3 German 16th Cent Cut n Thrust Swords
Jun 26, 2010 14:59:05 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2010 14:59:05 GMT
Three German 16th Century Swords
Windlass Munich Guards Sword
Windlass Saxon Hilted Sword
V Cervenka Cavalry Sword
Introduction: I was going to do another Napoleonic spread, but I’m still waiting for another package for that one. Mean time I took delivery on a sword I’d ordered last fall from Vladimir Cervenka. That doesn’t exactly qualify as a “budget” acquisition. Looked for something else to satellite off. Couldn’t find an actual write up on the Windlass Munich Guards Sword, nor for the soon to be discontinued Saxon Hilt. So here is a run out of the three of them together as a medley of German oriented cut and thrust weapons.
There are a lot of folks here better qualified to address these period weapons. Based on my previous inputs here I tend to swim in a 19th Cent pond
.
Overview
The Windlass Munich Municipal Guards Sword: A copy of this weapon is in the Wallace Collection. Arms and Armor also makes a copy of this one. The general statistical layout of this sword is pretty good. The Windlass comes in a little heavy with a somewhat overbuilt guard. The original has a three inch point of balance compared to the Windlass 1 inch.
The Windlass Saxon Hilt Sword: This sword is soon to be discontinued. Like a lot of Windlass projects this sword is something of a mongrel. The elements of the sword are derived from several different swords of the period, but nothing like this Windlass seems to appear in the records. The blade is too short compared to similar museum pieces.
V Cervenka Cavalry Sword: This is an elaboration of a Saxon hilted rapier with a half basket guard. These swords existed in mounted service up to the beginning of the 30 Years War.
Components:
The Blade: The two Windlass blades are similar diamond shaped blades. The Munich is slightly shorter and thicker. These are reasonably stiff and tempered blades that will hold a fine edge. The Cervenka blade is 35 inches long. It’s diamond structure is aggressively concaved in grinding to lift weight off the front of the weapon.
The Handle: Typical of the period all three handles are compounded. Each has 3.5 inches of grip below the quillons and several inches of ricasso above them. The Munich has a steel cord wrap over wood. The Saxon Hilt has a hard leather case. The Cervenka uses a two tone metal wrap with Turkish knots on both ends.
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i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx115/kelly1863/German%2016th%20Century%20Swords/GermanCutnThrustSwords021.jpg [/img]
The Guard: The Munich employs large arched quillons, a knuckle bow and half basket fans. The Saxon Hilt has a simple guard of straight quillons ending in balls, a large knuckle ring over the fingers and a small forward ring with a plate. The Cervenka uses east European spaded quillons and a knuckle guard, all encircled in a three twist half basket ring. Cervenka tends to leave the inner surface of his guards unpolished/unfinished. The rough cast look may or may not appeal to you. It has a “grunt” appeal: “this is a war sword” kind of statement.
The Pommel: The Munich has an impressive cylinder. The Saxon Hilt a simpler ball. The Cervenka a diamond sphere.
The Scabbard: Windlass typical plastic or fiber glass sheaths with light metal throats and chapes. The Cervenka uses a fairly substantial bridle leather scabbard with a reinforced leather throat and a leather chape piece. Nicely constructed.
Handling Characteristics: Both of the Windlass swords are substantial at 3.25 lbs. But they are nicely balanced. The hand weight is a bit to move, but the blades are fast and easy to control. Balance wise they don’t feel as heavy as they are. By comparison the Cervenka is amazingly light at under 2.5 lbs. Everything has been ground to shed weight. Even the ricasso is concaved. The sword is fast, balanced and wicked sharpe.
While I don’t like compound hilts generally the two windlass cut and thrusts are quite comfortable and controllable with one finger over the quillon.
According to Norman, the German style tended not to reach over the guard, consequently the thumb ring is more natural when not doing so. However I don’t like the feel of the sword in this manner. With just 3.25 inches of grip the balance just doesn’t seem to be there until you reach over the guard.
Daggers: Both the Windlass and Cervenka daggers are quite good. The all metal look of the Windlass matches up well with all sorts of period swords. The Cervenka 20 inch poingnard is very classy and share the same featherlite character of the sword.
Conclusions:
Pros:
The two Windlass swords are above par outputs for this company. Solid construction and reliable cutting capability.
Excellent balance.
Entry level buy in bargains for the amount of sword you get here.
Cons:
Saxon hilt is ahistorical and short bladed.
Scabbards are low quality. Be carful if you buy sharp. My Saxon Hilt has already bit me once.
The Bottom Line:
I’m really pleased with both of the Windlasses. Seems the cut and thrusters don’t stay in the catalog overlong. I know I missed out on the Windless English last year.
I’m really pleased with the Cervenka. Vladimir is a really nice person to deal with. Didn’t ask for a down payment. Just gave me a date he’d start work. I emailed him just ahead of time to tell him I hadn’t died. He said good he was ready to start work. Sent me three progress reports with pics. Three weeks later he was done. Presented me a bill, which I bank transferred to him. Two weeks later I had the set.
Maybe I’m a bit surprised at just how light this came out for a combat cavalry sword. It actually is an ideal weight for a fencible weapon at 2.5 pounds. I just find that surprising given the amount of body armor still being worn by period cavalry.
Anyway, there you have it. Hope it’s been useful and enjoyable.
Rest of the pics at:
s747.photobucket.com/albums/xx115/kelly1863/German%2016th%20Century%20Swords/?start=all
Windlass Munich Guards Sword
Windlass Saxon Hilted Sword
V Cervenka Cavalry Sword
Introduction: I was going to do another Napoleonic spread, but I’m still waiting for another package for that one. Mean time I took delivery on a sword I’d ordered last fall from Vladimir Cervenka. That doesn’t exactly qualify as a “budget” acquisition. Looked for something else to satellite off. Couldn’t find an actual write up on the Windlass Munich Guards Sword, nor for the soon to be discontinued Saxon Hilt. So here is a run out of the three of them together as a medley of German oriented cut and thrust weapons.
There are a lot of folks here better qualified to address these period weapons. Based on my previous inputs here I tend to swim in a 19th Cent pond
. Overview
The Windlass Munich Municipal Guards Sword: A copy of this weapon is in the Wallace Collection. Arms and Armor also makes a copy of this one. The general statistical layout of this sword is pretty good. The Windlass comes in a little heavy with a somewhat overbuilt guard. The original has a three inch point of balance compared to the Windlass 1 inch.
The Windlass Saxon Hilt Sword: This sword is soon to be discontinued. Like a lot of Windlass projects this sword is something of a mongrel. The elements of the sword are derived from several different swords of the period, but nothing like this Windlass seems to appear in the records. The blade is too short compared to similar museum pieces.
V Cervenka Cavalry Sword: This is an elaboration of a Saxon hilted rapier with a half basket guard. These swords existed in mounted service up to the beginning of the 30 Years War.
Components:
The Blade: The two Windlass blades are similar diamond shaped blades. The Munich is slightly shorter and thicker. These are reasonably stiff and tempered blades that will hold a fine edge. The Cervenka blade is 35 inches long. It’s diamond structure is aggressively concaved in grinding to lift weight off the front of the weapon.
The Handle: Typical of the period all three handles are compounded. Each has 3.5 inches of grip below the quillons and several inches of ricasso above them. The Munich has a steel cord wrap over wood. The Saxon Hilt has a hard leather case. The Cervenka uses a two tone metal wrap with Turkish knots on both ends.
The Guard: The Munich employs large arched quillons, a knuckle bow and half basket fans. The Saxon Hilt has a simple guard of straight quillons ending in balls, a large knuckle ring over the fingers and a small forward ring with a plate. The Cervenka uses east European spaded quillons and a knuckle guard, all encircled in a three twist half basket ring. Cervenka tends to leave the inner surface of his guards unpolished/unfinished. The rough cast look may or may not appeal to you. It has a “grunt” appeal: “this is a war sword” kind of statement.
The Pommel: The Munich has an impressive cylinder. The Saxon Hilt a simpler ball. The Cervenka a diamond sphere.
The Scabbard: Windlass typical plastic or fiber glass sheaths with light metal throats and chapes. The Cervenka uses a fairly substantial bridle leather scabbard with a reinforced leather throat and a leather chape piece. Nicely constructed.
Handling Characteristics: Both of the Windlass swords are substantial at 3.25 lbs. But they are nicely balanced. The hand weight is a bit to move, but the blades are fast and easy to control. Balance wise they don’t feel as heavy as they are. By comparison the Cervenka is amazingly light at under 2.5 lbs. Everything has been ground to shed weight. Even the ricasso is concaved. The sword is fast, balanced and wicked sharpe.
While I don’t like compound hilts generally the two windlass cut and thrusts are quite comfortable and controllable with one finger over the quillon.
According to Norman, the German style tended not to reach over the guard, consequently the thumb ring is more natural when not doing so. However I don’t like the feel of the sword in this manner. With just 3.25 inches of grip the balance just doesn’t seem to be there until you reach over the guard.
Daggers: Both the Windlass and Cervenka daggers are quite good. The all metal look of the Windlass matches up well with all sorts of period swords. The Cervenka 20 inch poingnard is very classy and share the same featherlite character of the sword.
Conclusions:
Pros:
The two Windlass swords are above par outputs for this company. Solid construction and reliable cutting capability.
Excellent balance.
Entry level buy in bargains for the amount of sword you get here.
Cons:
Saxon hilt is ahistorical and short bladed.
Scabbards are low quality. Be carful if you buy sharp. My Saxon Hilt has already bit me once.
The Bottom Line:
I’m really pleased with both of the Windlasses. Seems the cut and thrusters don’t stay in the catalog overlong. I know I missed out on the Windless English last year.
I’m really pleased with the Cervenka. Vladimir is a really nice person to deal with. Didn’t ask for a down payment. Just gave me a date he’d start work. I emailed him just ahead of time to tell him I hadn’t died. He said good he was ready to start work. Sent me three progress reports with pics. Three weeks later he was done. Presented me a bill, which I bank transferred to him. Two weeks later I had the set.
Maybe I’m a bit surprised at just how light this came out for a combat cavalry sword. It actually is an ideal weight for a fencible weapon at 2.5 pounds. I just find that surprising given the amount of body armor still being worn by period cavalry.
Anyway, there you have it. Hope it’s been useful and enjoyable.
Rest of the pics at:
s747.photobucket.com/albums/xx115/kelly1863/German%2016th%20Century%20Swords/?start=all
