Ed,
This artist might be interesting for you (
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albrecht_D%C3%BCrer).
He was one of the most talented painter in the late medieval period and he made tons of drawings and paintings which are very realistic.
He also made hundreds paintings of war or soldiers with extremely good views of the weapons of this period.
I have one book full of knights, soldiers and edged weapons from him: "Albrecht Dürer - Waffen und Rüstungen" (Albrecht Dürer - arms and armor)
I added one painting from 1498.
Roland