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Nathan Robinson
myArmoury Admin
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 Posted: Wed 17 Nov, 2004 6:50 pm Post subject: German Hand-and-a-Half, circa 1420 |
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An Exceptionally Fine German Hand-and-a-Half Sword, circa 1420
Click for detailed version
With an egg-shaped pommel engraved on its faceted outer face with the name maria in gothic minuscule characters between panels of scrolls, horizontally recurved and gently arched quillons of flattened triangular section, widening very slightly to their ends and decorated on their outer face with a series of pinched medial ridges, long tang struck with a maker's mark formed of a pair of crossed axes within a circle, and a long tapering blade of flattened hexagonal section at the forte and of flattened diamond section for the remainder of its length, inlaid in latten on each side of the forte with a series of maker's marks involving crossed swords.
Overall length: 49 1/4 in Blade length: 38 1/2 in
 
Click for detailed version
This outstanding and beautifully preserved weapon, found in a tomb near Breslau, Silesia, in the late 1930s, is of a kind classified by Oakeshott, on the basis of the shape and proportions of its blade, as Type XVII: arguably the most elegant of all forms of Medieval sword. The earliest unequivocal evidence for the use of the type is provided by two examples in the Kantonales Antiquarium, Aarau, Switzerland, which were obtained from the graves of the Austrian knights Friedrich von Tarant and Friedrich von Griffenstein who fell in the Battle of Sempach in 1386.
Evidence for its continuing use in the first half of the following century is provided by an example formerly in the Christensen Collection, Copenhagen, which bears an Arabic inscription recording its deposition as war-booty in the arsenal at Alexandria in 1427; see No. 4 in this catalogue. One of the latest and largest weapons of the type is the 'Pearl' sword of the City of Bristol, which bears an inscription recording its presentation to the city by Sir John de Wells during his term as Mayor of London in 1431. The present example rivals it not only in size, but also in quality.
A particularly attractive feature of the sword under discussion is the engraved decoration of its pommel, including the name 'Maria', invoking the support of the Virgin Mary. The pommel is unusual among Medieval examples in being of egg-shaped form, but can be paralleled by one featured on a bronze statue of David in the Museo Bargello, Florence, sculpted by Donatello about 1430-32. It might indeed be viewed as a somewhat rounded version of the faceted 'scent-stopper' type of pommel used from about 1390-1445, and particularly popular in the period 1400-40.
The quillons of the sword under discussion are notable for being forged on their outer face with a series of pinched ridges. Relief-decorated quillons were of the greatest rarity in the Middle Ages. The earliest recorded examples, formed as ragged staves, are those occurring on a sword in the Historisches Museum, Dresden, given to the Prince Elector Friedrich I of Saxony by the Emperor Sigismund I in 1425, and probably made in Hungary in the period 1419-25. Very similar to the quillons of the present sword in both shape and cross-section are those of a sword in the Musee de Cluny, Paris, identified as that of the Emperor Friedrich III (1415-1440-1493). These are decorated on their outer face with transverse raised and recessed bands. Plain quillons of the same slightly spatulate, medially ridged form can be seen on eight swords in the Askeri Museum, Istanbul. These bear Arabic inscriptions indicating that they were deposited in the arsenal at Alexandria in the period 1401-08. Taking all of its features into consideration, the sword shown here is most likely to have been made in the earliest decades of the 15th century.
Swords of Oakeshott's Type XVII are notable for their weight, and have been likened to 'stout, sharp-pointed bars'. They were quite clearly devised as a dual-purpose weapon that would be capable both of crushing and of piercing the gaps in the full plate armour that was then coming into widespread use. The present impressively proportioned weapon, approaching in size that of a two-handed sword, is not only an unusually attractive example of its kind, but must in its day have been an effective and extremely formidable one to meet in conflict.
Literature: Oakeshott, E. The Sword in the Age of Chivalry, Woodbridge, Suffolk, 1994.
Copyright © 2001 Peter Finer
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Alina Boyden
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| Posted: Wed 17 Nov, 2004 8:18 pm Post subject: |
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gorgeous sword
I really like these antique sword profiles you put up.
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Nathan Robinson
myArmoury Admin
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Alina Boyden
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| Posted: Thu 18 Nov, 2004 12:08 am Post subject: |
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| Nathan Robinson wrote: | | Alina Boyden wrote: | | I really like these antique sword profiles you put up. |
Thanks, Alina, I am glad to hear this! I know I enjoy reading these things.. was hoping somebody else would too. |
Well I am paying like 14,000 dollars per year to study medieval europe 
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Pamela Muir
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| Posted: Thu 18 Nov, 2004 4:10 am Post subject: oh my! |
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Maybe it's because I haven't finished my coffee yet, but, oh my, there is something about that sword that left me breathless! Thank you for putting up that profile 
Pamela Muir
Founder/Lead Instructor
Academy of Chivalric Martial Arts
"I need a hero. I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night. He's gotta be strong, And he's gotta be fast, And he's gotta be fresh from the fight." ~Steinman/Pitchford
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Alina Boyden
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| Posted: Thu 18 Nov, 2004 11:16 am Post subject: |
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Interestingly enough, this posting made me look at the Sempach and Landgraf swords of Albion more closely. But I came to the same conclusion I always do - I'd rather have a Duke. Got any pics of big monster choppers in there Nathan?
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Patrik Erik Lars Lindblom
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| Posted: Thu 18 Nov, 2004 11:17 am Post subject: |
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This one really look like a big neddle and like it would have low weight,
but when i look at the tang on it, the size of that are not small,
what can it be 15-20mm in a square or something,
i am not supriced if it have a weight around 1.8kilo or 4 pound, if not more. 
Funny crossguard it have, nice looking frontside, like the owner want to hide the size of it. 
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Jeremiah Swanger
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| Posted: Thu 18 Nov, 2004 4:08 pm Post subject: Re: German Hand-and-a-Half, circa 1420 |
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| Nathan Robinson wrote: | An Exceptionally Fine German Hand-and-a-Half Sword, circa 1420
With an egg-shaped pommel engraved on its faceted outer face with the name maria in gothic minuscule characters between panels of scrolls, horizontally recurved and gently arched quillons of flattened triangular section, widening very slightly to their ends and decorated on their outer face with a series of pinched medial ridges, long tang struck with a maker's mark formed of a pair of crossed axes within a circle, and a long tapering blade of flattened hexagonal section at the forte and of flattened diamond section for the remainder of its length, inlaid in latten on each side of the forte with a series of maker's marks involving crossed swords.
Overall length: 49 1/4 in Blade length: 38 1/2 in |
Very nice! I like the sleek, pointed, Gothic lines of that blade.
Albion's Landgraf comes to mind upon viewing those quillons...
That's a good 10 & 3/4 inch difference between the blade length and overall length, so this had to have a fairly roomy grip, about 8 to 8.5 inches, I'd say, judging from the guard and pommel. Definitely geared for 2-handed use, at least from what I can see...
But, I like my sword blades like I like my women-- nicely filled-out!
Nevertheless, from an aesthetic standpoint, lines and proportions were definitely taken into heavy consideration by whomever crafted it.
Is it just the lighting? Or does that fuller continue almost right up to the tip? If so, that is definitely a very thick blade, with little to no distal taper...
"Rhaegar fought nobly.
Rhaegar fought valiantly.
Rhaegar fought honorably.
And Rhaegar died."
- G.R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire
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Gary Grzybek
Location: Stillwater N.J. Joined: 25 Aug 2003
Posts: 559
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| Posted: Thu 18 Nov, 2004 4:43 pm Post subject: |
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| Patrik Erik Lars Lindblom wrote: | This one really look like a big neddle and like it would have low weight,
but when i look at the tang on it, the size of that are not small,
what can it be 15-20mm in a square or something,
i am not supriced if it have a weight around 1.8kilo or 4 pound, if not more.
Funny crossguard it have, nice looking frontside, like the owner want to hide the size of it. |
You would guess 4 pounds?
I'd say by the look of it's profile it weighs more like 3.5 lbs
Anyway, that's one big "sticker" and it probably handles like a dream 
Gary Grzybek
ARMA Northern N.J.
www.armastudy.org
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Russ Ellis
Industry Professional
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| Posted: Thu 18 Nov, 2004 8:48 pm Post subject: |
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as Type XVII: arguably the most elegant of all forms of Medieval sword
Okay I'll argue. These things are very nearly an impact weapon rather then a sword. I've never liked the type and I'm pretty sure I remember reading in Oakeshott someplace that he didn't think much of them either.
One should note that this is just my personal preference and that eventually I'll own one too (in fact I'm looking forward to seeing a Sempach in the very near future here).
However, in my opinion these swords have more in common with crowbars then cutting weapons.
(Well it was getting a little dull around here anyway)
TRITONWORKS Custom Scabbards
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Nathan Robinson
myArmoury Admin
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Patrick Kelly
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| Posted: Thu 18 Nov, 2004 9:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Russ Ellis wrote: | as Type XVII: arguably the most elegant of all forms of Medieval sword
Okay I'll argue. These things are very nearly an impact weapon rather then a sword. I've never liked the type and I'm pretty sure I remember reading in Oakeshott someplace that he didn't think much of them either.
One should note that this is just my personal preference and that eventually I'll own one too (in fact I'm looking forward to seeing a Sempach in the very near future here).
However, in my opinion these swords have more in common with crowbars then cutting weapons.
(Well it was getting a little dull around here anyway) |
And this is where I have to argue with you Russ
I felt much the same as you until I was able to spend time with an accurate copy of the type (the Sempach).
Like oakeshott I'd always felt that these swords were glorified ice picks with very little visual appeal. Now that I've spent time handling and cutting with one I find that I like it quite a bit.
No, it won't take an aggressive cutting edge like some of the earlier, or later types but it isn't meant to. I do agree that in a sense it's meant to be an impact weapon as well. The cross section is very thick in comparison the earlier types. This was done as an attempt at increasing durability when used against the transitional armor of the day. It wouldn't cut through but it might stun your opponent, without breaking in the process. It won't take a really sharp edge since the bevels are so acute, but it will cut soft targets surprisingly well. (like all those unarmoured types running around a medieval battlefield). It still isn't one of my all-time faves but I do have an appreciation for the type that I didn't before.
In reality it's a very interesting type that illustrates an important step in the knightly swords evolution.
"In valor there is hope.".................. Tacitus
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Geoff Wood
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| Posted: Thu 18 Nov, 2004 10:31 pm Post subject: Re: German Hand-and-a-Half, circa 1420 |
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| Jeremiah Swanger wrote: |
Is it just the lighting? Or does that fuller continue almost right up to the tip? If so, that is definitely a very thick blade, with little to no distal taper... |
Are you sure that's a fuller?
Geoff
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Patrick Kelly
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| Posted: Thu 18 Nov, 2004 11:17 pm Post subject: Re: German Hand-and-a-Half, circa 1420 |
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| Geoff Wood wrote: | | Jeremiah Swanger wrote: |
Is it just the lighting? Or does that fuller continue almost right up to the tip? If so, that is definitely a very thick blade, with little to no distal taper... |
Are you sure that's a fuller?
Geoff |
I don't think it is.
Close examination of the full length shots compared to the hilt close-ups leads me to believe that the blade features a hexagonal section without a fuller. This is very common in this type of sword, and one of the reasons Oakeshott felt they were boring visually.
"In valor there is hope.".................. Tacitus
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Nathan Robinson
myArmoury Admin
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Gary Grzybek
Location: Stillwater N.J. Joined: 25 Aug 2003
Posts: 559
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| Posted: Fri 19 Nov, 2004 5:30 am Post subject: |
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| Nathan Robinson wrote: | | I agree with Patrick. It took me a few times of looking at it to really decide. Also, the description doesn't say there's a fuller so that clinched it for me. I believe it's just a shadow on the flat of the blade, as Patrick points out. |
Yea, looks like were seeing the spine as it narrows down the blade. Notice how it travels the entire length?
Gary Grzybek
ARMA Northern N.J.
www.armastudy.org
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Russ Ellis
Industry Professional
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| Posted: Fri 19 Nov, 2004 6:11 am Post subject: |
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| Patrick Kelly wrote: | | Russ Ellis wrote: | as Type XVII: arguably the most elegant of all forms of Medieval sword
Okay I'll argue. These things are very nearly an impact weapon rather then a sword. I've never liked the type and I'm pretty sure I remember reading in Oakeshott someplace that he didn't think much of them either.
One should note that this is just my personal preference and that eventually I'll own one too (in fact I'm looking forward to seeing a Sempach in the very near future here).
However, in my opinion these swords have more in common with crowbars then cutting weapons.
(Well it was getting a little dull around here anyway) |
And this is where I have to argue with you Russ
I felt much the same as you until I was able to spend time with an accurate copy of the type (the Sempach).
Like oakeshott I'd always felt that these swords were glorified ice picks with very little visual appeal. Now that I've spent time handling and cutting with one I find that I like it quite a bit.
No, it won't take an aggressive cutting edge like some of the earlier, or later types but it isn't meant to. I do agree that in a sense it's meant to be an impact weapon as well. The cross section is very thick in comparison the earlier types. This was done as an attempt at increasing durability when used against the transitional armor of the day. It wouldn't cut through but it might stun your opponent, without breaking in the process. It won't take a really sharp edge since the bevels are so acute, but it will cut soft targets surprisingly well. (like all those unarmoured types running around a medieval battlefield). It still isn't one of my all-time faves but I do have an appreciation for the type that I didn't before.
In reality it's a very interesting type that illustrates an important step in the knightly swords evolution. |
Well, I can't say that I won't find myself in the same boat once I actually see this Sempach. The guy that is having it shipped here was certainly taken with the one he saw.
BUT would you call it one of the most elegant types of medieval sword?
This type could be the one that got all those "western swords were heavy bars of iron that were barely sharp" things started...
TRITONWORKS Custom Scabbards
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Jeremiah Swanger
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| Posted: Fri 19 Nov, 2004 6:15 am Post subject: |
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| Nathan Robinson wrote: | | I agree with Patrick. It took me a few times of looking at it to really decide. Also, the description doesn't say there's a fuller so that clinched it for me. I believe it's just a shadow on the flat of the blade, as Patrick points out. |
Gah! 
This sword is screwing with my head, man!
"Rhaegar fought nobly.
Rhaegar fought valiantly.
Rhaegar fought honorably.
And Rhaegar died."
- G.R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire
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Alexi Goranov
myArmoury Alumni
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| Posted: Fri 19 Nov, 2004 6:53 am Post subject: |
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| Russ Ellis wrote: |
Well, I can't say that I won't find myself in the same boat once I actually see this Sempach. The guy that is having it shipped here was certainly taken with the one he saw.
BUT would you call it one of the most elegant types of medieval sword?
This type could be the one that got all those "western swords were heavy bars of iron that were barely sharp" things started... |
Elegance and beauty are in the eye of the beholder. Oakeshott ticks me off when he makes a statement that this type of sword is generally more beautiful than that. He makes such statements for the migration period weapons as well.
What I find beautiful might be be considerably visually displeasing to someone else, and vise versa.
I am not sure if we can make ANY arguments whether this this is more elegant than that. Oakeshott himself went on a rant (I think it was in "sword in hand") how type XVII vary and one will be light, well balanced weapon and another one will be a 4-5lb boat-anchor. Yet they were all period weapons that served their purpose rather successfully (i'd presume).
Yes type XVII is different than the the other types, and they have their OWN elegance. According to some they might be THE MOST ELEGANT, and according to some they might be THE MOST REPULSIVE. I like them and appreciate them for what they are.
Sempach is definitely on my list after the Duke comes in December.
Alexi
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Russ Ellis
Industry Professional
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| Posted: Fri 19 Nov, 2004 8:13 am Post subject: |
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I would agree that whether you like something or not is in the eye of the beholder, it's all subjective. However words do mean something to whit:
Main Entry: el·e·gance
Pronunciation: 'e-li-g&n(t)s
Function: noun
1 a : refined grace or dignified propriety : URBANITY b : tasteful richness of design or ornamentation <the sumptuous elegance of the furnishings> c : dignified gracefulness or restrained beauty of style
Now by that definition can you call the type XVII elegant? The keyword I think is grace...
TRITONWORKS Custom Scabbards
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