Stockholm Seminar & Research Trip

[John_Clements]

The extra width at the forte is visible here, as is the slight truama suffered by the point. The back of the blade was particularly thick and the sharpened edges especially sharp. There was no question the weapon was for two hands, and confortably so, but one handed was still very light, and the thumb ring made a difference.

[John_Clements]

This close up shows the unusual design of the hilt and knuckle-guard.

[John_Clements]

[John_Clements]

This close up shows the unusual design of the hilt and knuckle-guard.

[John_Clements]

Inside the rapier case (!!!) examining an especially long blades early 17th century ring hilt rapier, a splendidly light and stiff piece of thick hexagonal blade cross section tapering toward a rounded oval forte at the point.

[John_Clements]

This was another of the best peices we examined, a 16th century single-hand "wave" or bladed cut & thrust sword, or flammard. This type of blade is known on two-handers and even rapiers, but here was a short sword. It had an unusualy light and small hilt but the blade was very thin edge and quite sharp with a flat but thick center line. There is no question no wthis balde style combines the best elements of straight and curved blades. Truly gorgeous. they were difficult to produce though and are rare as they developed in the last century that swords saw wide use.

[John_Clements]

A close up.

[John_Clements]

We managed to even dig out an authentic poleaxe / bec de corbin, which proved a popular peice to play around with for a bit there in the underground confines of the museum storage. It was surprisingly --very surprisingly so --light and agile for a weapon intended for defeating armor.

[John_Clements]

A rare original spring-activated "sword catcher" dagger.
Heavier than it looks, but very sturdy and still quite operational. No doubts now for us that it could indeed have stopped and trapped a sword cut.

[Guest]

Excellent Photos John! I wish I could have been there! I'm looking forward to meeting some of the scholars from Swedan.
<img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Guest]

You lucky fellow <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />
Wow I've seen pieces among you pictures that could be the quintessential C&amp;T sword I thought was missing.
Is the one C&amp;T handled by Ake a Pappenheimer?
Carlo

[Joachim Nilsson]

Oh my..... <img src="/forum/images/icons/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Looks like I really missed out on something there...

[Guest]

Don't worry, Jocke, the local ARMA people might arrange more visits. The Royal Armoury is pretty welcoming to new students of ancient weapons, so just keep your eyes open. The visit in this thread was a special event for our guest, as we couldn't access the RA last time John was in Stockholm due to the grand opening of an exhibition.

[Joachim Nilsson]

Björn,
really? That would be great! Because... Look at them two-handers. And the pole-axe! And! Mmmmmmmmm....... Old weapons.... *gargle*

[Guest]

One piece you might be interested in is this early 16th C twohanded saber. It's one of my favourites.