Introduction: The Type XVIa has a working life of 1290-1380. This sword typology is broad, flat, and tapers to a sharp, reinforced point. The blade typically measures a minimum of 32 inches in length. The XVIa is a longer version of the Type XVI with a hilt that allows for a one-hand or hand-and-a-half grip. The fuller runs approximately half the length of the blade, and a medial ridge extends the remaining length. The blade is narrower than that of an XVI. The tip is reinforced but does not have a medial ridge. These swords could be used for thrusting or slashing equally effectively. It’s no coincidence that its design could be used successfully against armor with or without plates.

Description: Constructed with a reverse conical pommel, original wooden grips, Oakeshott guard Style 3 type XVIa blade with a wide tapering fuller about 20% of the length of the blade, a beautiful inlay in a copper alloy of a Templar cross within a circle atop a rectangular pavise shaped inlay with decoration in the center.

Dimensions: total length: 46.5, blade 37 inches, guard 9 inches.

Condition: Very good, possibly a tomb find. Conserved to museum standards.

Discussion: The bastard sword developed circa 1250, about 75 to 100 years earlier than the two-hand sword (circa 1325). A bastard sword (called hand-and-a-half sword by Victorian collectors, or Anderthalbhander in German) combines a one-hand and two-hand sword. A bastard sword can be wielded like a one-hand or two-hand sword. It cuts and thrusts with a broad or long double-edged blade. Additional power can be employed by using the pommel and the lower area of the hilt below the pommel as a grip for a two-hand strike to increase the impact and penetration. The term bastard sword was first recorded in France during a duel in the 17th century. In Marc de Vulson‚ 17th-century treatise “Vray Theatre d’Honneur” he describes the weapons used in a duel fought before King Henry II of France in 1549 as follows: Deux epees batardes pouvant server a une main ou a deux (Two bastard swords that can be used with one hand or two) I prefer the term “bastard sword” because this is the original term and not one concocted by the prudish Victorians. Interestingly, the ballock (a vulgar word for testicles) dagger was renamed the kidney dagger around the same time by the same people. Bastard swords first appeared circa 1250 and lasted until circa 1650. They were widely used in Germany and Switzerland and were most prevalent with the cavalry. Hilts varied throughout their evolution.

1) For the same reason, full-metal defensive armor and two-hand swords did not develop until the same period. As furnaces got bigger in Medieval Europe, steel billets (solid steel lengths) increased in size. With bigger steel billets, swords could now be made with fewer (but larger) steel billets, eventually reaching their peak of one billet per sword. Larger furnaces generally meant higher temperatures, better steel, faster production, and probably less expensive to manufacture on a large scale.

2) As armor evolved, its counterpart, the sword, did the same, with larger specialized swords of superior quality and design; this was the weapons race of its day.

Provenance: An old American collection, possibly brought back after WWII.