Beginning about 1520, the Swiss sabre (schnepf) in Switzerland began to replace the straight longsword, inheriting its hilt types, and the longsword had fallen out of use in Switzerland by 1550. 4 European Single Hand-and-a-half Sword. : 4 3/4" Grip Length: 6 7/8" Blade: [C60 High Carbon Steel] Manufacturer: Deepeeka The tip of the sword blade is . Historical terms without a universal consensus of definition (i.e. The hand-and-a-half sword had a size between a one-handed sword and a two-handed sword. Use in the Inheritance cycle Both schools declined in the late 16th century, with the later Italian masters forgoing the longsword and focusing primarily on rapier fencing. Properties. When we see references to the Grans espes d'Allemagne (large swords of Germany) at the beginning of the 14th century,it is obvious that the idea of a larger sword for use with two hands has entered the arsenal of the Medieval Knight. Weight 1700 g. 5144. It was the typical knights sword of the 15th century designed for thrusting against vulnerable points in plate armor. Still, some sources show them used with bucklers or spiked shields in judicial duels, though the latter was unusual. . [27][28][29][self-published source? On the other hand, the term hand-and-a-half tends to describe later types of longswords with sharply tapering blades and specially shaped grips widely used in the 15th and 16th centuries. Half-swording (German halbschwert) refers to the technique of gripping the middle of the blade with the left hand to better control the tip of the sword. This type of sword was first developed in Europe in the 15th century and reflected the emergence of asymmetric guards, which made a two-edged blade somewhat redundant. Folio 158 v.). First quarter of the 9th c. A.D. (Stuttgart: Wurt. [17][18] Use of the longsword in attack was not limited only to use of the blade, however, as several Fechtbcher explain and depict use of the pommel and cross as offensive weapons. $225.00. More details . [citation needed], The small sword or smallsword (also court sword or dress sword, French: pe de cour)[citation needed] is a light one-handed sword designed for thrusting[citation needed] which evolved out of the longer and heavier rapier of the late Renaissance. The steeply pointed blade, indicating that it was primarily intended . Weapon: A Visual History of Arms and Armor, Williams, G. (2014). We offer an array of these swords. In comparison, a shortsword's blade is about 12 to 20 inches (30 to 50 cm). SBCM-MAS-RED Top is some kind of dress sword, bottom is cavalry saber? "Let thy (long) Rapier or (long) Sword be foure foote at the least, and thy dagger two foote." The bastard sword also had a long thin long blade that tapered into a point. Dorling Kindersley Publishing Staff. Some of the earliest swords seemingly designed for two handed use are the "Grete Swords of War" of the 13thC. Functionally, swords become more maneuverable, powerful, and fast when the handle is gripped with two hands. Here are the unique characteristics of hand-and-a-half swords: Historical hand-and-a-half sword blades were often made of a single piece of steel and were hardened by quenching. Hand and a half swords is a modern term to describe bastard swords but it is used in reference to long swords. Overall Length: 45.5" Blade Length: 33.50" Handle Material: Wood Covered in Leather, Black Carry System: Wood Scabbard Covered in Leather, Black This item is not for sale in some specific zip codes Frequently bought together + + Total price: Product Description They represent an optimised compromise between thrusting capability and retaining good cutting characteristics. Their handles have recognizable waist and bottle shapes which give a comfortable hold of the weapon. Traditional vs Modern Differential Hardening for Swords. Classically simple in design with a flattened diamond-section blade and cruciform hilt, the original dates from the early part of the 15th century. This type of sword had a thickened back to the blade (opposite the cutting edge), which gave the blade strength. CAS Hanwei Hand-and-a-Half Sword SH2034 Brand: CAS Hanwei $40399 About this item Authentic replica of Museum Piece Fully functional Overall length: 44 1/2" Product Description The Hand-and-a-Half Sword is replicated from a sword thought to be that of Albrecht II of Austria and represents the pinnacle of beauty and balance in medieval swords. 55413 United States. The French pe de passot may also refer to a medieval single-handed sword optimized for thrusting. germ. In southern Germany, it persisted into the 1560s, but its use also declined during the second half of the 16th century. . The long hilt 10-15 inches in length mainly distinguishes the bastard sword from other medieval swords. Most longswords were made between the mid-14th century and the mid-16th century, and most of these measure approximately 120-150 cm overall (100-120 cm blade length) and weigh an average 1.5 kg. The term longsword has been used to refer to different kinds of sword depending on historical context: The spatha was a double-edged longsword used by the Romans. . It does not mean that these blades could not cut well, though they were less optimized for slashing. Benefits of Using a Hand-and-a-Half-Sword. The tang is peened onto the forged pommel. Type XVIIIb blades are slender, comparable to XVa blades but longer, measuring between 90 and 107cm, with a correspondingly longer grip, often waisted for comfortable two-handed use. Hand-and-a-half swords varied in their blade length, usually ranging from 88 to 100 centimeters (35 to 40 inches). This hand-and-a-half sword is based on several historical originals. 30-40 Inches (3) 40-50 Inches (21) 50-60 Inches (2) Product Includes. Equipped with a long grip, the hand-and-a-half sword was suitable for use with one or even both hands if one wished to give extra force to a blow. Some of the earliest swords seemingly designed for two handed use are the Grete Swords of War of the 13th C. These are referred to by a variety of names and include Langschwert, spadone or spada longa, grootzwaard, pe btarde, and bastard sword. However, the reduced weight near the tips made them less efficient for slashing. [21], Joseph Swetnam states that the bastard sword is midway in length between an arming sword and a long sword,[22] and Randall Cotgrave's definition seems to imply this, as well. An example of a "true" bastard sword / hand-and-a-half sword Skallagrim 1.56M subscribers 881K views 7 years ago The term longsword (or "long sword") is often incorrectly applied to. [2] Navigation menu . The expression fechten mit dem langen schwert ("fencing with the long sword") in the German school of fencing denotes the style of fencing which uses both hands at the hilt; fechten mit dem kurzen schwert ("fencing with the short sword") is used in half-sword fighting, with one hand gripping the blade. Weight: 50oz Blade Thickness: 1/5" Blade Length: 33-1/2" Blade Steel: 1060 Carbon Handle Length/Material: 12" Overall Length: 45-1/2" Additional Features: Leather / Wood Scabbard with Steel Fittings. They have a flattened diamond cross-section, often with pronounced mid-rib, some being hollow-ground. In modern times, this variety of sword is also sometimes referred to as the broadsword.[36][37]. These techniques could be nearly instantly fatal or incapacitating, as a thrust to the skull, heart, or major blood vessel would cause massive trauma. SPADA SCHIAVONESCA. At the most basic level a longsword, also often known as a hand-and-a-half sword or a Bastard Sword, is a double-edged European sword, often with a cruciform hilt, that is capable of being used in either one hand or two. These swords were too heavy to be wielded one-handed and possessed a large grip for leverage. A hand-and-a-half sword can be anywhere from 3.5 to 4.5 feet long and generally weighs around 2-4 pounds. The English language terminology used in the classification of swords is imprecise and has varied widely over time. The term "single-handed sword" (or "one-handed sword") is a retronym coined to disambiguate from "two-handed" or "hand-and-a-half" specimens. The term "broadsword" was never used historically to describe the one-handed arming sword. By clicking enter you are verifying that you are old enough to consume alcohol. The term hand-and-a-half is more of modern designation for a range of sword types that featured tapered blades longer than the common shorter arming swords of the time but without the double-hand grips of larger heavier war-swords. The term "hand-and-a-half sword" refers to a sword with a moderate-length blade that can be used with either one hand or two. Daggers were loot/spoils. We will never share your information with anybody else cross our hearts, hope to die, stick a sharp sword in our (ok, this just got a little silly). Fully functional medieval battle ready sword. These are referred to by a variety of names and include Langschwert, spadone or spada longa, grootzwaard, pe btarde, and bastard sword. Scabbard. It also allowed pommeling technique, in which the pommel is partially held in the palm of the other hand to execute more forceful thrusts into heavy armor. If wielded in one hand, the hand-and-a-half sword functioned similarly to an arming sword, though its balance would be slightly different. In a depiction of a duel, individuals may be seen wielding sharply pointed longswords in one hand, leaving the other hand open to manipulate the large dueling shield. By the late 16th century, early forms of the developed-hilt appear on this type of sword. Hand-and-a-half swords have special half-grips that can be used with either one or both hands. Swordecyclopedia 2022 - All Rights Reserved, Medieval Swordsmanship: Illustrated Methods And Techniques, Medieval Military Technology, Second Edition. 750-1050)-language text, Articles containing Russian-language text, Articles containing Hungarian-language text, Articles containing Ukrainian-language text, Articles containing Turkish-language text, Articles containing Persian-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 20 December 2022, at 11:53. Venezia, fine secolo XV. . In comparison, a shortsword's blade is about 12 to 20 inches (30 to 50 cm). The term "hand-and-a-half sword" refers to a sword with a moderate-length blade that can be used with either one hand or two. The evolution of the large swords of war into the Knightly longsword can first be seen as a distinct group in the swords of Oakeshotts Type XIIa and XIIIa. These blades are long and slowly tapering, with a flat hexagonal blade cross-section and a fuller running along one third of the blade. Some of the heavier normal size swords that I looked out were the single handed wide blade cut and thrust swords like the Munich town guard swords. The Filipino islands are widely known for their vast assortment of edged weapons. Two-handed swords, on the other hand, are long and heavy, making them particularly effective at dealing critical blows. In terms of weight, a typical hand-and-a-half sword weighed roughly 2.4 to 4 pounds (1.1 to 1.8 kg). Length: 115 cm Weight: 1.4 kg Acquisition and important dates Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1933-03-16) by Henderson, James Stewart Dating 13th/14th Century Circa 1250 CE - 1350 CE Note The "longsword" type exists in a morphological continuum with . The distance between the hands obviously increases the leverage that combatant could exert on the weapon. @d-a-half-sw. Tweet Share Google+ Pinterest . Also, the hand on the blade increases its rigidity which is advantageous when thrusting. Well, the most notable benefit of this sword type is the ability to use it with another weapon or shield. However, the grete war sword should not be confused with the extremely large great swords of the Renaissance that required the use of two hands. Later on, the thrusting rapier gained favor as a civilian dueling weapon. [59][60] The scimitar proper was the Stradioti saber,[61][62] and the term was introduced into France by Philippe de Commines (1447 18 October 1511) as cimeterre,[63] Italy (especially the Venetian Republic who hired the stradioti as mercenaries) as scimitarra, and England as cimeter or scimitar via the French and Italian terms. Apparently, many swords were designed for left-hand use, although left-handed swords have been described as "a rarity".[12]. Overall 39 inches. A longer and broader blade which widened slightly towards the handle. The majority of these elongated weapons were designed for agility, precision and rapid thrusting blows to exploit gaps in the enemy's defences; the major joints of the arms, the opening in a visor. The cross sections of the blades also varied a great deal. A hand-and-a-half sword, however, falls somewhere between these two, with an average blade length of about 22 to 30 inches. Rather, it's intended to be used with either one hand or both, depending on the user's preferences and the circumstances in which he or she is using it. It's typically used as an intermediate weapon for those learning how to use a real longsword. This sword tends to have a guard that is slightly loose. They have a 2 inch guard width and 0.24 inch guard thickness. This is especially the case for weapons from antiquity, made before the development of high quality steel that is necessary for longer swords, in particular: Oversized two-handers used as parade swords or ceremonial weapons often exceeded the length and weight of practical weapons of war. [5], The term "hand-and-a-half sword" is relatively modern (from the late 19th century);[6] The hand-and-a-half swords had straight, double-edged blades. Longsword, bastard sword, and hand-and-a-half sword are all names used to describe a variety of medieval European swords. In modern history, many of these terms have been given specific, often arbitrary meanings that are unrelated to any of their historical meanings. The term "hand-and-a-half sword" is modern (late 19th century). As a history enthusiast, Abigail loves learning about the events that shaped the world. To overcome this problem, swords began to be used primarily for thrusting. A longsword is, obviously, longer than a shortsword. [citation needed] The small sword was the immediate predecessor of the pe de Combat from which the pe developed[45] and its method of useas typified in the works of such authors as Sieur de Liancour, Domenico Angelo, Monsieur J. Olivier, and Monsieur L'Abbatdeveloped into the techniques of the French classical school of fencing. They had handles of roughly 17 to 25 centimeters (7 to 10 inches), excluding pommels, and weighed about 3 to 4 pounds. Scabbard. The long grip gives the wielder plenty of leverage to maneuver the sword quickly and to strike decisively. Product description. Their specially shaped grips, usually bottle-shaped or waisted, gave better control and hold of the weapon. Price Availability* Description SBA-WARSPIKE $ 95 14 In Stock The Warspike: Knight Longsword Engrave this item for $20 . [3] The Cold Steel Kris series, which includes a sword and dagger, is something we hope all . These are all in reference to swords commonly called hand and a half swords or longswords today. But if that same warrior encountered an enemy on an open battlefield, he may switch to using two hands for greater strength and stopping power. The groin and throat were among the favourite targets. The distinction between two-handed swords and longswords can be confusing, and the deeper you delve into marginal cases the less clear the distinction can become. [44], The "tuck" (French estoc, Italian stocco)[citation needed] is an edgeless blade of square or triangular cross-section used for thrusting. "murder stroke"), where the weapon is held by the blade (hilt, pommel and crossguard serving as an improvised hammer head) and swung, taking advantage of the balance being close to the hilt to increase the concussive effect (see the fighter on the right of the Codex Wallerstein picture).[26]. Since it has no legitimate claim to being a member of either weapon family, it has earned the name bastard sword. Most feel they were blades that could be used either one or two handed (much like the longsword pictured), and sometimes the term hand and a half sword is also used interchangeably. The term hand-and-a-half sword is often used interchangeably with longsword, although it is not entirely accurate. Rather than restricting its use to either one or two hands, it allows for both types of wielding. Some historians believe that it was primarily used in war and not an everyday weapon of the knight. This increased the accuracy and strength of thrusts and provided more leverage for Ringen am Schwert or "wrestling at/with the sword". Hand-and-a-half swords were carried in scabbards attached to waist belts, though some sources mention swords being carried in rings welded directly to the skirt of a harness. The waisted grip, featuring a wider center tapering toward the pommel, allowed better control of the weapon. Today, replicas have high-carbon steel blades, though the ones used in stage combat and reenactment have blunt edges. A rapier (/ r e p i r /) or espada ropera is a type of sword with a slender and sharply-pointed two-edged blade that was popular in Western Europe, both for civilian use (dueling and self-defense) and as a military side arm, throughout the 16th and 17th centuries.. [citation needed], The French pe btarde and the English bastard sword originate in the 15th or 16th century,[citation needed] originally having the general sense of "irregular sword or sword of uncertain origin". Length. Regardless, the sword's defining characteristics remain the same: it can be used with either one hand or both hands. The hand-and-a-half sword was a balanced weapon that enabled one to use it with one or both hands. The katana is characterized by its distinctive appearance: a curved, slender, single-edged blade usually with a round guard and long grip to accommodate two hands. The 19cm grip is constructed from timber, covered in faux leather with a sewn seam which is then cord wrapped for extra strength. These terms were often described in relation to other unrelated weapons, without regard to their intended use and fighting style. Its French name pe btarde implies a sword of uncertain origin or an irregular sword. When wielded two-handed, they become brutally effective slashing or chopping weapons. With long tapering double-edged blade of flattened diamond section cut with two shallow fullers forming a low medial ridge over its entire length on each side, and incised with an indistinct crucifix mark on both sides towards the forte, long waisted ricasso with a pair of small pointed . . The "longsword" type exists in a morphological continuum with the medieval knightly sword and the Renaissance-era Zweihnder. The arming sword was the most used sword type in the medieval period. [citation needed]. The longsword is characterized not so much by a longer blade, but by a longer grip, which indicates a weapon designed for two-handed use. Hans Talhoffer, a mid-15th-century German fightmaster, is probably the most prominent, using a wide variety of moves, most resulting in wrestling. Hand-and-a-half swords had long grips that permitted the use of the second hand. The basket-hilted sword is a sword type of the early modern era characterised by a basket-shaped guard that protects the hand. They were in use during the 14th and 15th centuries. The swords grouped as "longswords" for the purposes of this article are united by their being intended for two-handed use. The basket hilt is a development of the quillons added to swords' crossguards since the Late Middle Ages.
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