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T. Arndt
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 Posted: Mon 08 Aug, 2011 7:52 pm Post subject: A&A 15th Century Two-handed Sword |
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Hey everyone,
I am curious if anyone has had the opportunity to handle the Arms & Armor 15th Century Two-handed Sword, or knows of any reviews of this sword (I wasn't able to find much). The original is in the Wallace Collection. When I finally allow myself another sharp, this might be it 
| A&A Site wrote: | Original: Circa 1450, German or English, Wallace Collection, London (A474)
Overall length: 59.25; Blade: 46.125" x 2.375"; Weight: 6.06 pounds |
Wisconsin Historical Fencing Association (WHFA) - La Crosse
A HEMA Alliance Affiliate
“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?” -Juvenal
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Bill Grandy
myArmoury Team
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| Posted: Mon 08 Aug, 2011 8:28 pm Post subject: |
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I've handled and cut with one once, and it's pretty sweet. It is one mean cutter, going through multiple tatami mats with ease. But make no mistake: This is not a "lively" weapon. It's quite a beast, as the stats show, and is geared more towards carving a path through hordes of pikemen than it is for complex blade-to-blade actions. But if you like big swords, this one is pretty damn nice.
HistoricalHandcrafts.com
-Inspired by History, Crafted by Hand
"For practice is better than artfulness. Your exercise can do well without artfulness, but artfulness is not much good without the exercise.” -anonymous 15th century fencing master, MS 3227a
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T. Arndt
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| Posted: Mon 08 Aug, 2011 8:50 pm Post subject: |
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| Bill Grandy wrote: | | I've handled and cut with one once, and it's pretty sweet. It is one mean cutter, going through multiple tatami mats with ease. But make no mistake: This is not a "lively" weapon. It's quite a beast, as the stats show, and is geared more towards carving a path through hordes of pikemen than it is for complex blade-to-blade actions. But if you like big swords, this one is pretty damn nice. |
Hahaha  . Thank you for the first hand account Bill- I had been suspecting it would probably handle as your described. It sounds almost like a polearm that happens to be a sword. If I allow myself that piece of the collection that is solely "fun", I think this will be it. Thanks again.
Wisconsin Historical Fencing Association (WHFA) - La Crosse
A HEMA Alliance Affiliate
“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?” -Juvenal
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Alexander Lambrinos
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| Posted: Mon 08 Aug, 2011 9:28 pm Post subject: |
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I just ordered this sword, I can not wait to receive it.
Last edited by Alexander Lambrinos on Mon 08 Aug, 2011 10:03 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Jean Thibodeau
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| Posted: Mon 08 Aug, 2011 9:42 pm Post subject: |
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| T. Arndt wrote: | | Bill Grandy wrote: | | I've handled and cut with one once, and it's pretty sweet. It is one mean cutter, going through multiple tatami mats with ease. But make no mistake: This is not a "lively" weapon. It's quite a beast, as the stats show, and is geared more towards carving a path through hordes of pikemen than it is for complex blade-to-blade actions. But if you like big swords, this one is pretty damn nice. |
Hahaha . Thank you for the first hand account Bill- I had been suspecting it would probably handle as your described. It sounds almost like a polearm that happens to be a sword. If I allow myself that piece of the collection that is solely "fun", I think this will be it. Thanks again. |
Well I have one and used it to cut easy targets like pumpkins, so I can't say that this was a challenging test of it's capabilities.
It is quite large, especially impressive indoors, but when I took it outdoors when our longsword group was having a fun day at a farm in the country to " play " with various weapons, it didn't seem as big outdoors.
The size does mean that one profits using one's whole body and not just the arms to move it around and at times one almost moves around the sword.  About twice the weight of normal longsword but I think I could move it fairly fast and still use most longsword techniques. Someone fighting against this sword with a shorter and lighter longsword might find that parrying a full power blow is like parrying a polearm and the reach could be used to advantage.
Upper body strength, or lack of strength, would have serious impact on how much one would have to be selective about what techniques some could use to a degree I think. 
The very long handle does give good leverage to help in handling the weight and yes it is almost like a polearm in handling, big but not as huge as later period twohanders: To me it's more like a really really big sword of war on steroids.
Oh, and I really like it: A must have essential in my collection for aesthetic reasons and also for the experience of handling such a large sword 
You can easily give up your freedom. You have to fight hard to get it back!
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T. Arndt
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| Posted: Mon 08 Aug, 2011 10:38 pm Post subject: |
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@Jean
Thanks for sharing your experience. This sword sounds like a lot of fun.
I imagine someone strong and skilled with this sword would have been very intimidating on the field. Not only are there the parries and reach, as you mentioned, but something as simple as the two hand wielder going into Langort would be challenging. This would seem to allow them to control the terms of engagement (at least one on one) as I doubt a longsword could easily beat aside that blade and its length would but the wielder well out of harms way of the longsword. Now should the opponent of this beast have a poleaxe- things just became very interesting
Wisconsin Historical Fencing Association (WHFA) - La Crosse
A HEMA Alliance Affiliate
“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?” -Juvenal
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Matthew P. Adams
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| Posted: Thu 22 Nov, 2012 9:38 am Post subject: |
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Would one of you owners of A&A Two Hander be kind enough to post the COG on this piece? The Arms and Armor website doesn't seem to have this information. And how does it feel going through Figueiredo's Rules for the Montante?
Thank you!
Matthew
"We do not rise to the level of our expectations. We fall to the level of our training" Archilochus, Greek Soldier, Poet, c. 650 BC
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William Swiger
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| Posted: Wed 19 Jun, 2013 4:09 am Post subject: |
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I picked one of these up on the second-hand market a couple days ago. Looking forward to receiving it to see how she handles.
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Matthew P. Adams
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| Posted: Mon 05 May, 2014 2:57 pm Post subject: |
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Time for the yearly post! 
How do you like your new sword William?
"We do not rise to the level of our expectations. We fall to the level of our training" Archilochus, Greek Soldier, Poet, c. 650 BC
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JE Sarge
Industry Professional
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| Posted: Mon 05 May, 2014 11:16 pm Post subject: |
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Worked on a few of these in the shoppe. They are monsters. One of the most devistating blades you will ever handle - not unweildable, but definately a beast. I'd like to have one myself. Would be good for cutting a Buick in half.
J.E. Sarge
Crusader Monk Sword Scabbards and Customizations
www.crusadermonk.com
"But lack of documentation, especially for such early times, is not to be considered as evidence of non-existance." - Ewart Oakeshott
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William Swiger
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| Posted: Tue 06 May, 2014 11:48 am Post subject: |
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| Matthew P. Adams wrote: | Time for the yearly post!
How do you like your new sword William? |
Very nice sword. It is a beast in hand though. Not a sword for finesse. I am enjoying it.
Non Timebo Mala
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Matthew P. Adams
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| Posted: Wed 07 May, 2014 9:14 am Post subject: |
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Have either of you done Montante drills with it? Whats the POB?
Thanks!
"We do not rise to the level of our expectations. We fall to the level of our training" Archilochus, Greek Soldier, Poet, c. 650 BC
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William Swiger
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| Posted: Wed 07 May, 2014 12:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Matthew P. Adams wrote: | Have either of you done Montante drills with it? Whats the POB?
Thanks! |
I have not done drills with mine. The POB on my sword is 6 inches.
Non Timebo Mala
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Mark Millman
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| Posted: Wed 07 May, 2014 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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Folks,
I sold one of these in February, and of course I took measurements for the sale posting. Here's what I wrote:
| Quote: | This is a very large sword. From A&A's description:
Overall length: 59.25"
Blade length: 46.125"
Blade width: 2.375"
Weight: 6.06 pounds
My own measurements give:
overall length: 60.25"
blade length: 45.75" (the discrepancy may be due to the portion of the shoulders seated in the guard)
blade width: 2.375"
guard width: 9.50”
weight: 5.25 pounds on my kitchen scale, and 6.0 pounds on my bathroom scale
point of balance: 5.25” from the center of the cross-guard
pivot point: ~30.5” from the center of the cross-guard |
I hope that this proves helpful.
Best,
Mark Millman
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This is a standard topic