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Stephen Wheatley




Location: DORSET ENGLAND
Joined: 15 Nov 2008

Posts: 93

PostPosted: Thu 17 Oct, 2013 1:58 pm    Post subject: British Military Swords - Vol 1 1600-1660 - Stuart C Mobray         Reply with quote

Have just taken delivery of this tome, quite pricey, but worth every penny for anyone interested in 17th century swords in England. Stuart's writing is witty,informative and ranges from manufacture to fashion, quite the best book I've seen on the subject not excepting Mazansky's! A must have. I wonder if he has any plans to cover continental swords of the Thirty Years War, would like to see that, as Swedish/Dutch swords are a neglected area.
Stephen Wheatley
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Jonathan Hopkins




PostPosted: Thu 17 Oct, 2013 4:49 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Stephen,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the book. I have been considering buying it and now I will add it to my wish list! Does Mowbray examine blade types or focus only on hilts like Mazansky?

Jonathan
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Stephen Wheatley




Location: DORSET ENGLAND
Joined: 15 Nov 2008

Posts: 93

PostPosted: Thu 17 Oct, 2013 11:26 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

The whole sword is covered, blades, hilts, manufacture, use - the lot!
Stephen Wheatley
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Neil Melville




Location: Scotland
Joined: 27 Oct 2009

Posts: 219

PostPosted: Fri 18 Oct, 2013 4:27 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I can second Stephen's recommendation. Large photos, shots from different angles, close-up details plus history of manufacture and use and (for buyers over the pond) probably cheaper/ less expensive since it is published in USA! Definitely a must buy.
Neil

N Melville
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Stephen Wheatley




Location: DORSET ENGLAND
Joined: 15 Nov 2008

Posts: 93

PostPosted: Fri 18 Oct, 2013 9:49 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I bought it on US Amazon and saved myself a few quid!
Stephen Wheatley
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Sean Flynt




Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Joined: 21 Aug 2003
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PostPosted: Fri 18 Oct, 2013 10:25 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Thanks for the tip! I just got the last one Amazon had in stock!
-Sean

Author of the Little Hammer novel

https://www.amazon.com/Little-Hammer-Sean-Flynt/dp/B08XN7HZ82/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=little+hammer+book&qid=1627482034&sr=8-1
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Danny Grigg





Joined: 17 Sep 2004

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PostPosted: Fri 18 Oct, 2013 8:32 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Does this book contain dimensions (total length / blade length) and weights of the swords?

Does it only contain swords or other weapons as well (daggers / axes / spears etc)?

Thanks

Danny
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Stephen Wheatley




Location: DORSET ENGLAND
Joined: 15 Nov 2008

Posts: 93

PostPosted: Sat 19 Oct, 2013 1:07 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

The dimensions are all there, but the book is not a catalogue like some others, the sword id covered ''in the round'' - social and economic aspects examined as well as the detailed listing of the sword as an object - a superb work. I've been trying to obtain details of the ''beast-head'' pommels for ages, and here it all is along with many photographs hitherto unseen, including one from my local museum of an obscure hanger (which I've handled) and thought no-one else knew about!
Stephen Wheatley
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Stephen Wheatley




Location: DORSET ENGLAND
Joined: 15 Nov 2008

Posts: 93

PostPosted: Sat 19 Oct, 2013 1:09 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Other weapons are touched on but Stuart's book primarily covers swords and hangers.
Stephen Wheatley
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Sean Flynt




Location: Birmingham, Alabama
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PostPosted: Fri 25 Oct, 2013 7:54 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

This is an outstanding book. Truly essential for students of these arms. It is much like Flayderman's bowie book in its informal tone. That's not everybody's cup of tea, but it's hard to argue against either book. My only significant complaint about this one is that it seems thin on statistics. The spread below is typical. What's here is wonderful but I would love to have a date estimate and the basic stats we include in reviews on this site (minus COP, for obvious reasons). There are wonderful details of construction throughout. The spread below answered a significant technical question for me.


 Attachment: 131.82 KB
britsword.gif


-Sean

Author of the Little Hammer novel

https://www.amazon.com/Little-Hammer-Sean-Flynt/dp/B08XN7HZ82/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=little+hammer+book&qid=1627482034&sr=8-1
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Danny Grigg





Joined: 17 Sep 2004

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PostPosted: Fri 25 Oct, 2013 7:02 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Sean

So what stats does the book include? Overall length, blade length, weight?? I can't make out much from the picture you posted.

What museums are the swords from in the book? Royal Armouries Leeds UK?

Thanks

Danny
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Sean Flynt




Location: Birmingham, Alabama
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PostPosted: Sat 26 Oct, 2013 9:02 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

buy the book assuming that there's no data at all. that way, you'll be pleasantly surprised when you find the odd date or overall length.

i think there are perhaps 16 museums represented, and you could use the accession numbers to request stats from those institutions. it might also be possible to cross-reference with Mazansky's book.

the book is a fantastic resource as-is. the photos alone are worth the price (at least).

-Sean

Author of the Little Hammer novel

https://www.amazon.com/Little-Hammer-Sean-Flynt/dp/B08XN7HZ82/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=little+hammer+book&qid=1627482034&sr=8-1
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