Highly Recommended: an English Site on Early Swords

Jim McDougall · 26th June 2009, 02:50 PM

Matchlock and Cornelis, I must apologize for having missed these entries entirely! What interesting links, and indeed a fascinating topic. The misinformation and romanticization regarding arms in medieval and Renaissance times is often unbelievable. I dont think people really think in terms of weight when they use carelessly placed exaggerations to elevate or embellish stories. I have always thought the one about knights being hoisted into thier saddles with block and tackle due to the weight of the armour a classic example.

Since these links were obviously placed here to generate discussion, I hope I might add something.

I recall some years ago, I was trying to help an author writing a novel placed in 17th century Scotland, who was admirably making an effort to accurately research a storied sword of a factual local hero. It was said that this larger than life hero had a huge sword, presumably a claymore (two hander, not the also later so designated basket hilt), which had a remarkable feature in a sliding weight on the blade. Allegedly, this was a TEN pound weight mounted
on a rod that would slide to the end of the blade as the sword was swung to add force to its cut.

I recall trying to imagine these incredible dynamics, and no matter how strong the man, the heft of one of these huge swords, without a heavy sliding weight, would seem hard to hold onto. I recall illustrations of one of our family's clansmen standing holding one of these, which is actually taller than he is. Even as I recall in fencing many years ago, it was required that one exercised a great deal before actual use of the sword, as even the light sabres became very heavy quickly in combat as strength was spent.

I was never able, as far as I can recall, to establish any real instances of sliding weights on sword blades, which apparatus would seem to dramatically impair the effectiveness of the blade. It seemed possible that some of the bizarre innovations of I believe 18th century, where supposedly mercury was encapsulated within a blade to promote the weight distribution concept. This seemed another idea that 'looked good on paper' only.
There were the Oriental slotted blades ('tears of the wounded') in which small bearings (pearls) actually moved within the slots, but these were more for parade or ceremonial use and the moving bearing for sound effects.

I believe the actual outcome of the search was, as expected, simply a claymore with typically large blade, but no rod and sliding weight, and the myth remained just that.

I hope others might bring in examples of unusual or dramatic weight or features from literature that might be interesting in this intriguing topic.

All the best,
Jim

26th June 2009, 02:50 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Matchlock and Cornelis, I must apologize for having missed these entries entirely! What interesting links, and indeed a fascinating topic. The misinformation and romanticization regarding arms in medieval and Renaissance times is often unbelievable. I dont think people really think in terms of weight when they use carelessly placed exaggerations to elevate or embellish stories. I have always thought the one about knights being hoisted into thier saddles with block and tackle due to the weight of the armour a classic example. Since these links were obviously placed here to generate discussion, I hope I might add something. I recall some years ago, I was trying to help an author writing a novel placed in 17th century Scotland, who was admirably making an effort to accurately research a storied sword of a factual local hero. It was said that this larger than life hero had a huge sword, presumably a claymore (two hander, not the also later so designated basket hilt), which had a remarkable feature in a sliding weight on the blade. Allegedly, this was a TEN pound weight mounted on a rod that would slide to the end of the blade as the sword was swung to add force to its cut. I recall trying to imagine these incredible dynamics, and no matter how strong the man, the heft of one of these huge swords, without a heavy sliding weight, would seem hard to hold onto. I recall illustrations of one of our family's clansmen standing holding one of these, which is actually taller than he is. Even as I recall in fencing many years ago, it was required that one exercised a great deal before actual use of the sword, as even the light sabres became very heavy quickly in combat as strength was spent. I was never able, as far as I can recall, to establish any real instances of sliding weights on sword blades, which apparatus would seem to dramatically impair the effectiveness of the blade. It seemed possible that some of the bizarre innovations of I believe 18th century, where supposedly mercury was encapsulated within a blade to promote the weight distribution concept. This seemed another idea that 'looked good on paper' only. There were the Oriental slotted blades ('tears of the wounded') in which small bearings (pearls) actually moved within the slots, but these were more for parade or ceremonial use and the moving bearing for sound effects. I believe the actual outcome of the search was, as expected, simply a claymore with typically large blade, but no rod and sliding weight, and the myth remained just that. I hope others might bring in examples of unusual or dramatic weight or features from literature that might be interesting in this intriguing topic. All the best, Jim