Resrearch into Weapons and Armor

[Will Adamson]

http://www.thearma.org/Youth/Whysomanyswords.htm

http://www.thearma.org/spotlight/elements.htm

http://www.thearma.org/essays/How_Were_Swords_Made.htm

I think these are what you're looking for, or at least will open the door to other articles.

[Shane Smith]

This topic while interesting, is off-topic. I have locked it against further posting for that reason. Feel free to start another on historically-accurate swords and their weights and proportions though if that is the kind of information you're after.