The hand-and-a-half sword is particularly versatile in this regard. In terms of blade typology, they do not form a single category. The hand-and-a-half sword is also called a bastard sword because it has no legitimate claim to being classified as either a one-handed or two-handed weapon. Product details: Length: 115.6 cm / Blade length: 85.10 cm / Grip length: 30.5 cm / Blade width at guard: 5.1 cm / Weight: 1389 g / Steel type: 1056 carbon steel, hardness 52-54 HRC . This is especially the case for weapons from antiquity, made before the development of high quality steel that is necessary for longer swords, in particular: Oversized two-handers used as parade swords or ceremonial weapons often exceeded the length and weight of practical weapons of war. Tweet Share Google+ Pinterest . 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. 8 . Hand-and-a-Half (44) Length. Hand-and-a-Half Sword. As its name suggests, it had an advantage in terms of greater reach over the so-called short sword or arming sword. By the second half of the 16th century, it persisted mostly as a weapon for sportive competition (Schulfechten), and possibly in knightly duels. 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. [citation needed] The arming sword was wrongly labelled a broadsword by antiquarians as the medieval swords were similar in blade width to the military swords of the day (that were also sometimes labeled as broadswords) and broader than the dueling swords and ceremonial dress swords. In the Oakeshott typology of blade morphology, "longswords" figure as a range of sub-types of the corresponding single-handed sword types.[16]. What would be the best length for a sword with a hand and a half hilt Here are the unique characteristics of hand-and-a-half swords: Historical hand-and-a-half sword blades were often made of a single piece of steel and were hardened by quenching. A tradition of teaching based on this has survived in contemporary French and Italian stick fighting.[24]. This 15th Century Hand and a Half Sword is a surprisingly agile sword for its size with a total weight of only about 3 lbs - this ensures the sword is swift on the strike and a fine sword for drills and use. The Fitzwilliam Museum - Hand-and-a-half sword: HEN.M.188-1933 The excellent balance and light weight make the Warspike an exceptional addition to any collection. In medieval fight books, the crossguard and pommel can be used for striking. These are all in reference to swords commonly called hand and a half swords or longswords today. An example of a "true" bastard sword / hand-and-a-half sword Both schools declined in the late 16th century, with the later Italian masters forgoing the longsword and focusing primarily on rapier fencing. Warspike Knight's Hand-and-a-Half (Bastard) Sword $95 In Stock! Pal. Special, versatile (1d8) The middle ground between an arming sword and a longsword --sometimes called a "hand and a half sword"-- this blade's hilt is short enough to be used in one hand while also being long enough to warrant two hands if needed though it isn't as effective as a longsword . Today, replicas have high-carbon steel blades, though the ones used in stage combat and reenactment have blunt edges. Use in the Inheritance cycle Broadswords for sale, Medieval or Modern - BUDK.com The "longsword" type exists in a morphological continuum with . Hand-and-a-Half Sword: Its History and Use in Combat Jun 13, 2018. This actually does help with defining how long the blade can be in relation t. [59][60] The scimitar proper was the Stradioti saber,[61][62] and the term was introduced into France by Philippe de Commines (1447 18 October 1511) as cimeterre,[63] Italy (especially the Venetian Republic who hired the stradioti as mercenaries) as scimitarra, and England as cimeter or scimitar via the French and Italian terms. The hilts (handles) range from 8 to 16 inches long to provide room for gauntleted hands. The Spartan version was typically only 3045 centimetres. These are all in reference to swords commonly called hand and a half swords or longswords today. Swordsmen were trained to use the dulled side for defensive and blocking techniques. Ewart Oakeshott distinguishes twelve different types. Includes a leather belt frog and scabbard with belt stop. The blade is 79cm in length and constructed from a rugged 1060 spring steel and through . [17]:1516 The blade was generally used with both hands on the hilt, one resting close to or on the pommel. The term hand-and-a-half sword is often used interchangeably with longsword, although it is not entirely accurate. Honestly, your best bet for undestanding the dimensions of a historically accurate sword would be to have a look at museum pieces and moder. These swords were what we today call a "Hand and a Half" sword, or rather swords that can be utilized for either one-handed or two-handed use. The fighter could attempt to hit the opponent in the face using the pommel when wrestling with the sword, disarm, or throw him. The "Masters of Defence" competition organised by Henry VIII in July 1540 listed two handed sword and bastard sword as two separate items. Its length is 118,5 cm with a blade of 89,5 cm and it weighs 2150 g. The grip gives the sword a unique character. Rather than restricting its use to either one or two hands, it allows for both types of wielding. Daggers were loot/spoils. This type of sword had a thickened back to the blade (opposite the cutting edge), which gave the blade strength. Bonhams : An Italian Two-Hand Sword The term longsword has been used to refer to different kinds of sword depending on historical context: The spatha was a double-edged longsword used by the Romans. Hand and a half swords is a modern term to describe bastard swords but it is used in reference to long swords. Hand and a Half Sword 88HNH medieval bastard sword by Cold Steel. This type includes the 14th to 15th century "hand and a half sword" or "two-handed" swords, often with two or more fullers. Scabbards protected the sword from dampness, rain, and were typically reinforced by a metal chape at the tip. It's not technically intended to be used with one and a half hands -- that doesn't make sense. [17]:7373,plate 67 The cross has been shown to be used as a hook for tripping or knocking an opponent off balance. 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). Two-handed swords, on the other hand, are long and heavy, making them particularly effective at dealing critical blows. Longswords vs Bastard Swords vs Hand-and-a-Half Swords Blade Length: 107.3 cm (42 1/4 in.) GOTHIC HAND AND A HALF SWORD. The first Chinese sources that mention the jian date to the 7th century BC during the Spring and Autumn period;[18] one of the earliest specimens being the Sword of Goujian. Leather Wrapped Handle. The name hand-and-a-half is not a historical term. Important sources for rapier fencing include the Italian Bolognese group, with early representatives such as Antonio . On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The cutlass or curtal-axe also known as a falchion (French badelaire, braquemart,[54] coutelas,[55] malchus; Italian coltellaccio, storta; German messer,[56] dussack, malchus) is a broad-bladed curved hanger or long knife. This page was last edited on 27 February 2023, at 01:56. The longsword, greatsword and bastard-sword were also made in Spain, appearing relatively late, known as the espadon, the montante and bastarda or espada de mano y media respectively. (J. L. Forgeng, Trans.). [citation needed] The small sword was the immediate predecessor of the pe de Combat from which the pe developed[45] and its method of useas typified in the works of such authors as Sieur de Liancour, Domenico Angelo, Monsieur J. Olivier, and Monsieur L'Abbatdeveloped into the techniques of the French classical school of fencing. COLD STEEL HAND AND A HALF SWORD DEADLIEST WEAPONS One of Lynn's favorites.Hand-And-A-Half Sword. [citation needed]. George Silver[31] and Joseph Swetnam) is a single-handed "cut-and-thrust" sword with a 1.2-meter-long (4ft) blade[22] similar to the long rapier. "[20] Espe bastarde could also historically refer to a single-handed sword with a fairly long blade compared to other short swords. German Bastard or Hand-And -A-Half Sword, early 16th century with long slender tapering double-edged blade of flattened diamond section, hilt comprising arched quillons with swelling tips of flat triangular section, side-ring en suite and with fluted tips where they join the quillons, and inner bar of circular section bent down and made in one with the downcurved arm, associated fluted fig . Therein the basics of combat were described and, in some cases, depicted. By the early 16th century, hand-and-a-half swords continued to be used by knights and men-at-arms in knightly duels and sporting competitions. Cod. Non-sharpened. @d-a-half-sw. This technique combines the use of the sword with wrestling, providing opportunities to trip, disarm, break, or throw an opponent and place them in a less offensively and defensively capable position. The French pe de passot was also known as pe btarde[citation needed] (i.e., bastard sword) and also coustille croix[23] (literally a cross-hilted blade). Gothic hand-and-a-half sword Wolfram - CelticWebMerchant.com [citation needed] The height of the small sword's popularity was between the mid-17th and late 18th century. [8][9][10] Prior to this the term "long sword" merely referred to any sword with a long blade; 'long' being simply an adjective rather than a classification. Distinct "bastard sword" hilt types developed during the first half of the 16th century. A Rare All-Steel Left-Hand DaggerThird Quarter Of The 16th Century, Probably Spanish. This type of sword was first developed in Europe in the 15th century and reflected the emergence of asymmetric guards, which made a two-edged blade somewhat redundant. The term referred to a medieval single-handed sword optimized for thrusting. ], Antiquarian usage in the 19th century established the use of "bastard sword" as referring unambiguously to these large swords. ca. It could also be used one-handed against lightly armored archers from horseback and two-handed for thrusting attacks against heavily armored opponents. Historical terms (15th to 16th century) for this type of sword included the Italian spada longa (lunga) and French pe longue. All parts of the sword are used for offensive purposes, including the pommel and crossguard. germ. [5]:130 These all seem to have originated in Bavaria and in Switzerland. The longsword was a quick, effective, and versatile weapon capable of deadly thrusts, slices, and cuts. 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. Medieval Agincourt War Sword - Battlecry by Windlass - Museum Replicas 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. A longsword (also spelled as long sword or long-sword) is a type of European sword characterized as having a cruciform hilt with a grip for primarily two-handed use (around 15 to 30cm or 6 to 12in), a straight double-edged blade of around 80 to 110cm (31 to 43in), and weighing approximately 1 to 1.5kg (2lb 3oz to 3lb 5oz).[1][2]. [17]:plate 58 Some manuals even depict the cross as a hammer. 1400-1430 On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 373. search . Dorling Kindersley Publishing Staff. This hand-and-a-half sword is based on several historical originals. avg. A longsword (long sword) is any sword that is generally wielded with two hands. Fully functional medieval battle ready 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. The specific term used to describe these swords in period varied by region as listed above. Apparently, many swords were designed for left-hand use, although left-handed swords have been described as "a rarity".[12]. Landesbib. The French pe de passot may also refer to a medieval single-handed sword optimized for thrusting. . This . They were hybrid swords that enabled blows to be delivered with the power of a two-handed sword but could also be wielded with one hand. They are a sub-class . 3 Reviews; 3 Reviews. Half-swording was a manner of using both hands, one on the hilt and one on the blade, to better control the weapon in thrusts and jabs. All these newly introduced or redefined terms add to the confusion of the matter. A longsword typically features a blade with a length of approximately 33 to 41 inches (85 to 110 cm). Contemporary use of "long-sword" or "longsword" only resurfaced in the 2000s in the context of reconstruction of the German school of fencing, translating the German langes schwert. Buy the medieval Albrecht Hand-and-a-Half Swords for $ 299.99. These are double-edged, usually straight bladed swords, designed for optimized balance, reach and versatility. 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. After a Brief exchange with the Questioner in another answer, I have gotten an approximation of what recurve profile has been asked upon. [17][18] Use of the longsword in attack was not limited only to use of the blade, however, as several Fechtbcher explain and depict use of the pommel and cross as offensive weapons. Maximum Diameter: 4.2 cm (1 5/8 in.) Terminology was further complicated by terms introduced[1] or misinterpreted[2][3][4] in the 19th century by antiquarians and in 20th century pop culture,[5] and by the addition of new terms such as "great sword", "Zweihnder" (instead of Beidhnder), and "cut-and-thrust sword". The term "hand-and-a-half" have originated due to the fact that the sword was designed for both one and two-handed use, not because one and a half hands are needed to wield it. However, the grete war sword should not be confused with the extremely large great swords of the Renaissance that required the use of two hands. Seconds Medieval European Hand and Half Bastard Sword Through Tempered 55413 United States. 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 . Today, it is among the most common weapons used in HEMA. Regardless of what they are called these swords areall of a type that is iconic to the middle ages. As such, warriors using the hand-and-a-half sword were given more options. The swords grouped as "longswords" for the purposes of this article are united by their being intended for two-handed use. 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. Recommended Products Windlass Rustblocker Special Offer (Reg $24.95) [+$21.95] Flitz Care Kit Special Offer (Reg $26.95) [+$21.95] In stock BUY NOW OVERVIEW Sword Length: 42 5/8". There is a wide assortment of Kris swords styles to choose from as each island, region, clan, or school has its own favorite with some putting more emphasis on cutting while others favor styles more conducive for thrusting. The arming sword was the most used sword type in the medieval period. Cold Steel Hand-and-A-Half Sword with Leather/Wood Scabbard This is very popular . Our Medieval Hand and a Half Sword with Blunted Blade is a Battle Ready sword designed to be used for Stage Combat. NE Hand-and-a-Half Sword - The Metropolitan Museum of Art Fine secolo XIV Lunghezza totale cm 108. These days, the term longsword most frequently refers to a late Medieval and Renaissance weapon designed for use with two hands. $269.99 $211.98! Hand-and-a-half swords varied in their blade length, usually ranging from 88 to 100 centimeters (35 to 40 inches). Knives such as the seax and other blades of similar length between 30 and 60cm (1 and 2ft) are sometimes construed as swords. As a history enthusiast, Abigail loves learning about the events that shaped the world. The sword is made of carbon steel with a Rockwell hardness of HRC 54 ? "Single-handed sword" is used by Sir Walter Scott. We offer an array of these swords. The half-swording technique was essential in armored combat, as most cutting and slashing blows will not cause enough damage to an iron or steel plate. Most are leather covered with metal chape and throat. [30] However, George Silver and Joseph Swetnam refer to them merely as "two hande sworde". [25], The "Masters of Defence" competition organised by Henry VIII in July 1540 listed[26] "two hande sworde", "bastard sworde", and "longe sworde" as separate items (as it should in Joseph Swetnam's context). The weapon may be held with one hand during disarmament or grappling techniques. Deepeeka Spadona Review - sword-buyers-guide.com Use of the two-handed Great Sword or Schlachtschwert by infantry (as opposed to their use as a weapon of mounted and fully armoured knights) seems to have originated with the Swiss in the 14th century. probably German. The distance between the hands obviously increases the leverage that combatant could exert on the weapon. Bastard medieval swords, also known as hand-and-a-half swords, are surprisingly diverse weapons. Bastard sword - A Wiki of Ice and Fire They also had a pommel that counterbalanced the weight of the blade, improving its maneuverability. 5, which scholars have dated back to between 1100 and 1200 due to the hilt style and specific taper, but swords like this remain incredibly rare, and are not representative of an identifiable trend before the late 13th or early 14th century. The hand-and-a-half swords had long, slender blades and sharp points that could penetrate the gaps in the opponents armor. [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. When wielded two-handed, they become brutally effective slashing or chopping weapons. [25] The term passot comes from the fact that these swords passed (passaient) the length of a "normal" short sword. The long hilt 10-15 inches in length mainly distinguishes the bastard sword from other medieval swords. A longsword, hand and a half sword or bastard sword is a long, symmetrical sword with a cruciform (cross-shaped) hilt, and a double-edged blade tapered to a sharp point for thrusting. A bastard sword or hand-and-a-halfer[1] are swords which fall between the longsword or broadsword and the two-handed greatsword in size. Blofechten (blosz fechten) or "bare fighting" is the technique of fighting without significant protective armour such as plate or mail. In comparison, a shortsword's blade is about 12 to 20 inches (30 to 50 cm). The cross sections of the blades also varied a great deal. Middle Ages Warrior Short Broadsword With Black Sheath - Double-Edged Sharp Blade - 22 1/2" Length. What Is a Hand-and-a-Half Sword? | MartialArtSwords.com Its handle featured a waisted shape, tapering towards shorter, thinner half-grips. [21] Others provided similar work, some with a wide array of images to accompany the text.[22]. The scimitar (French cimeterre, Italian scimitarra) is a type of saber that came to refer in general to any sabre used by the Turks or Ottomans (kilic), Persians (shamshir) and more specifically the Stradioti[58] (Albanian and Greek mercenaries who fought in the French-Italian Wars and were employed throughout Western Europe). Broadswords - Preferred Arms [2] Navigation menu . The backsword reached its greatest use in the 17th and 18th century when many cavalry swords, such as the British 1796 Heavy Cavalry Sword, were of this form. With the Irish Hand and Half Sword, you swiftly break through the enemy lines and claim victory for your army this morn. Irish Hand and Half Sword - Irish hand and a half sword, a Legacy Arms/Generation 2 design, dating from around 1475 - 1525 A.D. Swords, Knives & Reenactment menu. The hand-and-a-half sword had a longer reach than the so-called short sword, the earlier arming sword, making it significant for a mounted knight fighting against other cavalry and foot soldiers. Blade: 5160 High Carbon Steel. By clicking enter you are verifying that you are old enough to consume alcohol. Longswords vs Two Handed Swords - Arms & Armor Accurate Sword Guide : r/coolguides - reddit Two handed jians from the time of the Chu and Han Dynasty were up to 150cm (58in) long. Functionally, swords become more maneuverable, powerful, and fast when the handle is gripped with two hands. Leather Wrapped Handle. 20-30 Inches (1) 30-40 Inches (6) 40-50 Inches (35) 50-60 Inches (2 . 3 lb. The hand and a half blade is used for thrusting and the length of the blade is not any longer than the long sword. Weapon: A Visual History of Arms and Armor, Williams, G. (2014). [19], What is known of combat with the longsword comes from artistic depictions of battle from manuscripts and the Fechtbcher of Medieval and Renaissance Masters. CAS Hanwei Hand-and-a-Half Sword SH2034 - Amazon.com When pike formations became common on battlefield tactics, ranged weapons proved more effective against pikemen, diminishing the advantages of hand-and-a-half swords. It is uncertain whether the same term could still be used to other types of smaller swords, but antiquarian usage in the 19th century established the use of "bastard sword" as referring unambiguously to these large swords.