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Post by Federico on Nov 7, 2011 1:32:53 GMT
Hey guys. I have a longsword with side rings on its guard, and I find it much more maneuverable when I put my index finger over the guard to grip it. Unfortunately, despite the side rings, I find that my index is too vulnerable when I grip the sword like that. I was thinking of adding a finger ring to the guard, but I don't want the sword to look "stupid". I've been through myarmory.com's picture galleries, and didn't see anything like it. It would basically look something like this  (I took that from the arma site) Has anyone ever seen an actual sword with such a guard? (outside the realm of fantasy of course) |
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Post by Dave Kelly on Nov 7, 2011 2:19:33 GMT
Can't think of a longsword per se that would have both. Closest things are the italianate type XIXs that Albion sells, but they have finger guards and not rings. Don't have a hure collection of photos for 16th Century swords. You are venturing here into cut and thrust/proto rapier territory when you start adding to the hilt.
Question is where in the 16th Century can you merge the element you have and want... sorry not more to help with here.
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Lunaman
Senior Forumite
Posts: 3,974
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Post by Lunaman on Nov 7, 2011 2:33:07 GMT
Hey Federico, I don't think it would look stupid at all. I've not seen a sword with such a simple finger ring like that along with double siderings, but several later-period longswords include first finger protection incorporated into slightly more elaborate guard forms. One of my favorite historical swords is this German piece from the 1500's, whose inner sidering sweeps up to form an integral finger ring.    Another form I've seen is to place the outer side ring just forward of the finger ring, instead of behind it, as you can see on the second and last swords in this picture:  This isn't an antique sword, but this piece from Pavel Moc again uses the finger ring as integral to the inner sidering to good effect.  The finger ring tends to skew towards more complex guard forms if a side ring is also present, but since they've been found on hilts as simple as this next one, I doubt it would seem too out of place on an intermediate level of fancy. It certainly wouldn't look stupid. *shrug* |
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Post by Federico on Nov 7, 2011 3:11:15 GMT
@ Dave Kelly: You mean the Doge & the Machiavelli? You're right, they only incorporate finger rings in their guards but no side rings. I definitely am going towards the proto rapier type of swords. I love complex hilted late 15th century/beginning 16th century bastard swords. I've been doing longsword fencing for the past year, and hits to the hands are probably the most frequent ones, even with the advanced students, so I like the idea of protecting the fingers. @ Lunaman: It seems like we've been through the same pictures. I would emulate those designs if I had the skills and the tools, but unfortunately it's beyond my ability atm. They achieve the same goal I want to achieve, but with much more elegance (allow wrapping the finger on the guard + protect your hands). Big fan of the third one here --> www.myarmoury.com/albums/displayimage.php?pos=-1189 (taken from myarmoury's galleries) The reason I'm leaning towards simply adding a finger ring is because it's much easier to do. I just need to drill a hole in my guard, cut a metal hook, make an end of the hook properly fit the hole, JB weld, voila! Welding and forging new stuff...ehh, I'm much more likely to screw up. BTW, this is the project sword that I want to modify.   |
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Nov 7, 2011 3:15:24 GMT
A little off topic, but Luna, that first German and the Pavel Moc are gorgeous; you're givin' me ideas, man.
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Lunaman
Senior Forumite
Posts: 3,974
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Post by Lunaman on Nov 7, 2011 3:46:39 GMT
I know what you mean, mate. And that third sword is lovely. Fair enough! I think a finger ring would suit the project sword very well. Looks like a heavily-modified DSA gothic, and much improved from the work. I do what I do.  Here's some shots I took of the German hand-and-a-half earlier this year:    |
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Post by chuckinohio on Nov 7, 2011 15:20:29 GMT
That last sword looks like it may have been the insiration for this piece from Lutel  Image from Lutel-Handicraft.com Maybe not inspired by that historical piece, but definitely in the same school of thought................................The same only different................. Kinda looks like it some.... :? |
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Post by Federico on Nov 7, 2011 17:45:19 GMT
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Post by Federico on Nov 25, 2011 23:42:52 GMT
So...yeah, since this sword is a project/learning sword, I decided to go all out. I figured the guard is made of mild steel, which is relatively malleable, so instead of adding a simple finger ring, I did this.   It worked, and seems pretty solid. I drilled a hole through the guard like I said I would, put some JB weld in it and fitted a chopped hook screw by hitting it with a mallet. I still need to drill a hole on the side ring/finger ring connection and put a screw on it to solidify it, and polish it all. Weight is up to 4 pounds 0.7 ounces, so I still got some work to do, but I'm happy with the results. |
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Post by 14thforsaken on Nov 28, 2011 4:57:42 GMT
This probably isn't based on a historical blade but there is a beautiful Jake Powning blade that has a complex guard very much like the one you want. personally, its one of my favorite complex guards. Attachments:
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jhart06
Member
Slowly coming back from the depths...
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Post by jhart06 on Nov 28, 2011 6:35:48 GMT
Holy crap on a stick 14th... Thats a gorgeous sword!
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Post by Federico on Nov 28, 2011 12:02:41 GMT
Nice sword 14th! However, it's more in line with what Luna showed. If you look at it carefully, one of the side rings joins with the finger at the top. That's what I ended up doing with mine, and so far so good. I'll have to devise a way to test the whole thing for toughness.
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Post by Neil G. on Nov 29, 2011 15:45:19 GMT
I'm normally not a huge fan of complex guards on longswords, but that Du-Sith is a thing of beauty... There are also a few "Swiss Sabers" that I've seen over the last few years that really caught my fancy as well - like this beauty... www.myarmoury.com/swor_aa_swisssaber.htmlCustom Arms & Armor Swiss Saber made for Nathan Robinson of Myarmoury.com |
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Post by MOK on Dec 13, 2011 7:48:25 GMT
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Post by Federico on Dec 14, 2011 6:25:05 GMT
Hey MOK! Yeah, that one is definitely complex! Too bad the guy that built that guard went out of business. Here are two more pics of what I ended up doing.   A small hole between the tip of the finger ring and the side ring, a tightly screwed screw embedded in JB weld, some gun blue to hide the differences in the steels used, voila! |
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Here's some shots I took of the German hand-and-a-half earlier this year:
Herron's Flight by Brendan of Fable Blades
