German sword & scabbard, 14thC
German one handed sword with scabbard.
Dating
The sword and scabbard was inspired by 14th century original finds and based on historical sources.
Sword
Hexagonal cross-section makes the blade strong and stiff. We know many original swords with this type of cross-section and many of them is connected with Germany. Also, the color set (steel, golden pommel and black grip) is also characteristic for German style of 14th century. That type of crossguard is very popular for 13th and 14th century European swords, we can see it also in I:33 manuscript and many other sources, almost to the end of 15th century.
Handle has four risers and two of them is placed in the center that makes the handling more comfortable. This is also the detail known from original 14th/15th century finds and medieval art.
Golden pommel made with copper alloy in this classic form is also very popular in this period.
Sword is well balanced according to original swords.
Scabbard & belting
The classic medieval form of scabbard is decorated with a bunch of motifs taken from some few 4th century original scabbards of swords and knives. All tooling is hand-made without any stamps or templates.
Core of the scabbard was made with Alder wood and covered with cowhide.
That particular type of off-set belting system with fittings is popular between circa 1250 and 1350, we can find it mostly in Western and Central European medieval sources (effigies, manuscripts, sculptures and finds).
Color set for belts and scabbard (ox-blood, gold and black) is typical especially for German style of 14th and 15th century (example sources from Marburg, Naumburg...). We can see many characteristic details of how those belts are attached on the scabbard and we will find them in medieval art as well as elements of this fittings set.
Measurements:
total length 980mm
bladse length 820mm
blade width 55mm
grip 98mm
balance ca. 115mm
weight ca. 1250g