I found this color picture of the Snartemo sword in a book I recently found at Halfprice Books. I thought I would share it with you all.

With so many Excaliburs that look like knightly swords (most movie versions) or Antenna swords in steel (The movie Merlin) or wallhanger fantasy types (recent King Arthur movie)... Why could they not use the Snartemo sword... Especially when they are trying to push it back into the fifth century. The Snartemo sword is from the early sixth or late fifth century (I believe). It certainly looks like the sword of a king. And it even has elements that would not disappoint (too much) those who were looking for a more knightly sword.

ks

Wow, I'd never seen a picture of that one. What detail! Unfortunately such detail would not show up well on camera except in a macro-shot. But yes, I wish for once a movie would use a realistic sword instead of a cheesy fantasy piece.
Hmm. What was that movie many years ago, where the hero (Lee Horsely?) had this three-bladed sword, where the two side-blades shot out like projectiles?

Brian M

Wow, that is one awsome sword! :eek: :D I always thought it was amaizing how they used to put such detail into weaponry. Thanks for the picture Kirk.

Brian, I think the movie was called The Sorcerer and the Swordsman or something.

Ah yes, the Snartemo... the sword upon which the Marto #520 is based.... I wish someone made a functional version of it (Patrick Barta could, I'm sure)....
But there are so many wonderful late Roman/Early Migration-era designs that would have been just fine as Arthur's sword. I was thinking that something like Albion's Kraghul Bog sword or Patrick Barta's Roman Riding Sword would have been great. I mean, if they're doing "the Historical Arthur", then... ummmm.... they should make it historical?

By the by... anybody want a Marto #520? :lol:

ps. That weird sword movie with Lee Horsely was The Sword and the Sorcerer, a very silly movie featuring the worst sword in all fantasy.....

Heh actually when I first opened this thread last night I thought of Patrick Barta straight away, I mean immagine finally seeing a film with pattern welded swords, all accurate to the time period being displayed. Hollywood gets Japanese flicks right cause the katana is a no brainer to pretty much all of japanese feudal history, but they still feel the need to add "ninjato" in etc.

I was sorely disappointed by this film, I think they need to start hiring people in the know...I mean if you know the sword usually you'll study the people and period as well (as I do with japanese history) so I cant grasp why its such a hard task for them to "get it right".

*slaps hollywood*

What about Albion's copy of this sword?I know it's not pattern wielded,but it's still a beauty!

I am so with you regarding Hollywood fanatsy dreck. I can only think of a couple of
movies starring swords where they were reasonably accurate. While it is set in
Napoleonic times, the sabres in The Duelists looked on the mark, whether these
were correct French issue I don't know. Then there was a movie with David Hemmings
and Michael York, Alfred the Great I think where the Norse swords to my young eye
seemed wonderfully accurate. Maybe the directors of these new movies are unaware
of the resource available right here. I like to think there not just stupid. Speaking of
swords on screens, in one episode of Star Trek the crew was running around the ship
with swords. I remember I thought the one Chekov had was cool. Does anyone remember
it, if it even was a genuine style?
Doug

I am so with you regarding Hollywood fanatsy dreck. I can only think of a couple of
movies starring swords where they were reasonably accurate. While it is set in
Napoleonic times, the sabres in The Duelists looked on the mark, whether these
were correct French issue I don't know. Then there was a movie with David Hemmings
and Michael York, Alfred the Great I think where the Norse swords to my young eye
seemed wonderfully accurate. Maybe the directors of these new movies are unaware
of the resource available right here. I like to think there not just stupid. Speaking of
swords on screens, in one episode of Star Trek the crew was running around the ship
with swords. I remember I thought the one Chekov had was cool. Does anyone remember
it, if it even was a genuine style?
Doug

It's not an issue of Hollywood not having access to accurate material or knowledge.

Hollywood simply doesn't care about such things in general. If you have a director, or production company, who happens to be into that particular subject you may get some accuracy out of them. Otherwise it's not a matter of them not being informed. It's a matter of them simply not caring about the subject.

People have gotten so used to me, that they don't even ask if I'd like to go to the movies anymore.

I really like that handle though. Are there other good pictures in that book? (Might have to go get it...)

Jamie

Wasn't Jody Samson's "Senatorial Spatha" a prototype submitted for Arthur as well?

Albion making replicas of Museum Replica movie props :surprised:
Here is a case of the replica being better than the original!

ks

Hello Kirk,
First I want to say I stand in awe of the job you did on that Albion
Bronze Ager. Wouldn't it have been cool to see that in Brad Pitt's hand
in Troy? Of course then they might also have done an accurate
portrayal of warfare in the end stages of Mycenaen Greece. Nah!
Better to have zillions of men engaged in a WWF over-the top, and
Achilles wielding his bat wing Ninja sword (with the eyeball in the
Tsuba) I had a neighbor once who had secreted a bronze javeline
point he found in the ruins of Tyrins in the 30's out of Greece. Wish I'd
sucked up to him.
Best,
Doug

"I am a Grey man" -Mercutio