Questions about the Mortuary Hilt Sword

[Griffion Lau]

http://www.kultofathena.com/images/PC2004_l.jpg

http://www.kultofathena.com/images/SH2004N_l.jpg

Looking at the blade of the sword,is it too narrow to go to the battle fiield for onfoot infantry using?Just like rapiers?

How to use Mortuary Hilt Sword when you were fighting on foot?

Is this belong to a kind of side sword? Can we use it with the methods of side sword?

How were infantry use it in the history?

Is there any method for this sword only [only for on foot soldier,not the cavalry]?

[Alex Bourdas]

The mortuary sword is a type of broadsword, which normally refers to a sword with a basket hilt and a blade broader than those of rapiers, sideswords, smallswords etc. The mortuary sword was used on the battlefield, and saw use in the English Civil War for example.
Look at George Silver's works for how these weapons were most likely used.

[Randall Pleasant]

Griffion L

Per the forum rules we need for you to edit your profile and spell out your last name.

Thanks,

[Jonathan Hill]

A mortuary sword would fit a bit closer with a broadsword system, specifically a basket hilt. In my opinion one defining aspect of the side sword vs a basket hilt is the ability to put the finger over the cross guard. This will allow a bit different play and a better ability to thrust. Thus if I were going to use a Mortuary I would use it a bit closer to a Basket hilt. I find a Schiavona to be closer to the side sword, and a lot better looking.

Hanwei’s side sword - http://www.casiberia.com/prod_Detail.aspx?id=SH2203
Schiavona - http://www.myarmoury.com/images/reviews ... chia_a.jpg

Basket Hilt – http://www.casiberia.com/prod_Detail.aspx?id=SH2059
Mortuary - http://www.casiberia.com/prod_Detail.aspx?id=SH2076

That said the basics for both systems are the same, the finer details of each blade will differ. These differ from a true Rapier as the blade is actually more robust, especially at the base of the blade near the grip. The point is still finer to deliver a solid thrust, and the center of balance is moved out further to add to the cut. I do not know of a method strictly for ‘mortuary hilt’ but it would mostly have been considered a broadsword and used in such a manner.

[Allen Johnson]

A true mortuary hilt is going to have a bit of a wider and longer blade than the Hanwei version you shared. I have this sword and really like it a lot. The blade on it is really closer to a spadroon style than a true Mortuary. It is a good transition weapon between the wider and heavier broadswords and the smaller and non-battle worthy smallswords (by battle worthy I mean that smallswords were not used in large battles- not that it can't be used for self defense). So you can look at some of the older broadsword manuals and incorporate some more forward guards like in Silver's system.