Greg, that's a great photo. The sword third from the right is interesting as its details look similar to the Dane.

Congratulations on acquiring a great Dane! I saw the photos, and now I guess it can be told... When Peter, Eric McHugh and I went to one of the major Swedish collections (kept in a castle) in October, 2003, I had the opportunity to handle a sword that judging by the hilt was the direct inspiration for the Dane. The bare wood with wire wrap is there, even if the blade is different, but what's really neat is that the sword had its original scabbard.





I've been saving the pics for years, and I'm sorry for the low resolution (my first digital camera was pretty primitive), but here they are. I'm afraid I don't have any measurements, but the grip looks longer than that of the Dane.

Yes that is a very beautiful sword. My wife and I were just admiring it on Albion's site two nights ago. Gus Trim also makes one similar, although not quite as well turned out in the furniture, I wonder if anyone has examined one of those?

Here's the stupid question that I just have to ask. What is (or was) the original purpose for the narrowed ricasso? Does it help structurally or is it a place to grab the blade for a sort of half sword technique, or is it like some of the two hand Landesnecht swords and primarily a way to carry the thing at shoulder arms without cutting your neck? Inquiring minds want to know.

Björn -

THANK YOU for posting those photos. That is a really, really great hilt. At the risk of over-stating myself, I feel lucky to get a glimpse of it.

Larry -

Good questions. :)

Thank you for the photos, I am also planning to have a sword like this, probably not from Albion.

Actually I am writing here because I really need some help.

Currently I am doing a research on any kind of two-handed swords, I work for a research group in Hungary, at a school of medieval western-european martial arts.
We alredy know many things about the spanish Montante or the traditional Biderhänder, but I've seen this unusual two-hander from north-europe, and I fell in love with it, though I never heard anything of it.

So, I would like to ask you, if ANYONE knows ANYTHING about this beautiful blade, please write here, or contact me.
I mean really anything. Some interesting data, origins, stories, legends about such swords or people who used them, the way they used them, where and when and how exactly, or some book recommendations, authors, websites or blogs, or photos of the original ones from museums, or any other suggestions where and what to look up, any of these would mean a huge help to my work.

Thanks to all, and congrats, Nathan, for your new sword! ;)

Not to steal to much attention from the topic, but does anyone have any further info on the this sword from the pic above?

---

 Attachment: 6.85 KB

It seems that Oxblood is pretty popular for the Dane! Mine is oxblood as well. :) I absolutely love this sword. It's a beast, yes, but remarkably agile and controllable for its size.

I'll share a few of my "threw it down to shoot it" photos.

[ Linked Image ] [ Linked Image ] [ Linked Image ] [ Linked Image ]

Quick question:
What is known of the Dane's grip? Did one like this actually survive on a type XVIIIe sword till this day, or is it a modern artistic license taken by Albion? If it is indeed historical, is it associated exclusively with type XVIIIe and it's time frame(1425-1475)?


Oh, and the sword is absolutely magnificent.


Edit:
Ah, yes, a picture on the previous page of this thread shows an excavated piece with remnants of a grip very much like the one in Albion's reproduction... the other question still stands though - was it a one-in-a-million thing, or something more common.

Happy Birthday Nathan. I might have have ordered this sword had I seen it in the catalog but alas I did not but ...you get the point...! I remember seeing something about some new products being added to the Albion line and I think that was one of them. I am happy as a June bug in a rug with my Baron but if you get tired of the Dane just let me know...

Harry