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J.D. Crawford
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 Posted: Sat 18 Aug, 2012 7:00 pm Post subject: A&A 13th Century D-pommel Cavalry Sword |
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A while back I was looking at this thread devoted to Oakeshott type C/D pommel swords:
http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=20025
I've wanted a D pommel for my collection for quite some time (indeed I've owned a couple but they did not satisfy). There are a few very nice production pieces out there, but none of them seem to exactly match what one sees in the originals, for one reason or another.
Looking at the above thread one notices a group with very similar characteristics (see examples below): a very similar long thin blade (37-38") of Oakeshott type Xa/XI (Geibig 13), a straight cross (usually type 1, but at least one type 2), a single-hand grip, and a nearly identical type D pommel. These swords seem quite clearly to be built for use from the back of a horse - long reach, but likely awkward in close quarters. Moreover, they share so many common characteristics that one is tempted to say, to paraphrase Oakeshott, 'they were made in the same workshop, if not by the same hands'.
This notion gave rise to a concept for a custom piece.
I took this notion to Craig Johnson at A&A and asked him to make me one of these swords, as if it were the next one to roll out of this 13th century 'assembly line' , choosing some of the features from the known examples that I prefer. In particular, I chose the slighlty unusual rounded type 1 spikehilt cross from one of the examples shown below, wanted the pommel to have the slightly scaloped bottom missing from most modern replicas, and of course the full length blade.
This project has now come together and over the next days we'll see the results.
By the way, there is talk of turning this into an A&A production piece, so I'm sure Craig will be interested to see what people have to say about it.
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Tim Lison
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| Posted: Sat 18 Aug, 2012 8:16 pm Post subject: |
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Moriarty! I love it. I sincerely hope A&A put a piece like that into their production line as I would buy instantly! I love the type d pommel with a style 1 cross. Can't wait to see the final...when did you say we'd see it?
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J.D. Crawford
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| Posted: Sun 19 Aug, 2012 4:02 am Post subject: |
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| Tim Lison wrote: | | Moriarty! I love it. I sincerely hope A&A put a piece like that into their production line as I would buy instantly! I love the type d pommel with a style 1 cross. Can't wait to see the final...when did you say we'd see it? |
Hey Holmes! I hear that you have one in the same batch, what's going on with that? Craig says mine is done, so maybe yours is too. He is just waiting for an opportunity to take some good pictures so it should be soon.
In the mean time, here are some early development shots of the pommel and cross. Craig did not have access to a good camera for these pictures, so he is not proud of them, but I think it's worth documenting here for posterity.
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Derek Wassom
Location: Fribourg, Switzerland Joined: 25 Feb 2004
Posts: 96
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| Posted: Sun 19 Aug, 2012 5:55 am Post subject: |
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I'm coming out of lurk mode to express my excitement for this project. Looking great so far! Can't wait to see the finished product.
Regards,
Derek Wassom
Luegisland Scholar
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William Swiger
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| Posted: Sun 19 Aug, 2012 6:18 am Post subject: |
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Very nice. If they turn it into a production model - will buy one!
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Robin Smith
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| Posted: Sun 19 Aug, 2012 6:43 am Post subject: |
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Very nice... I have too many projects out right now to think about a cocked hat project, but when I see this it makes me think I need to. Very cool sword
A furore Normannorum libera nos, Domine
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Roger Hooper
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| Posted: Sun 19 Aug, 2012 7:16 am Post subject: |
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Like everyone else, I'm looking forward to seeing the finished sword. Arms and Armor is definitely the place to go for a custom sword.
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Tim Lison
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| Posted: Sun 19 Aug, 2012 8:00 am Post subject: |
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| J.D. Crawford wrote: | | Hey Holmes! I hear that you have one in the same batch, what's going on with that? Craig says mine is done, so maybe yours is too. |
Yeah, he sent a few photos of mine the other day. I will keep it under wraps until it is done. I'm having them make a scabbard for it too. Never had them make a scabbard before so looking forward to seeing it. Will you be getting a scabbard for this one? Seems like a simple lace through one would fit a sword like this very well...
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J.D. Crawford
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| Posted: Sun 19 Aug, 2012 9:17 am Post subject: |
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Funny thing Tim, I often admire other people's scabbards (I've been meaning to comment on your recent aquisition) but mine always end up in the clothes closet. I just like looking at naked steel. (I'm tempted to make an analogy here, but afraid I would get into trouble again).
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Roger Hooper
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| Posted: Sun 19 Aug, 2012 1:03 pm Post subject: |
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| Tim Lison wrote: | | Yeah, he sent a few photos of mine the other day. I will keep it under wraps until it is done. I'm having them make a scabbard for it too. Never had them make a scabbard before so looking forward to seeing it. Will you be getting a scabbard for this one? Seems like a simple lace through one would fit a sword like this very well... |
Speaking of A&A scabbards, here is a good one that they made to go along with a custom 17th century sword they created for me. It doesn't have a lot of extra stuff on it, but is very nice.
A&A is making a custom sword for me too. I hope to get it by the end of this summer.
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J.D. Crawford
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| Posted: Sun 19 Aug, 2012 1:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Roger Hooper wrote: | | A&A is making a custom sword for me too. I hope to get it by the end of this summer. |
Craig was saying he had a batch of custom pieces coming together very soon, so he's probably talking about yours too.
By the way, that's a nice pairing above; way past my period of interest, but I like the broad blade just the same!
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J.D. Crawford
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| Posted: Sun 19 Aug, 2012 6:31 pm Post subject: |
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I'm glad to see that people find this project interesting. Here's a couple more later development shots, including the final one before the hilt furniture was peened onto the actual blade (the blade / tang parts shown above are just dummy pieces).
Hopefully shots of the final product will be available early this week.
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Tim Lison
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| Posted: Sun 19 Aug, 2012 8:26 pm Post subject: |
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Really liking the look of it. Did Craig send any full length shots?
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Sam Gordon Campbell
Location: Australia. Joined: 16 Nov 2008
Posts: 678
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| Posted: Mon 20 Aug, 2012 12:41 am Post subject: |
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That is quite glorious. Man, wish I had some moolah to have nice things 
Member of Australia's Stoccata School of Defence since 2008.
Host of Crash Course HEMA.
Founder of The Van Dieman's Land Stage Gladiators.
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J.D. Crawford
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| Posted: Mon 20 Aug, 2012 4:54 am Post subject: |
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| Tim Lison wrote: | | Really liking the look of it. Did Craig send any full length shots? |
Not yet Tim, that's everything I've got. By agreement its from the same stock as their St. Maurice (and your Anglosaxon long sword) but with some modifications. Looking forward to see how that came out.
| Sam Gordon Campbell wrote: | | That is quite glorious. Man, wish I had some moolah to have nice things |
I've been there my fellow clansman (I have Campbell ancestors).
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Jeremy V. Krause
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| Posted: Mon 20 Aug, 2012 10:03 am Post subject: |
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This is a really exciting project. I love, well, each element of the hilt- pommel, grip length, and guard. I love the look of the fuller as well- a bit narrow which I like to see.
I like how you seem to have developed an emphasis towards the more "weighty" or more cavalry driven historical examples in your collection. It gives a kind of focus if you will.
Eagerly following this project.
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J.D. Crawford
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| Posted: Mon 20 Aug, 2012 10:15 am Post subject: |
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| Jeremy V. Krause wrote: |
I like how you seem to have developed an emphasis towards the more "weighty" or more cavalry driven historical examples in your collection. It gives a kind of focus if you will.
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Good eye! This came about organically. While I was taking arming sword lessons I liked the standard 32", 2.5 lb, 4" PoB blade, but afterwards as I continued doing the drills at home, it felt like more and more size and weight was needed for a challenge. And I found this enjoyable, so long as the mass distribution is good. Alas, no time or space for sword drills anymore.
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Luka Borscak
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| Posted: Mon 20 Aug, 2012 12:35 pm Post subject: |
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Looking forward to seeing it completed! Maybe not immediately, but I would certainly buy this sword if it becomes stock piece with that blade length.
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Scott Woodruff
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| Posted: Mon 20 Aug, 2012 2:45 pm Post subject: |
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What is the blade length to be? I have been very excited to see the under-represented XI's that are starting to show up. It is very hard to find blades over 90cm.
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J.D. Crawford
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| Posted: Mon 20 Aug, 2012 4:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Scott Woodruff wrote: | | What is the blade length to be? I have been very excited to see the under-represented XI's that are starting to show up. It is very hard to find blades over 90cm. |
Scott, based on our initial discussions I am expecting about 95 cm. -JD
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This is a standard topic