Quest for pictures of Bayerisches Nationalmuseum XVIIIb -- myArmoury.com

Peter Berbiers

Hi all,

I'm in the queue for a reproduction of the XVIIIb type sword in the collection of the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum in Munich.
The sword in question is here : http://www.myArmoury.com/view.html?features/pic_spotxviii18.jpg
The smith who accepted the job is Vladimir Cervenca from the Tjech republic.
Last year i contacted the museum for some more info about the sword and received a friendly mail in reply from the curator with the dimensions of the sword and an offer to get some pictures. Of course i replied positively to Dr. Seelig's e-mail..............and have never heard from them since.
I've send them 4 or 5 mails since from different e-mail addresses, assuming i was victim of a spam filter, to no avail.
I have three 'low quality' pictures of the sword and the dimensions, and i'm sure Mr. Cervenca can make and acceptable repro of the sword with this info.
However i would like to get more detailed pictures of the sword who might reveal more interesting details.
I found this in myArmoury :-)
XVIIIb From the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, Munich
This perfect and beautiful sword is dated to 1450-1480.
The 36" (91.44cm) blade is unstained, but the hilt is the most remarkable feature of the weapon.
The extremely long grip is covered with finely tooled leather.
The gilt-bronze furniture is just as finely finished,
with flattened and gently recurved cross and an engraving of the Madonna and infant Christ set into the front of the pommel.
The rim of the pommel bears the inscription O MARIA BIT WIR UNS.

Since the sword has been used in an article here and is in the pictures collection, i'm hoping somebody here could help me out with some more pictures.
Mr. Cervenca can begin to forge next month, so i'm starting to get in a hurry to get more info on the blade.

Thank You,

(1st post)

Chad Arnow · myArmoury Team

Welcome! I can't help much with info, but I did find a pic of this one.

From our photo albums: http://www.myArmoury.com/albums/photo/962.html

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?p=30756#30756

Sean Flynt · Posted: Mon 16 May, 2005 10:47 am Post subject:

The photo in Records of the Medieval Sword is the most detailed view of the hilt I know of.

Peter Berbiers · Posted: Mon 16 May, 2005 10:48 am Post subject:

Thank you for your replies,

From the topic Mr Robinson mentions i can conclude that i'm not the only one waiting for pic's from Munich.
Now i also have an idea what the scabbard looks like.
The picture Mr Arnow links to was the one i first found of the sword, and made me decide i wanted one of those :-)
I've just resend an email to Dr. Seelig's private address and if i get no reply, i'll give them a phonecall, and if really necessary i'll pick up my car and digicam and drive to Munich.

Peter Berbiers · Posted: Mon 16 May, 2005 10:49 am Post subject:

Russ Ellis · Industry Professional

Thanks for the link Nathan I managed to miss that discussion the first time around but I've learned a bit from it just now. Happy

Sean Flynt · Posted: Mon 16 May, 2005 11:13 am Post subject:

I'll try to get a decent scan tonight unless somebody beats me to it today. You should get the book, though. You need it! Big Grin

Peter Berbiers · Posted: Mon 16 May, 2005 11:32 am Post subject:

Thank you, Mr Flynt.

I've ordered the book in Januari at a local bookstore, they said time of arrival would be two months and i'm still waiting.
Should have bought it online :-(

My email : berbip@gmail.com

Lee O'Hagan · Posted: Mon 16 May, 2005 11:39 am Post subject:

Didnt someone also post detailed pommel pics on this wonderfull sword not too long ago,

Thomas McDonald · myArmoury Alumni

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y59/mactom/Typexv111hilt.jpg

Sean Flynt · Posted: Mon 16 May, 2005 12:29 pm Post subject:

The photo Mac just linked to is the one from ROTMS. Thanks, Mac! That gives me a little extra time to get some photos and stats of my new glaive for posting tomorrow!

Peter Berbiers · Posted: Mon 16 May, 2005 12:52 pm Post subject:

Again, thanks for all the replies :-)
Mr. Cervenca mailed me a couple of hours ago that he is ready to start forging, looks like i was just in time with my topic :-)
The detailed hilt pic is magnificent, thanks Mr McDonald.
I have one additional question now :

Is the leather covering the ricasso going in or over the scabbard ? I think it goes over the scabbard observing the photo from the hilt and the one with the scabbard.
This may pose a problem since Mr Cervenca does not make scabbards.

Alexi Goranov · myArmoury Alumni

The rain guard goes over the scabbard mouth. Look closely at the picture Nathan posted.

Alexi

Björn Hellqvist · myArmoury Alumni

FWIW, I know that Peter Johnsson has made a reproduction of that sword (I've handled it - not shabby at all), and that he has documented the original while visiting the BNM. It might become part of the Albion Armorers' line-up in the future.

Patrick Kelly · Posted: Mon 16 May, 2005 4:00 pm Post subject:

Peter Berbiers · Posted: Mon 16 May, 2005 4:40 pm Post subject:

This tread is getting very interesting.
I found some hints in other treads that mr Johnsson was working on a replica of this sword.
I'm very interested in the results.

One more question,
What color of leather is the handle covered with ?
From the color picture in the photo collection the leather looks blue.

Steve Grisetti · Posted: Mon 16 May, 2005 6:44 pm Post subject:

Russ Ellis · Industry Professional

Peter Berbiers · Posted: Tue 17 May, 2005 7:04 am Post subject: