A Search for Lady Vivamus.
Mar 17, 2008 2:05:58 GMT
Post by alvin on Mar 17, 2008 2:05:58 GMT
I have recently begun to read Robert Heinlein’s GLORY ROAD for the umpteen time. While my oldest son says it’s “weird and hippy”, I have found it to be very entertaining, especially in my older years. Having come of age during the “hippy era”, I tend to believe that the book has a beatnik slant. But there is lots of action and sword play.
One aspect of the story, and with a prominent place, is the sword Lady Vivamas used by Oscar, the hero of the story. Oscar named the sword from the motto appearing on the blade - DUM VIVIMUS, VIVAMUS – While we live, let us live. He describes the sword as “ A saber, I suppose as the blade was faintly curved….and sharp rather far back on the back. But it had a point as deadly as a rapier and the curve was not enough to keep it from being used for thrust and counter quite as well as chopping away meat-axe style. The guard was a bell curved back around the knuckles into a semi-basket….” Heinlein went on to say that “ It balanced in the forte less that two inches from the guard, yet the blade was heavy enough to chop bone. “
I have wanted a replica of this sword for a number of years. A few years ago Albion Swords offered a Limited Edition Recreation Project Lady Vivamus. But with a price tag of $2,775.00 US, it was a little more than I was willing, or able, to spend at the time. They are apparently no longer being produced.
www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/late/sword-lady-vivamus.htm
Here is a photo
And the specs
Lady Vivamus
Overall length: 42" (106 cm)
Blade length: 35.25" (89.5 cm)
Blade width (at bell): 1.375"
PoB: 3.75" from Guard (9.53 cm)
CoP: 23" from Guard (58.4 cm)
Weight: 2.75 lbs (1.25 kilos)
In my quest for a replica of this sword, I ran across a letter, dated June 8, 1981, in which Heinlein said that Lady Vivamus was his Navy dress sword with a 31 inch blade that had been worn by his brother before him. I assume that this was a Model 1852 Navy officer’s sword. I am sure that Jonathan Hopkins can help with this.
Here is a photo of a Navy Officer’s Sword
Heinlein’s letter would seem to make my quest easier, except that the Navy dress sword appears to fall short of the description of Lady Vivamus given in the book. It does not have a bell-shaped guard, at least as I understand it, and it’s light blade can hardly be described as being heavy enough “ to chop bone “ when “ chopping away meat-axe style”. The Albion Swords version appears to be much closer to the book’s description except that the POB is 2 inches further down the blade. Plus, it’s no longer available and very expensive.
Any suggestions, anyone, on where I might look without going custom? I am considering purchasing a blade which has a similar configuration as the Albion and attaching a bell type guard, either purchased somewhere or newly manufactured. Perhaps a blade from a German made cavalry sword if I can find one on eBay at a good price? At times I’ve seen guards from British 1912 Officer’s Cavalry Swords sold on eBay at a fairly inexpensive price. Any ideas on blades/guards?
I do have some skill and tools, and it’ll probably be fun. I may end up spending too much going this route, but anyone think it’s possible?
One aspect of the story, and with a prominent place, is the sword Lady Vivamas used by Oscar, the hero of the story. Oscar named the sword from the motto appearing on the blade - DUM VIVIMUS, VIVAMUS – While we live, let us live. He describes the sword as “ A saber, I suppose as the blade was faintly curved….and sharp rather far back on the back. But it had a point as deadly as a rapier and the curve was not enough to keep it from being used for thrust and counter quite as well as chopping away meat-axe style. The guard was a bell curved back around the knuckles into a semi-basket….” Heinlein went on to say that “ It balanced in the forte less that two inches from the guard, yet the blade was heavy enough to chop bone. “
I have wanted a replica of this sword for a number of years. A few years ago Albion Swords offered a Limited Edition Recreation Project Lady Vivamus. But with a price tag of $2,775.00 US, it was a little more than I was willing, or able, to spend at the time. They are apparently no longer being produced.
www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/late/sword-lady-vivamus.htm
Here is a photo
And the specs
Lady Vivamus
Overall length: 42" (106 cm)
Blade length: 35.25" (89.5 cm)
Blade width (at bell): 1.375"
PoB: 3.75" from Guard (9.53 cm)
CoP: 23" from Guard (58.4 cm)
Weight: 2.75 lbs (1.25 kilos)
In my quest for a replica of this sword, I ran across a letter, dated June 8, 1981, in which Heinlein said that Lady Vivamus was his Navy dress sword with a 31 inch blade that had been worn by his brother before him. I assume that this was a Model 1852 Navy officer’s sword. I am sure that Jonathan Hopkins can help with this.
Here is a photo of a Navy Officer’s Sword
Heinlein’s letter would seem to make my quest easier, except that the Navy dress sword appears to fall short of the description of Lady Vivamus given in the book. It does not have a bell-shaped guard, at least as I understand it, and it’s light blade can hardly be described as being heavy enough “ to chop bone “ when “ chopping away meat-axe style”. The Albion Swords version appears to be much closer to the book’s description except that the POB is 2 inches further down the blade. Plus, it’s no longer available and very expensive.
Any suggestions, anyone, on where I might look without going custom? I am considering purchasing a blade which has a similar configuration as the Albion and attaching a bell type guard, either purchased somewhere or newly manufactured. Perhaps a blade from a German made cavalry sword if I can find one on eBay at a good price? At times I’ve seen guards from British 1912 Officer’s Cavalry Swords sold on eBay at a fairly inexpensive price. Any ideas on blades/guards?
I do have some skill and tools, and it’ll probably be fun. I may end up spending too much going this route, but anyone think it’s possible?
