Museum Quality 13th Century Medieval Sword
Designed by John Barnett
The swords of the 12th and 13th centuries had not changed overly much, predominately having straight cruciform guards, circular pommels and straight, slightly tapering double edged blades.
By the year 1300 defensive body armour had improved quite dramatically, plate armour defences were being combined with chain-mail on the arms, torso and legs and improved swords were needed to combat these new armours. Traditionally straight sword guards now begin to be down turned at the ends and blades now develop into very sharp pointed elongated triangular shapes.
These swords had superior handling characteristics as the lack of weight toward the tip allowed for free movement and the sharp point made it easier to connect a thrust with the less well armoured areas of an opponent.
It is in this period that we can see swords developing to such an extent that new techniques of sword combat are now possible.
All swords in the John Barnett collection have EN45 sprung steel blades and guard and pommel pieces are always in steel unless brass or bronze are specified, hand grips are of oak wood over very broad strong tangs
The John Barnett collection are all museum quality pieces with their own distinct look and feel.
The sword weighs approx 1.8kg
and measures approx 39 1/4" (997mm).
The handle grip is 3 1/4" (83mm)
The blade measures approx 830mm
and is approx 2 1/4" (56mm) wide at the widest point
