A great many reviews have been made, and I tell ya, I love all of'em. You have many swords and other armaments, and many manufacturers, and they are all very insightful, informative and enjoyable. But I detect a lack in a certain Oakeshott Typology... Type XIX

I'd love for myArmoury.com to get a review of the Gallowglass. I have a passion for my heritage (Irish, among other things), and I fell in love with that sword ever since I set my eyes on it. I would love to get some insight on it from you guys, to satisfy me until I get my own hands on it.

Thank you, and good day.

I thank you greatly, sir, for those thread links, and also for your kind words and welcome. You wouldn't believe how exciting it is to see others appreciating the fine beauty of the XIX, and specifically the Gallowglass. I am quite glad now that I registered for this apparently fantastic community, even if I did only join for the high-res pictures. :embarassed:

Quite understandable how the articles can get held up. I know a fair share of people who are journalism students, so I have a bit of an idea how articles, in most forms of media, can have their processes slowed.

Thank you, once more, on your informative and inviting response. I shall, indeed, stay tuned.

Just thought I'd bump this thread and see if there's any news.

When I first found myArmoury a little over a year ago I came with some long-held preconceptions about what constituted a beautiful sword: long with parallel edges leading from a thicker and blunt ricasso to a neatly rounded yet sharp point.

I didn't know anything about Oakeshott's typology, and as I began to work my way through the Spotlight articles, I kept looking for a sword that fit my preconception.

Type XIIIa, almost, but not quite parallel.
Type XVa, BLECH!!!!
Ah, but finally! the type XIX.

When I saw the Gallowglass, I thought, yes, that's what I'm looking for.

But how quickly I was disappointed I was when I began to realize the type XIX's rather lowly place in our common current estimation. As I continued to study, my disappointed perceptions gradually began to fall more in line with historical reality. I now find type XVa's like Albion's Talhoffer *quite* attractive.

But there's still a place in my heart for that long sword with parallel edges and a distinct ricasso.
And apparently they're not quite as bad as swinging an iron bar.

So I'd love to hear some more practical words from experienced people about how Type XIX's handle for longsword practice and how they would have functioned historically in various roles from the battlefield to the duel.

David,
The review is in our publication queue with many other fine pieces. It's tough (okay, sometimes impossible) to know exactly when things will get published as there is a lot more that goes into publishing completed groups than most people would guess.

So the answer is still: stay tuned... :)