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Chris Post




Location: Germany
Joined: 02 Feb 2005
Reading list: 3 books

Posts: 46

PostPosted: Fri 18 Feb, 2005 3:57 pm    Post subject: Poll: Favourite _original_ sword         Reply with quote

I understand that there are several people here who have handled original antique swords, I thought I'd ask around which of these you deemed the finest, also in terms of appearance, but especially in handling.

Let's focus on early and high middle ages here, so as not to stray too far and enable a reasonable comparison. Basically years 500 to 1400 AD should be fine (a few Late MA examples won't hurt), give or take a few.

EDIT: Personally, I haven't handled near enough original swords to say. I'm hoping to remedy this in the next couple of months / year.

Skeppsmannens härsmakt räddes ej väta:
blodulvar vadade väst över Panta:
fram över flodens glimmande vatten
buro de lindesköldar i land.
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Jeremy V. Krause




Location: Buffalo, NY.
Joined: 20 Oct 2003
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PostPosted: Fri 18 Feb, 2005 6:12 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I have never had the great pleasure of handling an origonal from the early middle ages 1000-1300 which I term the high middle ages, but man, that would be a joy!
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Thomas Jason




Location: New Joisey
Joined: 28 Jul 2004

Posts: 230

PostPosted: Fri 18 Feb, 2005 7:10 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Shodai Sengo Muramasa Wakizashi forged between 1416 and 1460.

This blade was originally a tachi, but was shortened during the Edo era.

Extremely fast and sharper than any other sword I've ever held. Very responsive in the hand and balanced to be equally good for cutting and thrusting.

Was polished about 20 years ago and has koshirae (in perfect condition) from the Shinshinto era.
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D. Rosen





Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Reading list: 3 books

Posts: 108

PostPosted: Fri 18 Feb, 2005 10:18 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Definitely an English Civil War cavalry sword/saber/backsword. Awesome handling, brilliant placement of guard and grip parts, etc. Simply awesome.
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Risto Rautiainen




Location: Kontiolahti, Finland
Joined: 23 Feb 2004
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PostPosted: Fri 18 Feb, 2005 11:53 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

16th to 17th century rapier. It is the only original I've ever handled and even though it was heavily patinated and the grip was getting a bit loose, you could feel the purpose it was made for. The weirdest part was that it was somewhere it really shouldn't have been on loan (!) from the local military academy.
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Patrick Kelly




Location: Wichita, Kansas
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PostPosted: Sat 19 Feb, 2005 1:52 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

An 8th-9th century viking sword once housed in the Nelson Art Gallery in Kansas City. It was the first antique I ever handled. I still owe a huge debt of gratitude to the curator who took pity upon a sixteen year old kid, and actually let me handle the sword instead of merely staring at it from the other side of the glass. I don't remember your name sir, but thank you.
"In valor there is hope.".................. Tacitus
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Chris Post




Location: Germany
Joined: 02 Feb 2005
Reading list: 3 books

Posts: 46

PostPosted: Sat 19 Feb, 2005 2:42 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Jeremy V. Krause wrote:
I have never had the great pleasure of handling an origonal from the early middle ages 1000-1300 which I term the high middle ages, but man, that would be a joy!


Not just you; "High Middle Ages" is the correct term (at least in German) for the time span _roughly_ 1000 to 1300. Some also say it's 900 to 1250 -- it also depends on the region when this transition should be made.
I too have seen some people call this period the Early Middle Ages; and they seem to classify the actual EMA as Dark Ages.

Skeppsmannens härsmakt räddes ej väta:
blodulvar vadade väst över Panta:
fram över flodens glimmande vatten
buro de lindesköldar i land.
View user's profile Send private message


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