During the first half of the 20th century, the term "bastard sword" was also used regularly to refer to this type of sword, while "long sword" (or "long-sword"), if used at all, referred to the rapier (in the context of Renaissance or Early Modern fencing).[7]. 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 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. [10] It is also used as a possible gloss of the obscure term tonsword by Nares (1822);[11] "one-handed sword" is somewhat later, recorded from c. 1850. The Scabbard All Hanwei western medieval swords come with a nicely made scabbard. [citation needed] In French, estoc also means thrust or point; and estoc et taille means cut and thrust. $269.99 $211.98! The term hand-and-a-half or bastard sword became a label to denote the later manifestations of these war swords or longswords. Dual Tempered HRc 60 48-50 at the core Fittings : Mild Steel Blade Thickness: 1.34 mm Total Length: 45 . For example, 'longsword' is related to the German 'langshwert', and 'bastard sword' from the French 'pe btarde',but they all refer to the same basic form, a double edged sword with a grip large enough to be used with two hands. The last known German manual to include longsword teaching was that of Jakob Sutor, published in 1612. Two-Hander Longsword DJ Combat Two-Hander Longsword (2 reviews) Write a Review SKU: DD-W-206 $110.00 Quantity: Description Specifications Made from polypropylene. The most common form is also known as the Chinese sabre, although those with wider blades are sometimes referred to as Chinese broadswords. It was coined by modern collectors in the 19th century to refer to how the weapon is wielded. A hand-and-a-half sword, however, falls somewhere between these two, with an average blade length of about 22 to 30 inches. Early depictions of a sword in two hands show swords such as the A&A Hungarian Sword used to deliver these blows. In modern times, this variety of sword is also sometimes referred to as the broadsword.[36][37]. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The two terms are largely equivalent to "unarmoured fighting" (blossfechten) and "armoured fencing" (fechten im harnisch). More details . A longsword is, obviously, longer than a shortsword. Hand-and-a-Half Style Hilt Padded Leather Grip Tapered Blade for Slashing or Thrusting Now Available in Standard or Fully Tempered Carbon Steel Blade Full Tang Models on Sale To Order Model No. Hand-and-a-half swords initially had a plain crossguard but later featured extensive hand guards. Slung across his back in a black leather shoulder sheath was Longclaw, the hand-and-a-half bastard blade the Old Bear had given him for saving his life. Hans Talhoffer, a mid-15th-century German fightmaster, is probably the most prominent, using a wide variety of moves, most resulting in wrestling. [40][41][42] Early models were either two-handers or "hand-and-a-half" hilted,[43] while later 16th and 17th century models (also known as koncerz) were one-handed and used by cavalry. The 19cm grip is constructed from timber, covered in faux leather with a sewn seam which is then cord wrapped for extra strength. In Athenian art, Spartan hoplites were often depicted using a kopis instead of the xiphos, as the kopis was seen as a quintessential "villain" weapon in Greek eyes.[46]. Handle Length. The 34 inch blade on that tends to be like 2 inches wide and 6mm+ thick and tapering . + $45.00 shipping. Two handed jians from the time of the Chu and Han Dynasty were up to 150cm (58in) long. Sword Mounting Hand-and-a-half swords can be used with one or both hands as needed in combat. The backsword was a single-edged, straight-bladed sword, typically for military use. The longsword as a late medieval type of sword emerges in the 14th century, as a military steel weapon of the earlier phase of the Hundred Years' War. 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. The #034 Black Prince a Type XVa Longsword, Durer Bastard Sword #195 a Type XVIII Longsword. The cross sections of the blades also varied a great deal. Some historians believe that it was primarily used in war and not an everyday weapon of the knight. It was prevalent during the late medieval and Renaissance periods (approximately 1350 to 1550), with early and late use reaching into the 12th and 17th centuries. In the years to follow, however, the sword later became known as a "bastard sword." Hand-and-a-half swords had long grips that permitted the use of the second hand. Sword 5 - 15th Century Hand and a Half Sword. It's not technically intended to be used with one and a half hands that doesn't make sense. The hand-and-a-half swords optimized the combination of reach, maneuverability, and weight. In HEMA, the term longsword refers to all swords with grips long enough to accommodate two hands yet lightweight enough to wield in one hand. All parts of the sword are used for offensive purposes, including the pommel and crossguard. According to the book titled "Exhibition of the Royal House of Tudo," hand-and-a-half sword is a relatively new term that just recently appeared beginning in the latter half of the 19th century. 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. Longsword, bastard sword, and hand-and-a-half sword are all names used to describe a variety of medieval European swords. 100-122 cm (39-48 in) Width. A longer and broader blade which widened slightly towards the handle. Includes a leather belt frog and scabbard with belt stop. These terms were often described in relation to other unrelated weapons, without regard to their intended use and fighting style. They had handles of roughly 17 to 25 centimeters (7 to 10 inches), excluding pommels, and weighed about 3 to 4 pounds. 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. Blade Length: 34.5 Inches ; Handle Length: 11.5 Inches ; Overall Length: 46 Inches ; Balance Point: 3.5 Inches Below Hilt ; Weight: 2 lbs. Sword hangers are knotted onto the scabbard with strips of leather, and they can be adjusted to fit and angle with a pair of brass screws. There are two late examples of longswords kept in the Swiss National Museum, both with vertically grooved pommels and elaborately decorated with silver inlay, and both belonging to Swiss noblemen in French service during the late 16th and early 17th century, Gugelberg von Moos and Rudolf von Schauenstein. 44. The "Masters of Defence" competition organised by Henry VIII in July 1540 listed two handed sword and bastard sword as two separate items. In some instances, the crossguard could hook the shield or the weapon away and even trip the enemy. The Cold Steel Kris series, which includes a sword and dagger, is something we hope all . When pike formations became common on battlefield tactics, ranged weapons proved more effective against pikemen, diminishing the advantages of hand-and-a-half swords. On the contrary, the hand-and-a-half sword had a longer grip to allow it to be wielded with one or two hands, delivering a more powerful blow in one stroke if necessary. However they mainly saw prominence outside the battlefield as a duelling weapon. Its French name pe btarde implies a sword of uncertain origin or an irregular sword. Modern replica longswords cover many of these diverse types, though certainstyles are less well represented in the current market place. In Italy, spadone, or longsword, instruction lingered on despite the popularity of the rapier, at least into the mid-17th century (Alfieri's Lo Spadone of 1653), with a late treatise of the "two handed sword" by one Giuseppe Colombani, a dentist in Venice dating to 1711. Origins of the Hand-and-a-Half-Sword These blades are strongly tapered, more narrow and slender even than the single-handed type XV variant, with a flattened diamond cross-section. We will respect your privacy. With the Irish Hand and Half Sword, you swiftly break through the enemy lines and claim victory for your army this morn. "Single-handed sword" is used by Sir Walter Scott. Warspike Knight's Hand-and-a-Half (Bastard) Sword $95 In Stock! After the mid-14th century, sword blades became more sharply tapered toward the point, with diamond or hexagonal cross-sections to increase their rigidity for thrusting. The term referred to a medieval single-handed sword optimized for thrusting. This is very popular . Their defining characteristics is that they have three fullers, a shallow central fuller running along half the blade's length, with two shallow parallel fullers along the first quarter. Most were better suited for thrusting, but others were also designed for more cutting. Fine secolo XIV Lunghezza totale cm 108. The bastard sword also had a long thin long blade that tapered into a point. The Austrian Bastard Sword. The Spartiats were always armed with a xiphos as a secondary weapon. [3] @d-a-half-sw. [13] These blades are long and slowly tapering, with a flat hexagonal blade cross-section and a fuller running along one third of the blade. They run 3 pounds plus, but you wonder how much of that weight is in the basket hilt, etc.? Most swords are intended for use either one or two hands. Classically simple in design with a flattened diamond-section blade and cruciform hilt, the original dates from the early part of the 15th century. Blade Length: 107.3 cm (42 1/4 in.) There is no historical Italian equivalent to the English word "rapier". The longsword has many names in the English language, which, aside from variant spellings, include terms such as "bastard sword" and "hand-and-a-half sword." Elizabethans used descriptive terms such as "short", "bastard", and "long" which emphasized the length of the blade, and "two-handed" for any sword that could be wielded by two hands. This manual, unfortunately for modern scholars, was written in obscure verse. Most long swords were double edged. A hand-and-a-half sword is a weapon either with a flat blade or with diamond or lenticular cross-section that's between 22 to 30 inches. Scabbards protected the sword from dampness, rain, and were typically reinforced by a metal chape at the tip. The hilts (handles) range from 8 to 16 inches long to provide room for gauntleted hands. The hook sword, twin hooks, fu tao or shuang gou (simplified Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: or ; pinyin: Gou), also known as hu tou gou (tiger head hook), is a Chinese weapon traditionally associated with northern styles of Chinese martial arts and Wushu weapons routines, but now often practiced by southern styles as well. [citation needed], The sabre (US saber) or shable (French sabre, Spanish sable, Italian sciabola, German Sbel, Russian sablya, Hungarian szablya, Polish szabla, Ukrainian shablya) is a single-edged curved bladed cavalry sword.[57]. Made from 5160 high-carbon steel, this functional sword has a double-edge blade. Historical (15th to 16th century) terms for this type of sword included Portuguese espada-de-armas, estoque or espada de duas mos for the version with longer handle used exclusively with both hands; Spanish espadn, montante, or mandoble, Italian spada longa (lunga) or spada due mani (Bolognese), and Middle French passot. Ewart Oakeshott classified medieval swords into types, focusing on their blade type, pommel, and crossguard designs. What's in a name? When wielded two-handed, they become brutally effective slashing or chopping weapons. Historical terms (15th to 16th century) for this type of sword included the Italian spada longa (lunga) and French pe longue. Functionally, swords become more maneuverable, powerful, and fast when the handle is gripped with two hands. 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. The khopesh is an ancient Egyptian curved short sword with a length of approx. [13][14][15][dubious discuss] The great sword proper was developed during the Renaissance, but its earlier cousin, the Scottish Claymore, was very similar in size and use, like the "outsized specimens" between 160cm and 180cm (approx. Grip Length: 7.5 inches; Overall Length: 46.5 inches; Blade thickness (base): 4.6 mm; Blade thickness (1" from tip): 3.0 mm; Guard Width: 10 inches; These are double-edged, usually straight bladed swords, designed for optimized balance, reach and versatility. The most well-known systematic typology of blade types of the European medieval sword is the Oakeshott typology, although this is also a modern classification and not a medieval one. When wielded one-handed, they can be paired with a shield for extra defense. Honshu Damascus Broadsword With Sheath - Damascus Steel Blade, TPR Handle, Stainless Steel Pommel - Length 43 1/2". "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]. Overall 39 inches. The edgeless swords category comprises weapons which are related to or labelled as "swords" but do not emphasise hacking or slashing techniques or have any cutting edges whatsoever. The later hardened plate armours, complete with ridges and roping, posed a threat against the careless attacker. [citation needed], The tuck may also get its name from the verb "to tuck" which means "to shorten". or example, 'longsword' is related to the German 'langshwert', and 'bastard sword' from the French 'pe btarde', Take the Survey (takes 2 minutes or less). Glamdring (also called the Foe-hammer and the Beater) was a hand-and-a-half sword, forged for Turgon, the Elven King of Gondolin during the First Age, and much later owned by the wizard Gandalf . In terms of weight, a typical hand-and-a-half sword weighed roughly 2.4 to 4 pounds (1.1 to 1.8 kg). The hand and a half blade is used for thrusting and the length of the blade is not any longer than the long sword. Sword 5 - 15th Century Hand and a Half Sword. Folio 158 v.). Codified systems of fighting with the longsword existed from the later 14th century, with a variety of styles and teachers each providing a slightly different take on the art. In modern history, many of these terms have been given specific, often arbitrary meanings that are unrelated to any of their historical meanings. Expand Favorite View PDF Fencing longsword ("hand-and-a-half" sword) Culture German Datelate 1500s Mediumsteel, wood and leather DimensionsOverall length: 141.5 cm (55 3/4 in.) [14] A longsword (also spelled long sword, long-sword) is a type of European sword characterized as having a cruciform hilt with a grip for two handed use and a straight double-edged blade of around 100 to 122 cm (39 to 48 in . The lack of significant torso and limb protection leads to the use of a large amount of cutting and slicing techniques in addition to thrusts. This versatility was unique, as multiple works hold that the longsword provided the foundations for learning a variety of other weapons including spears, staves, and polearms. 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. [26] Instead, the energy of the cut becomes essentially pure concussive energy. This actually does help with defining how long the blade can be in relation t. Tony Willis, "A Pair of Scottish Swords", Learn how and when to remove this template message, List of premodern combat weapons Swords, "Pappenheimer | Define Pappenheimer at Dictionary.com", "SOCIETY:: WEAPONS:: THRUSTING AND CUTTING WEAPONS [1] image - Visual Dictionary Online", "Search Chambers - Free English Dictionary", "A Perfect Length II: The Longsword | Encased in Steel", "Sword types in prize playing - The Association for Renaissance Martial Arts", "The Raymond J. Lord Collection of Historical Combat Treatises and fencing manuals: Terms of Use", "dictionary:: Panzerstecher [Blankwaffe]:: German-English translation", "Philadelphia Museum of Art - Collections Object: Tuck (Panzerstecher)", "Hermann Historica - Internationales Auktionshaus fr Antiken, Alte Wa", "Glossaire archologique du Moyen Age et de la Renaissance", "Ethnographic Arms & Armour - Article: Notes on development of modern sabers - Role of Eastern Europe & the Hussars", "Stradioti: Balkan Mercenaries In Fifteenth And Sixteenth Century Italy", "estradiot: dfinition de estradiot, citations, exemples et usage pour estradiot dans le dictionnaire de franais Littr adapt du grand dictionnaire de la langue franaise d'Emile Littr", Best and most powerful martial arts, fight science, Top Quality Bokken/ Katana Sword available for Martial Arts training, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Classification_of_swords&oldid=1128493319, Articles that may contain original research from October 2012, All articles that may contain original research, Articles with disputed statements from August 2013, Articles containing Scottish Gaelic-language text, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2012, Articles containing Chinese-language text, Articles containing Italian-language text, Articles containing simplified Chinese-language text, Articles containing traditional Chinese-language text, Articles containing Yue Chinese-language text, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2013, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2014, Articles with self-published sources from August 2022, Articles containing Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text, Articles containing Japanese-language text, Articles containing Spanish-language text, Articles containing Old High German (ca. : 4 3/4" Grip Length: 6 7/8" Blade: [C60 High Carbon Steel] Manufacturer: Deepeeka (M. Rector, Ed. The Warspike combines the length of a long arming sword, the hilt of a small hand-and-a-half, and just a hint of a "tuck" thrusting blade. The blade length is about 70 to 80 cm (28-32 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. [citation needed] The height of the small sword's popularity was between the mid-17th and late 18th century. The long grip gives the wielder plenty of leverage to maneuver the sword quickly and to strike decisively. It could also be used one-handed against lightly armored archers from horseback and two-handed for thrusting attacks against heavily armored opponents. avg. Would a sword with a long handle, but a shorter blade (like an arming sword) be a "bastard" neither being a one nor two handed sword? These are all in reference to swords commonly called hand and a half swords or longswords today. The blade measured around 1 metre (40 inches), the grip averaged 15-23 cm (6-9 inches).