Distribution of Behmer's Migration Period Hilt Types -- myArmoury.com

C.L. Miller

Does anyone have any information on the relative popularity of different hilt types among different peoples during the migration period? Is a preference for type identifiable to specific tribes or geographic areas? From the limited resources I've been able to find on the web, for instance, most of the type III (Oakeshott/Behmer... I believe this is type V under Behmer's original system) finds seem to be in Denmark, and type IV (again, Oakeshott/Behmer) seems strongly associated with Vendel culture, but I've no idea if this is reflective of actual distribution or not. I've found a lot of lovely pictures (some of the best being some type III's posted by Kirk Spencer over at sword forum) but not nearly as much information as I'd like.
My resources are very limited at the moment, and I'd love any recommendations on books I should look into.
Does anyone know were I might be able to obtain a copy of Behmer's "Das Zweischneidige Schwert der Germanischen Völkerwanderungszeit" for instance? Or maybe just a complete typology? (I am only really familiar with the excerpt which appears on Albion's site, borrowed from Oakeshott's reduction of Behmer's typology and which can lead to some confusion; what is there listed as a type III is a type V under the original typology, type I is type II, etc.)
Thanks again!
-Christopher Liebtag Miller

Kirk Lee Spencer · Posted: Tue 12 Oct, 2010 11:12 am Post subject:

I ran across this old thread today. I remember seeing it before and thought that I should try to build a chart showing Behmer's real typology. So many have seen Oakeshotte's simplified "Behmer" typology and assumed this was in some way Behmer's classification.

Five years later I am in the process of building a chart that would show a better representation of Behmer's classification. This chart also includes some basic information on chronology and geography. It has been an off-and-on project over the last couple of years. And considering that it might be years before I ever finish--I have lots of projects but rarely ever finish one--I thought I post it (as it is) on this old thread. I intend on getting it completed some day... The version attached here is a work in progress. However, it should give a better idea of Behmer types.

If anyone sees any errors, let me know.

take care

ks

Paul Hansen · Posted: Wed 13 Oct, 2010 4:07 am Post subject:

Hi Kirk,

Really nice work as always. Happy

Not an error, but the only thing I'm missing is some information on blades and scabbards, since these were a substantial part of Behmer's typology. Nevertheless, your chart really helps to make a complex typology more accessible, also to those who have the book, but don't read German.

Christopher,
Behmer does link various sword types to various tribes, but my personal opinion is that this is a less useful part of the work. During the migration period people/tribes obviously moved around a lot, and their location is only mentioned by a few sources. So if, let's say a source from 480 A.D. says that tribe A lived in location B, that does not mean that somebody buried in 520 A.D. in location B was actually a member of tribe A. And because the sample size of various types sometimes consists of less than 10 swords from one country, let alone tribal area, I think that drawing any definitive conclusions is a bit doubtful.

Goods / weapons also moved around a lot, whether connected to people or not. For instance, the famous Sutton Hoo sword is closely linked in decorative style to some of the Vendel swords. Yet we know that this sword belonged to a Saxon king, not a Vendel who traveled to Britain.

Luka Borscak · Posted: Wed 13 Oct, 2010 10:34 am Post subject:

Thanks Kirk! This is just what I needed for some of my projects...

K J Seago · Posted: Thu 14 Oct, 2010 12:43 am Post subject:

thanks for the regional breakdown, it'll help me too EVENTUALLY finish the composite hilt i started years ago!

Paul Hansen · Posted: Thu 14 Oct, 2010 1:15 pm Post subject:

Stephen Curtin · Posted: Mon 18 Oct, 2010 8:28 am Post subject:

Hi Kirk

First of all let me just say thank you for making this chart. I've always wanted a look at the original Behmer typology and not just Oakeshott's simplification of it. That being said I was just re-reading Oakeshott's Archaeology and I seen that there was a type II, with silver plated hilt, found in Thorsbjerg bog which dates to between 60 - 200 AD. This would place this type earlier than the above chart has it.

The above mentioned type I found at Cumberland with filigree and garnet decoration is also mentioned in Oakeshott but there is no picture. If you happen to have any pictures of this sword (and the Thorsbjerg one also) I would be very greatful if you could share them. Thank in advance.

Paul Hansen · Posted: Mon 18 Oct, 2010 10:43 am Post subject:

Stephen Curtin · Posted: Mon 18 Oct, 2010 1:16 pm Post subject:

Hey Paul thanks for that. I've actually seen this sword in a plate of Osprey's Anglo Saxon Theign. If you've seen this what do you think of their version of it?

Paul Hansen · Posted: Thu 04 Nov, 2010 3:51 am Post subject:

Stephen Curtin · Posted: Thu 04 Nov, 2010 5:10 am Post subject:

Stephen Curtin · Posted: Mon 17 Jan, 2011 1:21 am Post subject:

Ok time for another question, in the type I section of the above chart there is a line drawing of a sword could someone here tell me anything about this e.g. where it was found etc.

Kirk Lee Spencer · Posted: Thu 20 Jan, 2011 8:56 pm Post subject:

Stephen Curtin · Posted: Fri 21 Jan, 2011 5:09 am Post subject:

Hey Kirk, thanks. Do you happen to have any more info about this hilt e.g. date, material its made from, etc? Or better yet a colour picture, if you don't it's ok as knowing where it was found is very helpful, thanks again.

Paul Hansen · Posted: Wed 04 Jan, 2012 12:50 pm Post subject:

Kirk Lee Spencer · Posted: Mon 27 Feb, 2012 5:04 am Post subject:

Matthew Bunker · Posted: Mon 14 May, 2012 4:20 am Post subject:

Stephen Curtin · Posted: Mon 14 May, 2012 9:36 am Post subject:

WOW thanks Mat for the pics, really appreciate it. I agree about sixth century date.

Wilhelm S. · Posted: Mon 14 May, 2012 11:07 am Post subject:

Len Parker · Posted: Fri 28 Jul, 2023 10:25 am Post subject:

Some measurements for the Hogom sword here: https://www.academia.edu/45613821/H%C3%B6gom_Part_I_The_excavations_1949_1984 Hilt length: 140mm Guards: 125mm It says a hand of 9cm would fit the grip. I would estimate the grip at 9.3 or 9.4cm.