Rather than restricting its use to either one or two hands, it allows for both types of wielding. Historical terminology overlaps with that applied to the Zweihnder sword in the 16th century: French espadon, Spanish espadn, or Portuguese montante may also be used more narrowly to refer to these large swords. Hand-and-a-half swords had long grips that permitted the use of the second hand. So, what exactly is a hand-and-a-half sword? Properties. Scabbard. Fully functional medieval battle ready sword. . [8] The German langes schwert ("long sword") in 15th and 16th-century manuals does not denote a type of weapon, but the technique of fencing with both hands at the hilt, contrasting with kurzes schwert ("short sword") used of fencing with the same weapon, but with one hand gripping the blade (also known as a half-sword).[11][12]. The two terms are largely equivalent to "unarmoured fighting" (blossfechten) and "armoured fencing" (fechten im harnisch). 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. The Cold Steel Kris series, which includes a sword and dagger, is something we hope all . The Spartan version was typically only 3045 centimetres. [49] Modern versions of the katana are sometimes made using non-traditional materials and methods. Benefits of Using a Hand-and-a-Half-Sword. The khopesh is an ancient Egyptian curved short sword with a length of approx. At only 7 inches long, the guard appears a bit small for a sword of this size, but again, it's true to the original design. . 4 European Single Hand-and-a-half Sword. Most longswords were made between the mid-14th century and the mid-16th century, and most of these measure approximately 120-150 cm overall (100-120 cm blade length) and weigh an average 1.5 kg. These long-gripped weapons were ideal for thrusting at small gaps in armor when the typical slashing sword could not chop through it. The hanger (obs. 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. All these newly introduced or redefined terms add to the confusion of the matter. They had handles of roughly 17 to 25 centimeters (7 to 10 inches), excluding pommels, and weighed about 3 to 4 pounds. Peso g 1400 . Optimized for armored combat, their blades were steeply pointed, suggesting that their primary function was to pierce armor. On the other hand, the term hand-and-a-half tends to describe later types of longswords with sharply tapering blades and specially shaped grips widely used in the 15th and 16th centuries. The 1410 manuscript by Fiore dei Liberi presents a variety of uses for the longsword. As such, warriors using the hand-and-a-half sword were given more options. There is no historical Italian equivalent to the English word "rapier". Ewart Oakeshott classified medieval swords into types, focusing on their blade type, pommel, and crossguard designs. "arming sword", "broadsword", "long sword", etc.) 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 . Hand-and-a-half swords were carried in scabbards attached to waist belts, though some sources mention swords being carried in rings welded directly to the skirt of a harness. 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 It remained in use as a weapon of war intended for wielders wearing full plate armour either on foot or on horseback, throughout the late medieval period. 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. A sword with a single hand grip length but longsword blade length The so called "hand and a half" swords Longswords/Greatswords that could be effectively used one handed but were usually used with both making it hard to describe as strictly a one hander or two hander J Jonathon Belt Joined Aug 20, 2011 Messages 40 Aug 14, 2013 #8 Pal. Hand-and-a-half swords can be used with one or both hands as needed in combat. Half-swording (German halbschwert) refers to the technique of gripping the middle of the blade with the left hand to better control the tip of the sword. Type XVIIIb blades are slender, comparable to XVa blades but longer, measuring between 90 and 107cm, with a correspondingly longer grip, often waisted for comfortable two-handed use. probably German. The hand-and-a-half swords had long, slender blades and sharp points that could penetrate the gaps in the opponents armor. More . HAND AND A HALF SWORD. The English language terminology used in the classification of swords is imprecise and has varied widely over time. 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. In the years to follow, however, the sword later became known as a "bastard sword." The basket hilt is a development of the quillons added to swords' crossguards since the Late Middle Ages. Print ; $299-$141. The specific term used to describe these swords in period varied by region as listed above. [5]:133[15] The medieval longsword could include the earlier grete war swords, hand-and-a-half or bastard swords, and estocs. The hand-and-a-half sword was a balanced weapon that enabled one to use it with one or both hands. Hans Talhoffer, a mid-15th-century German fightmaster, is probably the most prominent, using a wide variety of moves, most resulting in wrestling. [19] There are also larger two-handed versions used by ancient and medieval armies and for training by many styles of Chinese martial arts. This hand-and-half sword has a sharpened, darkened 1065 high carbon steel blade with an extra-wide tang. The hand-and-a-half sword had a size between a one-handed sword and a two-handed sword. Landesbib. The longsword is characterized not so much by a longer blade, but by a longer grip, which indicates a weapon designed for two-handed use. This versatility was unique, as multiple works hold that the longsword provided the foundations for learning a variety of other weapons including spears, staves, and polearms. When wielded one-handed, they can be paired with a shield for extra defense. Dual Tempered HRc 60 48-50 at the core Fittings : Mild Steel Blade Thickness: 1.34 mm Total Length: 45 . These swords are distinctly made for use in one or two hands and have the grip length and reach to be used as longswords as described in the material fromthe Liechtenauer tradition and Fiore de Libre. [2] Navigation menu . [5]:130 These all seem to have originated in Bavaria and in Switzerland. [citation needed], The small sword or smallsword (also court sword or dress sword, French: pe de cour)[citation needed] is a light one-handed sword designed for thrusting[citation needed] which evolved out of the longer and heavier rapier of the late Renaissance. Theme by Safe As Milk. 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. Blade Length: 107.3 cm (42 1/4 in.) Hand-and-a-Half Sword. The term hand and . With long tapering double-edged blade of flattened diamond section cut with two shallow fullers forming a low medial ridge over its entire length on each side, and incised with an indistinct crucifix mark on both sides towards the forte, long waisted ricasso with a pair of small pointed . 100-122 cm (39-48 in) Width. Learn more about the history and use of the hand-and-a-half sword and how it compares to other medieval swords. [17]:plate 58 Some manuals even depict the cross as a hammer. The long grip gives the wielder plenty of leverage to maneuver the sword quickly and to strike decisively. Therein the basics of combat were described and, in some cases, depicted. On the other hand, the hand-and-a-half swords were often used alone. They represent larger versions of type XII and type XIII swords which were the standard. It's not technically intended to be used with one and a half hands -- that doesn't make sense. [26] Instead, the energy of the cut becomes essentially pure concussive energy. The hand could grip above or below the half-grip, or directly at the middle. In later usage, 'cutlass' referred to the short naval boarding sabre. The longsword has many names in the English language, which, aside from variant spellings, include terms such as "bastard sword" and "hand-and-a-half sword." Hand-and-a-half swords varied in their blade length, usually ranging from 88 to 100 centimeters (35 to 40 inches). Furthermore, there is a deprecation of the term "broadsword" by these associations. The Spartiats were always armed with a xiphos as a secondary weapon. Leather / Wood Scabbard with Steel Fittings. They run 3 pounds plus, but you wonder how much of that weight is in the basket hilt, etc.? 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. . Most long swords were double edged. Today, the two terms are used interchangeably, with some people referring to as a hand-and-a-half sword and others calling it a bastard sword. 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). [8] During the first half of the 20th century, the term "bastard sword" was used regularly to refer to this type of sword.[9]. We will never share your information with anybody else cross our hearts, hope to die, stick a sharp sword in our (ok, this just got a little silly). 55413 United States. Codified systems of fighting with the longsword existed from the later 14th century, with a variety of styles and teachers each providing a slightly different take on the art. According to the book titled "Exhibition of the Royal House of Tudo," hand-and-a-half sword is a relatively new term that just recently appeared beginning in the latter half of the 19th century. A longsword typically features a blade with a length of approximately 33 to 41 inches (85 to 110 cm). They have a 2 inch guard width and 0.24 inch guard thickness. Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more , The 4 Key Elements of a High-Quality Traditional Japanese Sword. Shes particularly interested in the rise and fall of empires, accounts of war and conquest, and ancient and classical history. Today, replicas have high-carbon steel blades, though the ones used in stage combat and reenactment have blunt edges. The basket-hilted sword is a sword type of the early modern era characterised by a basket-shaped guard that protects the hand. Venezia, fine secolo XV. A longsword (also spelled long sword, long-sword) is a type of European sword characterized as having a cruciform hilt with a grip for two handed use and a straight double-edged blade of around 100 to 122 cm (39 to 48 in . Its French name pe btarde implies a sword of uncertain origin or an irregular sword. Like the German manuals, the weapon is most commonly depicted and taught with both hands on the hilt. Top is some kind of dress sword, bottom is cavalry saber? The evolution of these swords and how they were used was a dynamic and vigorous interplay of weapons and armor development with the keenest minds of martial combat striving to define the new environment of plate armor and longsword. Most swords are intended for use either one or two hands. (M. Rector, Ed. 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. The weapon may be held with one hand during disarmament or grappling techniques. This is very popular . Hand-and-a half varieties typically have a blade length between 30 and 34 inches and weigh between 2 and 4 pounds. This type of sword had a thickened back to the blade (opposite the cutting edge), which gave the blade strength. Length: 115 cm Weight: 1.4 kg Acquisition and important dates Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1933-03-16) by Henderson, James Stewart Dating 13th/14th Century Circa 1250 CE - 1350 CE Note The guard is also cast of the same extremely hard stainless steel alloy. Jian (simplified Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: jin; Cantonese: gim) is a double-edged straight sword used during the last 2,500 years in China. By clicking enter you are verifying that you are old enough to consume alcohol. [53] The term 'falchion' may also refer to the early cutlass. Some of these terms originate contemporaneously with the weapons which they describe. Two-handed swords, on the other hand, are long and heavy, making them particularly effective at dealing critical blows. Types XVIIIb and XVIIIc represent the later longswords of the mid-15th to early 16th centuries. Honestly, your best bet for undestanding the dimensions of a historically accurate sword would be to have a look at museum pieces and moder.