1735) EXCEPTIONAL AND IMPORTANT DECORATED TWO-HAND SWORD CIRCA 1550 MUSEUM QUALITY: This war sword was made for an exceptionally wealthy person who could afford only the absolute best.
Introduction: There is a very big difference between a war sword and a ceremonial or parade sword. Ceremonial/parade swords are primarily intended for religious, court, parades, and other social functions and not for fighting. Ceremonial/parade swords tend to be very large, unbalanced, and heavy and, therefore, difficult to swing. These swords are not utilitarian weapons of war. They were not intended for fighting. Many people incorrectly think two-hand war swords are heavy. The truth is they are not. A fighting two-hand fighting sword typically weighs anywhere from five to seven pounds. Ceremonial/parade swords are much heavier because they are carried for display and for a short period of time. Fighting two-hand swords have a sleek design, which removes all unnecessary weight (i.e., fuller on the blade). They are balanced with a large pommel (counterweight) and are powered by the perfectly aligned muscles of the knights swinging them from years of training. Coordinating body weight into the strike is of paramount importance for maximum penetration, control, and impact. Most battles lasted hours. If swords were heavy and/or incorrectly balanced, it would be almost impossible for anyone to continue to swing their sword for that long a period of time.
Discussion: A two-hand sword, by definition, is a sword designed to be used with two hands for maximum effectiveness. Styles of swords can vary by nationality. Two-hand swords were widespread both in the field and in the lists from the mid-15th to the early 17th century. However, from the latter part of the 16th century, they increasingly tended to be employed in ceremonial and parade rolls. Two-hand swords did not develop until about the same period as plate armor. As furnaces got bigger in Medieval Europe, steel billets (solid blocks of steel) accordingly increased in size. With bigger billets, swords could now be made with fewer (but larger) homogeneous steel billets, eventually reaching the peak of one billet per sword. Larger furnaces generally meant higher temperatures, which, combined with homogeneous billets, would result in better steel, steel strong enough to create bigger, stronger blades. It has been suggested that the earliest references to the use of the two-hand sword are those found in a French copy of the Romance of Alexander of about 1180, which mentions a “bone espée a II espieus molus,” and in the chronicle of Guillaume Guiart, written in the period 1304-1307, which notes that the French, when fighting the Germans in 1264, had to adjust their tactics “Car les deux mains en haute levées/ Giètent d’unes longues espées.” More certain evidence of the use of the two-hand sword is provided by Jean Froissart (1337–1410), who, when writing his chronicles of the year 1358, noted that the Canon de Robesart “tenoit une espée a II mains, dont il donnoit les horions si grands que nul les osoit attendre,” while Bertrand du Guesclin (circa 1320- 1380) recorded in his chronicle that Oliver de Manny carried “d’une espée a II mains” (J. Hewitt, Ancient Armour and Weapons, Vol. II, London, 1855, p. 256).
Description: Masterfully chiseled hilt. Featuring the Virgin and Child Jesus on the pommel with St Joseph and numerous apostles, including: St Paul. St Peter, St Andrew, St Mark throughout the hilt. The hilt is constructed with swelling tips ending in circular quillon tips, two quillon rings swelling at the center, a reverse conical pommel, a thick, straight two-sided blade with a strong taper at the tip, a false edge extending about two-thirds the length of the blade, a deep fuller, original or working-life leather grip, and a makers mark at the rectangular ricasso and a Passau wolf on each side of the blade.
Approximate length: 48.35 inches.
Conclusion: This war sword masterpiece is in superb, 100% original condition. Collectors love two-hand fighting swords like this one; they are rare… big… elegant…. easy to display, and … make a powerful statement. This sword is as beautiful as any processional sword; however, it was conceived as a weapon of war for a noble or person of great wealth. It’s a great addition to any major collection or museum. The owner priced it to sell quickly. This is a rare opportunity to own an important piece of Medieval/Renaissance military history. ACT NOW- Swords like this seldom are available in the collectors market!!!*