Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

fernando · 6th December 2009, 10:03 PM

The palm is of Roman origin, and comprehends the (width) length of a stretched hand; it was used to express the length of many a things.
Swords were also measured in palms. The laws published by the Kings to controll their length were in palms.
It also had a few variations, used in ship construction, loads, etc.
It measures about 22 cms (some 8,6"). It is still in use over here, specially in rural terms ... but not only.
Fernando

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6th December 2009, 10:03 PM	#2
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	The palm is of Roman origin, and comprehends the (width) length of a stretched hand; it was used to express the length of many a things. Swords were also measured in palms. The laws published by the Kings to controll their length were in palms. It also had a few variations, used in ship construction, loads, etc. It measures about 22 cms (some 8,6"). It is still in use over here, specially in rural terms ... but not only. Fernando . Last edited by fernando; 6th December 2009 at 10:18 PM.