1827) VIKING SWORD TYPE K IN THE PETERSEN TYPOLOGY 9TH to 10TH CENTURY: This sword, under the Wheeler typology is a type VI. It’s a superb example of a central or eastern Viking sword , which was buried with its owner and burned! Very reasonably priced at under $4,500 for a quick sale!
Description: Constructed with a wide blade made of hammered metal which extends over the whole blade and into the tang. The sword features an elegant, seven-lobed copper alloy pommel. The guard has a downward-turned looped tip, with a design of X’s over O’s in relief between looped tips.
Conservation method: The sword was conserved using a European method that involved a mixture of 5% tannin (also known as tannic acid) and 95% proof alcohol. Tannin is a naturally occurring compound inside grape skins, seeds, and stems. Tannin’s primary uses include tanning leather, dyeing fabric, wine preservation, and various medical applications.
In the final step, the entire sword was immersed in a hot beeswax mixture consisting of 40% wax and 60% paraffin. Paraffin is a waxy, crystalline substance obtained from wood, coal, petroleum, or shale oil distillates. It is primarily used in coating and sealing candles, rubber compounding, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and cosmetics production.
The brass retains its original patina; it was cleaned with a light brush.
Total approximate length: 30.25 inches.
Condition: Good.
Discussion: Viking sword making can attribute its superiority to other European swords of its ‚ time because of Eastern superior steel producing techniques. Contrary to popular belief, pattern-welding is relatively rare in Viking-period swords; when it is found, it is very often confined only to the sword’s medial core with separate steel edges applied at each side that were hardened by differential heat treatment. Differential heat treatment is a process in which only the blade’s edges are carbonized/steeled, and the center remains low carbon.
The vast majority of Viking swords were made in bloomery furnaces. A bloomery furnace produces bloomery iron, also known as wrought iron , which at the time could not obtain a temperature higher (hotter) than 1200°C. The easiest way to convert bloomery iron into usable steel is to (1) heat it, (2) quench it (cool it) in water, (3) then carefully select the hardest pieces, and (4) forge them together. This process, however, is slow and tedious.
A master swordsmith would use brittle steel and soft iron to create the perfect sword. The techniques involved in converting iron ore into a usable metal have been known in Europe, the Orient, and Asia since ancient Roman times. Steel is made by adding minuscule amounts of carbon to iron. This amount is usually about half a percent (.5%). It is added by heating the iron in charcoal. A carbon content of about .5% (the norm for Medieval/Renaissance armor and swords) is about three to three-and-a-half times as hard as iron.
The carbon content can still be increased, if desired, by the following: A) Heat the steel to a cherry red (about 800°C); the steel will lose its magnetism. B) The moment the metal can no longer attract a magnet, it’s at its perfect peak to reharden. C) Rehardening is done by quickly quenching in water. On the surface, harder steel might appear to be a good thing; however, harder steel is more brittle and breaks more easily.
The Vikings traveled where other Western Europeans did not. For example, they traveled to the Black and Caspian Seas via rivers. Their trade route to Iran was via Sweden. The Vikings were so successful that they are credited with helping establish the Kingdom of Kiev in 864 CE, which served as the nucleus from which medieval Russia developed.
The Vikings traveled to improve their lives through trade. It has been suggested in recent times that certain techniques used in Eastern countries and learned (or imported billets) by Viking traders in the Far East produced a pure slag-free metal. In the past, the science of early metallurgy was developed using Western examples of metal tools and weapons. They were based on Western European examples and research. Only in recent years have more examples from the East become readily available for study and research, which could contradict what we currently know.
Provenance: This example, by tradition, comes from a European collection that was established after World War II. However, given its good condition and typology, it may have been found in Central or Eastern Europe.
Conclusion: In my opinion, this is a lot of sword for very little money. An excellent item for any collection of antiquities or anybody looking for an exceptional conversation piece for their home or office. If this sword could only speak, the incredible stories it could tell.
Good Viking swords are getting harder and harder to find. ACT NOW. This one should sell very… very… quickly. I believe you will be very pleased!!!*
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