Peter Johnsson custom sword design -- myArmoury.com

Taylor Ellis

Purchasing a sword from a custom smith is one of the most exciting parts of being a collector. Each smith has their own preferred methods of taking a customer's ideas and coming up with something functional. Some years ago I gave Kevin Cashen a drawing I did and told him I pretty much wanted that exact sword. Problem was, I didn't know a lot about sword dynamics and the drawing reflected that. It is a testament to Kevin's skill that he made such a functional weapon without making any major diversions from the original design.

About 4 years ago I emailed Peter Johnsson about the possibility of ordering a sword from him. He explained to me at the time that he wasn't taking orders as he had a big project coming up that the whole sword community would benefit from. I kept in contact with Peter bugging him about various aspects of sword design. 4 years later I consider Peter one of by best "internet" mates (you know, the type of friend you haven't met yet, I'm sure we all have them on here!). His continuous patience with my questions and the sheer depth of knowledge and his willingness to share it publically make him a massive asset to the sword world.

So, imagine my suprise a few months ago when Peter tells me he has done up a basic blade blank exhibiting qualities that I most prefer in a sword and offered me first buying rights to it! We've refined the basics into a concrete visualisation, no men feat considering what I gave Peter to work with. Basically, I told him I wanted a sword that could do everything; it had to be able to cut, to thrust, to be used one or two handed, with a shield or alone, and to top it off, have a distinct and flamboyant 13th century style to it. The picture below is what Peter came up with.

The sword is right smack in between a XIIa and a XVIa, with a l blade that is lenticular in cross section with a sharp midrib forming towards the point. The length of the blade is 88cm, and the overall length is 109cm. The pommel and cross are polished bronze, and the handle is dark green tooled leather (though shagreen may be an interesting option) with black leather thongs criss crossing over and held together by tacks. The pommel has a cross engraved into it, and the fuller will have a latin phrase running down it, I'm just not yet sure what. Any suggestions?

Nice, huh?

Craig Peters · Posted: Sat 28 Jan, 2006 10:54 pm Post subject:

That looks like it will be a nice sword Taylor. I'd like to see it once it's realized in steel and bronze. As for the Latin, why not consider the motto on your family coat of armes?

Jonathon Janusz · Posted: Sun 29 Jan, 2006 1:04 am Post subject:

Congratulations and count yourself among those very blessed. It looks like a very interesting design.

I hope some day to have the same good news Happy

Brian M · Posted: Sun 29 Jan, 2006 1:27 am Post subject:

I think it's somewhat reminiscent of Albion's Prince. Looks like a Type-XVI blade. The pommels are both faceted types, with the Price being more obviously octagonal. I think the pierced cross would look great.
My own personal preference is for plainer swords, but if Mr. Johnsson offered me first crack at that sword (and if I could afford it!) I'd probably buy it.

Brian M

Michal Plezia · Industry Professional

What a pity that it is XIIIc design....what about us-'late ones' Wink

Taylor Ellis · Posted: Sun 29 Jan, 2006 4:26 am Post subject:

Steve Grisetti · Posted: Sun 29 Jan, 2006 4:32 am Post subject:

The concept sketch looks very nice, Taylor. Did Peter give you any indication as to when this project might be completed?

Taylor Ellis · Posted: Sun 29 Jan, 2006 4:38 am Post subject:

Blaz Berlec · Posted: Sun 29 Jan, 2006 4:48 am Post subject: Sword inscription

Since the sword is so well designed to be placed into a certain time frame, the only right option would be to copy an existing sword inscription from 13.th century, maybe slightly modified to suit your needs or taste.

Unfortunately, I don't know where you could find sword inscriptions reproduced with enough detail for copying. Oakeshott has some of them, and I have an interesting book by Marian Glosek: Signs and inscriptions on medieval swords in Poland (1973). Unfortunately it's in Polish, but it has about 100 pages of sword signs and inscriptions from Polish finds, sometimes compared to the more known Western European swords. Also the book about medieval swords from Slovenia by Tomaz Nabergoj has all the inscriptions of some 30 swords redrawn.

So just choosing a latin phrase and having it engraved down the fuller might not be totally appropriate for this type of sword. This was common during 12.th and 13.th century, but most of the time only on swords with wider fullers that don't taper that much (from X - XIII). Almost all "pointier" swords with such narrow tapering fuller usually have short inscriptions (one or two words) combined with various symbols like crosses, arrows, sun symbols or other meaningful stuff. Most of the time they only have such symbols, and they're usually not maker's marks.

And just an idea - symbols and inscriptions were usually inlaid in 13.th century, not just engraved, and I think that would look even more stunning. It's not as cheap as engraving, but a sword like this deserves such a treatment.

Peter Johnsson · Industry Professional

Hey Guys,
Thanks for positive input!

This has been one of those projects long in development. Can be a good thing (and this is usually the case with me working in the smithy: it does take much longer than I would really like, but that is how things are). Depending on patience of those involved the end result can be worth it...

As the sword is combining a wide a spectrum of parameters, it is not really primarily a historical type. Rather it is combining features from swords from a wider period in history. The functional aspects are perhaps mostly belonging to the 14th C and some of the aesthetic features are more akin to13th C.
It is first of all a realisation of a dream sword, corresponding to those aspects that Taylor treasures in a sword.
A flamboyant and handy sword of some size to make it usefull in both one hand and two hands with strong cutting *and* thrusting aspects.
Add to this specific decorative features and you get a sword that is really a custom job in the true meaning of the word: it does first of all strive to meet the wants and needs of one specific customer according to my capabilities as a maker.

...So don´t go and give Taylor and new bright ideas of things to include in this design now, OK Wink

Best
Peter

Michael F. · Posted: Sun 29 Jan, 2006 7:12 am Post subject:

Wow. That's a very attractive weapon. The pommel seems to be one of the most appealing things; it looks very complex, yet not uncomfortable to the hand. Congratulations on a beautiful new weapon!

Joel Whitmore · Posted: Sun 29 Jan, 2006 3:44 pm Post subject: Hey Taylor man nice to see ya.

Yeah that is a beautiful sword without a doubt. And you can count on Peter delivering something extraordinary! Taylor and I got out Cashen pieces nearly at the same time( about a month or so apart as I recall). Taylor do you still have that Type XII or did you part with it? Anduril is still with and probably will be until the end. Good to see you on here again and best wishes. If I ever get out to Oz I'll ring ya.

Joel

Jeremiah Swanger

Darwin Todd · Posted: Sun 29 Jan, 2006 7:08 pm Post subject:

That is a beautiful design Taylor! You know if you shorten it down to a single hand grip and a 32" blade, you have my dream sword. I love the blade profile and the design of a lenticular cross section fading into a mid-rib at the point.
And actually Jeremiah, in the book "Sword in Hand", Oakeshott said he regreted not having put a type XIVa into his typology. To me that would seem to indicate there were historical examples out there.

Tim Lison · Posted: Mon 30 Jan, 2006 12:17 am Post subject:

That is a really cool sword! How about the inscription "I'm very fortunate to own this sword!" Wink

Bruno Giordan · Posted: Wed 01 Feb, 2006 7:00 am Post subject:

NEC SPE NEC METV (I do things neithr with ope nor with fear, i.e. I act bravely and with preparation).

Or a plain DEVS VULT would do a lot in this troubled times

Thomas Jason · Posted: Wed 01 Feb, 2006 7:56 am Post subject:

This is beautiful!

Peter, please do more of your own designs. This and the sword you did for the MAsters of Fire Exhibition are truly beautiful beyond words.

Eric Spitler · Posted: Wed 01 Feb, 2006 9:18 am Post subject:

That is, without doubt, the sweetest blade design I've ever laid eyes upon. If Albion were to offer something with a blade like that, I think it would fast become the top seller. Of course, then it wouldn't be very custom, would it? Happy

I very much look forward to a review of this piece when it's completed. And lots of pictures!

Brian M · Posted: Wed 01 Feb, 2006 1:00 pm Post subject:

DEUS VULT is a good one -- short and period-appropriate. I've read that DEUS LO VULT is actually the correct grammar, but I don't know if the contemporaries saw it as more correct or not.
That makes me think, it would really be a great idea if Albion could offer simple engraving as an option on their swords. The work on the SOSM is very effective, and it seems that it shouldn't be grossly expensive to do. The font would have to be limited to one style for simplicity's sake, with a limited number of letters/symbols per inscription. Maybe Albion could offer a small set of standard historical inscriptions -- Deus Vult, Xristus Reinat, etc.

Brian M

Craig Peters · Posted: Wed 01 Feb, 2006 1:39 pm Post subject: