[George Hill]

I'm curious, has anyone done a typology of crossguards? We often discuss pommels, but crosses seem to me just as important in their own way, yet they are often neglected.

Just looking at flat single bar crosses, there seem to be a large variety. What would we call this one? A barbell cross perhaps?
http://www.myArmoury.com/albums/photo/4317.html

This one might be called a bow tie, or might we only call it that if it tapers?
http://www.myArmoury.com/albums/photo/4317.html

This one might be called a blunt tipped spiral...
http://www.myArmoury.com/albums/photo/1050.html

this, a classic katzbalger could be said to have a katzbalger cross, or a full S cross, or a S shaped roundel. Even a S Tsuba if you are feeling international.
http://www.myArmoury.com/albums/photo/1084.html

This might be a short simple cross...
http://www.myArmoury.com/albums/photo/7732.html

Oh, I did a search, but found nothing. If this has been discussed before, a pointer would be more then welcome.

[Nathan Robinson]

This article is in our Essentials category of our Features section of the site.


Oakeshott: The Man and his Legacy
An article by myArmoury.com

[Merv Cannon]

Hi George.........Obviously there are far more hilt and pommel combinatiuons than you can shake a sword at. Oakshotts brief sumary is helpful, and I only wish to add this one note of interrest, and that is that I have noticed that one type of crossguard...the one that you mention first as a 'Barbell' seems to have become quite popular in Castille. Some are refering to these as the "Castillion" type swords.........that is that they typlify a sword from Castille, perhaps in the 15thC. ? If Nathan or anyone has any additional information as to the historical accuracy of this or some photos of originals, I for one would be grateful.

Cheers !

[Nathan Robinson]