Handling Authentic Antique Swords in Swizterland

 

(below)
Bastard-sword c. 1530

Excellent! One of the best swords I have ever handled ever! (including near-perfect katanas from 1540). Very light and balanced. German or Italian. Note finger-rings (annelets) for gripping. (Starting bid at a mere $7000.)

 

(below)
Ring-hilted bastard-sword
c. 1540

Swiss. Very sweet. Light despite its appearing thickness and width. Strangely it had no ricasso and was sharp all its length (perhaps it was later altered).

 

(below)
An extra long
Swiss Katzbalger c. 1500 (?).

In the background are a mishmash of swords from 1600 to 1900 including a "Highlander- esque" ivory katana, a cage-hilt schiavona, and a few Victorian era reproductions. On the shelf are several superb helms from the 1600's (just gathering dust!).

 

(left)
A superb swept-hilt rapier! c. 1580.

Note the diamond-like blade cross-section, you can just about see the riser in the middle. Despite its seeming width it had NO EDGE WHATSOEVER. Very light and quick and comfortable (with what little room I had for play).

(above)
A really nice cup-hilt rapier from c. 1660
This rapier blade is a very narrow but thick triangle shape and very, very rigid. It came to a nasty pencil thin point. It was a very light weapon, quite long and with a thick cup hiding the annelets inside. It was of course, completely edgeless

(right)
An Italian cut &thrust schiavona from c. 1550

A blurry photo (I was too excited) of what is the best sword I have every handled! Incredible! This blade felt like it had been personally made for me. It was long, light, rigid, comfortable, and just beautiful. It is one of only a few surviving pieces with its original ricasso leather binding still intact. It handled superbly (I had much more room here) and still had a keen cutting edge. The hilt was adorned with gold.
(left)
A Swiss true two-hander w/ side rings, c. 1480
Look at the size of this thing! It was nearly 6 feet and had a handle of over 20 inches. Its ricasso and flukes were at least a quarter inch thick steel, and YET it was light! It was under 5 pounds! Extraordinary work to make steel this strong and light. Next to it are two spiked pole-arms.
 
 

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