically shaped blades would have needed a suspension system like the one described above. I think you'd be looking for a storta or a short, wide blade with clipped point, simple recurved quillons and/or knucklbow and a grip more like what you'd find on a 17th or 18th c. hanger rather than a medieval-style grip and pommel. I'm thinking of a simpler version of A&A's Medici Falchion, which is dated to mid 16th c. (see Nathan's review at http://www.myArmoury.com/swor_aa_falc.html?3 ). If you go to the site with the larger image of the one below ( http://sunsite.icm.edu.pl/cjackson/cranach1/p-cran1-12.htm ) you'll get a detailed view of the scabbard construction. However, I can't tell if it's open at the back. Doesn't appear to be, but I'm not sure how that blade would fit otherwise. If you're into DIY, you could get the inexpensive MRL Badelaire (around $150) and alter it a bit to fit into the period of your interest. This badelaire is reputedly a good weapon, and the blade form was in use long after the Conyers and Thorpe types had faded. Depictions of John Smith's late 16th / early 17th c. falchion aren't too far from this form, so the MRL badelaire might not even need any modification to fit into your period. Finally, here's a falchion of ca. 1530, with basic stats and a very clear view of the scabbard's interior construction: http://www.catsdiablopage.com/falchion.htm

Mike Fletcher · Posted: Fri 03 Oct, 2003 4:29 pm Post subject:

Hello Gordon,

Here is a nifty 14th century French falshion from Manning Imperial
http://www.manningimperial.com/item.php?item_...group_id=1

Regards,

Mike

Mike Fletcher · Posted: Fri 03 Oct, 2003 4:40 pm Post subject:

Also, Lutel makes a 14th century falchion which would probably work for 15th century too (and it comes with a sheath, hanger and belt).
http://www.lutel.cz

Regards,

Mike

Björn Hellqvist · myArmoury Alumni

Gordon Clark · Posted: Sat 04 Oct, 2003 6:06 am Post subject:

Thanks guys.
That Manning falchion looks nice.

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

Mike Fletcher · Posted: Mon 06 Oct, 2003 9:46 am Post subject:

Eugene George · Posted: Mon 06 Oct, 2003 1:19 pm Post subject: Aww..

Björn Hellqvist · myArmoury Alumni

Joachim Nilsson · Posted: Sun 12 Oct, 2003 10:31 pm Post subject:

Speaking of falchions... Does anyone know of any manufacturer or company that makes a good, well balanced and (historically) accurate messer or gross messer? I've already read the review of Cold Steel's grossmesser and was more or less put off from the (rather) poor handling characteristics... Worried

I've looked around quite a bit, but haven't found any nice examples.

Lodovico Zago · Posted: Thu 09 Dec, 2010 5:20 am Post subject:

Martin Wallgren · Posted: Thu 09 Dec, 2010 5:28 am Post subject:

Thanks for the information!

Alas Joachim will not be able to use it. He passed away in July 2008.

Nathan F · Posted: Thu 09 Dec, 2010 12:07 pm Post subject:

albion are making messers why not try them? as for falchions i know a British guy who makes excellent ones i have only handled one and it was nice a bit slow for my liking but he has a good reputation tell me what you think. he also does messers. there was also a Czech manufacturer who makes good messers but i lost the link.
http://heronarmoury.co.uk/falchionallery.htm