well the excitement of getting a new piece is back again. For some months now I have been working with Craig in getting the A&A 15th Century two-hander. I have had my eye on this one since 1996, but have always managed to put it off for one reason or another. Finally, I told myself , "Self you just have to get it". So I e-mailed Craig . The journey began back in August. There is nothing really out there right now that excited me besides the Albion Baron...well nothing I could afford anyway. So when it comes in I'll try and get some pics up and stats. I would love to do some cutting with that baby but I am not sure what medmium to use...a horse? LOL It should get through anything in it's way. Well, all I need is one more payday (next week) and I am there. :lol:

Joel

Hi Joel,

I'm very excited about you getting this sword as it has always been on my list as well. It's one of my favorites of the A&A line-up, but I've never gotten one for whatever reason. I'm interested in hearing your detailed observations concerning this sword. I also think that it would make a great addition to our review section, so please consider writing up a formal review on it.

I'll third that notion! I too have been eyeing this one for years.

Joel, I know you're a fellow XXL sort, and I'd recommend 1/2" plywood rather than 1/4" for test cutting with that one. My A&A Claymore will bisect a 4'x4' sheet of 1/4" plywood, and bury the tip in the ground below, if I don't pull it up short. Be careful!

:D

I'll fourth the motion, I've been wanting to see one of those guys for years. You ordered back in August? Did you have anything special done to this sword? I'm just wondering how backed up Craig and the guys are. If they are backlogged I'm happy for them and for me too. That means that business is good and I need them to be in business for at least 100 years or so. That way I can buy all of their stuff. :)

Guess I'll be number five. I saw this sword upon my last visit to A&A and was really lovin' it. I'll be glad to see a new one go out there and read your impressions of it!

Ever since I saw this sword in A&A's catalog I have loved it's beautiful proportions. I am partial to 2-handers in part because I am a XXXL guy ;) I would love it if someone had a pic/s of the original in the Wallace collection. While I plan to do some test cutting, I am not sure about 1/2" plywood. Joe have you tried 1/2" stuff? While I have done some test cutting with some of Gus' XIIa ( I think I still hold the 1/4" plywood record hehe), I know that the dynamics of cutting with a big blade like this one are different. My A&A Braveheart is similar in size to the English 2-hander but it's not sharp so I have not cut with it so I am excited about cutting with this big baby. I woudl also like to see someone like Randal Graham make this guy out of L-6 Bainite (hin, hint Randal :D ) but I don't know if he's taking comissions at the moment. I probably could not afford it anyway so it's just as well LOL. Anyways, here is the pic that has been in my mind. Anyone know of any similar historical examples?

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My 2-Hander: 44" Hollow-gound blade,61.5" overall [ Download ]

Yes, I'd love to see it too, this one is growing on me in a big way.

Bob

Here you go Joel.

original, # A474 The Wallace Collection

A scan from the book: A Collectors guide to Swords, Daggers, & Cutlasses

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Arms & Armor #156 15th Century Two Hander

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From Claudio's
http://www.catsdiablopage.com/

A scan from the book: Weapons : An International Encyclopedia From 5000 B.C. to 2000 A.D., Updated Edition
by the Diagram Group

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Awesome pics, Stephen.

God, I've always loved that sword. Was very tempted to buy it, but ended up buying a German Bastard sword on SFI's classifieds that was too good to pass up. But I still don't have a two hander of this size, and this one is certainly one of (possibly THE) best one on the market.

I will chime in with my usual request for pictures when you get it! :cool:

Joel (and everybody), you may be interested in the stats on the original. From the Wallace Catalogue of European Arms(which I have): A474: L. blade 46 1/8" (117.0 cm), W. 2 3/8 (6.0), L. quillons 11 (28.0), L. quillons to pommel 13 1/8 (33.3), L. pommel 4 1/2 (11.2), Wt. 6:6 (2.892).

The A&A version happens to be on my "someday" list also. There are others ahead of it, though, so it may be a few years yet.

The original specs and photos are awesome. Besides taking some pics, I may try to video the cutting tests. I have never tried 1/2" plywood but once I mistakenly put up some 1/4" Louan. Man that stuff is Tough!!!. I may also try a few watermelons/canteloups. I think it would be cool to try some ballistic gel if I can get my hands on some, though I don't know how this would perform. Plus the fact that I would not want to mess up my beautiful new sword. Thanks too for teh stats. That is very interesting. Hopefully next month we'll see some pics.

Joel