Hand and a half sword 14th/15th century
 

Dear sword enthusiasts,

I am pleased to be able to show you this sword. It most likely comes from what is now the southeastern region of Germany. On both sides of the blade, an inlaid mark in the shape of a key can be seen.

Am I right to date the sword to the 2nd half of the 14th century?

Does anyone know that mark?

Overall length: 108 cm
Blade: 84.5 cm
Blade width: 4.5 cm
Handle: 17.3 cm
Guard: 23.5 cm
Pommel: 4.8 cm

Kind regards
Andreas

13th century, Ewart Oakeshott would list it as a type XIIa

A&A is associated with the Oakeshott institute and lists the spike type guards earlier, albeit the XIIa form starting when blades got longer.



Cheers
GC

from The Sword in the Age of Chivalry

Thank you for the detailed feedback!

In one of Ewart Oakeshott’s books, a very similar sword is illustrated as XIIIa–11—also dated quite early.
All due respect to Oakeshott, but are these pieces really that old? Yes, the pointed cross-guard already appeared among the Vikings, but to my knowledge it continued in use well into the 15th century. The pommel shape, however, seems to me to be clearly later than the 12th or 13th century. It would be great to find a contemporary depiction—that would shed much more light on the matter.

Best regards
Andreas

This sword comes to mind

https://myarmoury.com/review_aa_bohemian.php


There are galleries and articles still there

https://myarmoury.com/feature_spotxii.html

Cheers
GC