Crusader Sword, Haifa coast II, 12thC
Reconstruction of the Possible Crusader's sword found in the sea near Haifa, 1100-1200.
The sword had been retrieved from the sea in 2021 by a diver and was fully covered with sea growths. Thanks to the provided data and X-ray photos, it was possible to determine the original appearance of the sword, although only the process of conservation and future analyzes will guarantee certainty as to the original parameters of the sword.
My reconstruction was based on certain compromises (related to obvious limitations) and on analogous examples of swords with similar proportions and from this period.
So, this is my second interpretation of this sword.
Interpretation
Due to new data and analogies that I had the opportunity to study, this version of the reconstruction of this find is slightly different from my first one. The sword is heavier due to changes in several parameters. This weight is normal among this type of swords and the heaviest of them weigh over 1600g (more on this in one of my articles). The blade is wider (51mm instead of 48mm) and the fuller is slightly narrower. Thanks to this, the blade is very stiff and provides really strong cuts, also from the horse's back. However, the pommel is slightly thinner (4mm) according to my conclusions from the analysis of the photos. I'm not 100% sure about every parameter, but this version fits perfectly into the examples of analogous swords, with the exception of the crossguard which is one of the longest we know with this type of the sword (310mm).
Measurements:
total length 1048mm
bladse length 895mm
blade width 51mm
blade thickness (base) 5mm
grip 95mm
crossguard 310mm
pommel 56x51x33mm
balance 135mm
weight 1570g