Hand and a half sword 14th/15th century

AHorsa · Yesterday, 02:42 PM

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 · Yesterday, 10:04 PM

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 · Today, 06:11 AM

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 · Today, 10:00 PM

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

Yesterday, 02:42 PM	#1
AHorsa Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Rhineland Posts: 388	Hand and a half sword 14th/15th century 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 Attached Images

Yesterday, 10:04 PM	#2
Hotspur Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nipmuc USA Posts: 551	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 Attached Images Last edited by Hotspur; Yesterday at 10:20 PM.

Today, 06:11 AM	#3
AHorsa Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Rhineland Posts: 388	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

Today, 10:00 PM	#4
Hotspur Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nipmuc USA Posts: 551	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