2065 Bastard Sword
2065) A Fine German or Austrian Bastard Sword Circa 1550 With A Complex Guard:
Introduction: This sword is an excellent representation of a complex Renaissance “developed hilt” for a bastard sword. The hilt offers substantial hand protection at a time when the steel gauntlet was quickly falling out of vogue. Almost certainly this is the typology of hilt that Sir John Smithe referred to in his publication: Instructions, Observations and Orders Militarie, in 1591.
Description: This sword is constructed with a complex hilt. Under the Norman typology, this would be a Hilt 43 (used from 1550 to 1630) with a type 51 pommel, which is an equilateral polygonal pommel, vertically recurved quillons with tips en suite with the pommel, a short rectangular ricasso; this typology of hilt consists of a pair of quillons supporting a side ring, with arms and a second, and thumb guard defense. Triple defensive rings with gutter decoration in the center of each ring. These metal loops form a rudimentary basket hilt, designed specifically to protect the wielder’s knuckles and fingers from sliding enemy blades during close-quarters binding or thrusting.
A rectangular-shaped quillon block decorated with two gutters; the blade is double-edged, with flattened hexagonal sections tapering to a sharp point; possibly original wood with a rope and working-life leather grip with a classic anatomical two-stage hock bottle wooden grip. It tapers slightly towards the pommel.
Condition: This is a fine sword that is in condition B. If this sword were in (A) mint museum condition, it would be selling for three times the asking price.
Approximate length: 46 inches.
Provenance: A European collection.
Discussion: This is a true war bastard sword that can be wielded with one or two hands. A bastard (or hand and a half sword as later called by Victorian collectors or Anderthalbhander in German) is a combination of a short two-handed sword that can be wielded like a one-handed sword. It cuts and thrusts with a broad or long double-edged blade. Additional power can be employed by using the pommel and the related lower area of the hilt below the pommel as a grip for a two-hand strike to increase impact and penetration.
The term “bastard sword” is first recorded in France during a 17th-century duel. In Marc de Vulson’s 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” since this is the original term and not one concocted by the Victorians. It’s interesting to note that the ballock dagger (a vulgar word for testicles) was renamed the kidney dagger around the same time. They first appeared circa 1250 until circa 1650. They were widely used in Germany and Switzerland, but more prevalent towards the end with the Central European Cavalry.
Hilts varied throughout their evolution. Until circa 1550, most hilts on German bastard swords were cruciform in shape, with some having S-shaped guards. After circa 1550, some hilts became more elaborate. From approximately 1550, Swiss bastard sword hilts featured recurved quillons, knuckle guards, and ring guards. Blades were slightly curved, having developed somewhat from the Swiss saber (Schweizersabel). Prior to c1250 and the development of the bastard sword, swords were designed as arming swords with their use limited to one-handed use. Since they were knightly weapons, they were frequently used from horseback.
Sword length during this period varied from approximately 35 to 40 inches; after c. 1250, length increased to approximately 45 to 55 inches. So why did it take until the early 1300s for the bastard sword to flourish?
Primarily, there are two significant reasons:
1) For the same reason, full metal defensive armor and two-handed swords did not develop until the same period. As furnaces grew larger in medieval Europe, billets of steel (a solid length of steel) grew accordingly. With bigger billets, swords could now be made with fewer (but larger) billets of steel. Eventually reaching the apex of one billet per sword. Larger furnaces generally meant higher temperatures, better steel, faster production, and probably lower manufacturing costs on a large-scale basis.
2) As the master armorer evolved defensive armor, his counterpart, the swordsmith, did the same with larger and more specialized swords of superior quality and design. This was the weapons race of its day.
Conclusion: All collectors love bastard swords. I believe every collection should have at least one; it’s in the true spirit of the Medieval and Renaissance periods.
This sword is priced very reasonably to be sold immediately. From a novice collector to the most discriminating aficionado will recognize that, dollar for dollar, this is a great value. ACT NOW and avoid disappointment!!!*
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