More information about so called Broa sword

Sidney · 22nd November 2009, 09:47 PM

Hallo

Do you have anybody more information about sword from Broa, Fare island, Gotland? /See below/. I would like to make exact copy of this weapon, but I have only few images. Do you know any citation of literaure, descriptions, pictures etc?

Thanks Sidney

kisak · 24th November 2009, 05:00 AM

The only help I can provide is to point out that "Fare island" should probably be Fårö ("Sheep Island").

Jim McDougall · 25th November 2009, 01:52 AM

Hi Sidney,
Interesting question, and I'm curious....what reference is this photo from? Is there any text describing this weapon, which primarily seems 'Petersen Type I'.

This weapon itself is noted in the holdings of the museum in Stockholm. It would be interesting if they could add more detail.

Here, the site itself evolved from the original forums on Viking swords with Dr. Lee Jones. The book which he helped produce by Ian Pierce titled "Swords of the Viking Age" is a fantastic resource on these swords. Specifically on this exact sword, I have not found other reference as yet. Hopefully those here more familiar with this field might help.

Please tell us more OK?

All the best,
Jim

Jeff Pringle · 25th November 2009, 05:09 PM

The Historiska Museet has done an awesome job digitizing details about some of the items in their collection. It is cool when a museum puts good photos of their collection on line, but the SHM takes it way farther than that. Here is one of the photos of the sword in question -
http://mis.historiska.se/mis/sok/bild.asp?uid=20997
Following the inventory # 19734:36, you can find your way to images of the hand-written collection notes as well as the typed inventory notes and images of the sword and the other items from that grave and that dig. For sword research it is an amazing trove of information.
http://mis.historiska.se/mis/sok/invnr.asp?invnr=19734
Alas, I don’t really read Swedish, but even so it was easy to run down some details on the sword.
Inventory #19734:36
Find place: Gotland, Halla, Broa
Viking period, acquired 1931.
The handwritten notes for the grave describe two swords and one spear etc. .
This is presumably the first sword, described as broken in three parts (“tre delar” in the notes next to the photo).
(photo 1)
L- 102cm
Hilt? L - 17.1cm
Over ? L- 9cm
Under? L- 10.5cm
Blade width – 6.5cm
The other sword is described as having a type H hilt and the drawing shows more breaks (photo 2)

Moving to the Museum’s Iron Age catalog, the grave goods are described differently, the second sword has lost its hilt (photo 3)

This blade has the right inventory #, and is in more pieces so must be the second sword’s blade (photo 4)

The ‘Fig. 11’ mentioned in the museum notes is also in the Järnålderskatalog, and shows a side view of the pommel. (photo 5)

I love this museum!!

Jim McDougall · 25th November 2009, 06:19 PM

Now thats some impressive research!!! Well done Jeff and thank you!
I agree, that museum is fantastic, and its really great to see some interest in these early swords, after all our 'namesake' around here

Viking sword.

Sidney thank you for posting this, and I hope you'll keep us posted on your project.

All best regards,
Jim

fearn · 25th November 2009, 09:27 PM

Hi Sidney,

If you're really interested in making an exact copy, what I'd really suggest doing is going to Stockholm with a caliper micrometer and making plan measurements off the blade. Photos and notes will only go so far, and what you're missing is a three-dimensional description of the piece. The museum may be interested if you're willing to give them a copy of your data, and/or photos of your replica sword. They might find that useful in their educational work.

Albion Swords uses this approach, and you might want to contact them for advice on how to "take the lines" off a museum sword.

Best,

F

25th November 2009, 05:09 PM	#4
Jeff Pringle Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 189	The Historiska Museet has done an awesome job digitizing details about some of the items in their collection. It is cool when a museum puts good photos of their collection on line, but the SHM takes it way farther than that. Here is one of the photos of the sword in question - http://mis.historiska.se/mis/sok/bild.asp?uid=20997 Following the inventory # 19734:36, you can find your way to images of the hand-written collection notes as well as the typed inventory notes and images of the sword and the other items from that grave and that dig. For sword research it is an amazing trove of information. http://mis.historiska.se/mis/sok/invnr.asp?invnr=19734 Alas, I don’t really read Swedish, but even so it was easy to run down some details on the sword. Inventory #19734:36 Find place: Gotland, Halla, Broa Viking period, acquired 1931. The handwritten notes for the grave describe two swords and one spear etc. . This is presumably the first sword, described as broken in three parts (“tre delar” in the notes next to the photo). (photo 1) L- 102cm Hilt? L - 17.1cm Over ? L- 9cm Under? L- 10.5cm Blade width – 6.5cm The other sword is described as having a type H hilt and the drawing shows more breaks (photo 2) Moving to the Museum’s Iron Age catalog, the grave goods are described differently, the second sword has lost its hilt (photo 3) This blade has the right inventory #, and is in more pieces so must be the second sword’s blade (photo 4) The ‘Fig. 11’ mentioned in the museum notes is also in the Järnålderskatalog, and shows a side view of the pommel. (photo 5) I love this museum!! Attached Images

25th November 2009, 09:27 PM	#6
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Hi Sidney, If you're really interested in making an exact copy, what I'd really suggest doing is going to Stockholm with a caliper micrometer and making plan measurements off the blade. Photos and notes will only go so far, and what you're missing is a three-dimensional description of the piece. The museum may be interested if you're willing to give them a copy of your data, and/or photos of your replica sword. They might find that useful in their educational work. Albion Swords uses this approach, and you might want to contact them for advice on how to "take the lines" off a museum sword. Best, F Last edited by fearn; 25th November 2009 at 09:41 PM.

22nd November 2009, 09:47 PM	#1
Sidney Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 12	More information about so called Broa sword Hallo Do you have anybody more information about sword from Broa, Fare island, Gotland? /See below/. I would like to make exact copy of this weapon, but I have only few images. Do you know any citation of literaure, descriptions, pictures etc? Thanks Sidney

24th November 2009, 05:00 AM	#2
kisak Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Stockholm Posts: 182	The only help I can provide is to point out that "Fare island" should probably be Fårö ("Sheep Island").

25th November 2009, 01:52 AM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,945	Hi Sidney, Interesting question, and I'm curious....what reference is this photo from? Is there any text describing this weapon, which primarily seems 'Petersen Type I'. This weapon itself is noted in the holdings of the museum in Stockholm. It would be interesting if they could add more detail. Here, the site itself evolved from the original forums on Viking swords with Dr. Lee Jones. The book which he helped produce by Ian Pierce titled "Swords of the Viking Age" is a fantastic resource on these swords. Specifically on this exact sword, I have not found other reference as yet. Hopefully those here more familiar with this field might help. Please tell us more OK? All the best, Jim

25th November 2009, 06:19 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,945	Now thats some impressive research!!! Well done Jeff and thank you! I agree, that museum is fantastic, and its really great to see some interest in these early swords, after all our 'namesake' around here Viking sword. Sidney thank you for posting this, and I hope you'll keep us posted on your project. All best regards, Jim