Hand and a half sword 14th/15th century

[AHorsa]

Dear sword enthusiasts,

I am pleased to be able to show you this sword. It most likely comes from what is now the southeastern region of Germany. On both sides of the blade, an inlaid mark in the shape of a key can be seen.

Am I right to date the sword to the 2nd half of the 14th century?

Does anyone know that mark?

Overall length: 108 cm
Blade: 84.5 cm
Blade width: 4.5 cm
Handle: 17.3 cm
Guard: 23.5 cm
Pommel: 4.8 cm

Kind regards
Andreas

[Hotspur]

13th century, Ewart Oakeshott would list it as a type XIIa

A&A is associated with the Oakeshott institute and lists the spike type guards earlier, albeit the XIIa form starting when blades got longer.



Cheers
GC

from The Sword in the Age of Chivalry

[AHorsa]

Thank you for the detailed feedback!

In one of Ewart Oakeshott’s books, a very similar sword is illustrated as XIIIa–11—also dated quite early.
All due respect to Oakeshott, but are these pieces really that old? Yes, the pointed cross-guard already appeared among the Vikings, but to my knowledge it continued in use well into the 15th century. The pommel shape, however, seems to me to be clearly later than the 12th or 13th century. It would be great to find a contemporary depiction—that would shed much more light on the matter.

Best regards
Andreas

[Hotspur]

This sword comes to mind

https://myarmoury.com/review_aa_bohemian.php


There are galleries and articles still there

https://myarmoury.com/feature_spotxii.html

Cheers
GC

[cornelistromp]

it's not a 1 1/2 hander but a two handed sword or Grete war sword. ( oakeshott typeXIIA)

for comparison

pommel
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21451

marks
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11231

[AHorsa]

Thank you for your replies, gentlemen!

Thanks for clarifying about the type. How do one recognize if 1 1/2 or two handed? Am unsure about the date. Here are some more photos of the pommel. It is pretty thick (~4cm). A somehow similar one (but not same) can also be seen in the book "The sword - form and thought".

The blade length is nearly same as for my one handed sword. Could it have been shortened?

BR
Andreas

[AHorsa]

I've read a bit more into the topic of great swords, two handed and hamd-and-a-half swords. As far as I understand, a great sword could be to handed and 1.5 handed. Is that correct? The grip here would be too small for holding it properly with two hands. Ia it possible that it is a 1.5 handed great sword? That would also explain its relatively short blad and light wight (1300g). So that it could be well handled with one hand too.

Best regards
Andreas

[AHorsa]

No more ideas on that piece? Any red flags?

Best regards
Andreas

[cornelistromp]

Andreas,
This book is highly recommended. It is a collection of articles by Oakeshott about the different types, which are described extensively here. Also The Grete War Sword in detail.

ps. your sword looks OK/genuine to me.

[AHorsa]

Thank you Jasper!!