Albion Tritonia
Jun 28, 2014 7:45:45 GMT
Post by William Swiger on Jun 28, 2014 7:45:45 GMT
I purchased this sword directly from Albion and have no professional or personal relationship with Albion.
Albion Tritonia:
Specifications:
Type: XIIIb
Type R pommel, Style 2 guard
Overall length: 39"
Blade length: 33" (Mine is slightly under 33")
Blade Width (at base): 2.5"
POB: 4.75" from cross
Grip Length: 4"
Pommel: Peened
Weight: 3 lbs 6 oz
Background: The Tritonia, A Swedish late 13th and early 14th Century sword is one of Albion’s Museum Line Collection Swords. The Tritonia is a faithful recreation of an historical sword named after its find site, an area now known as "Tritonia" in the medieval part of Stockholm, Sweden. An archaeological excavation at the site yielded the remnants of a pier, and this extraordinary sword.
Type XIII: Ewart Oakeshott classified one of the swords of his latter group of swords as the Type XIII. The defining characteristics of this type are a longer, wider blade whose edges run nearly parallel to a rounded, or spatulate, tip. These blades are known to swell slightly in width just below the hilt, before the edges begin their virtually straight run to the point. Fullers generally run to around, or just over, half the length of the blade, creating a tip area that is wide and flat and is optimized for shearing blows. The cross-section of these blades is best defined as lenticular: a flattened ovoid shape.
Sub-Type XIIIb: This is true single-handed type, though the blade is similar in proportions to Type XIII blades (with the exception of fuller that is sometimes more narrow than typical Type XIII examples).
Albion Description:
The sword is a stunning eye-catcher and presented many interesting challenges during the process of reconstruction. It was obviously made by a master of the craft and combines awesome cleaving power with agility and speed.
Despite its hefty weight it is smooth and responsive in handling. Its blade, tang, cross and pommel were skillfully forged with a good eye for beautiful proportions and a deep understanding of the dynamic qualities of a broad slashing sword of such imposing dimensions. A distinguishing feature is how the distal taper is designed to give support and stiffness to the thin cutting section of the blade.
A very similar sword with the same broad blade and spherical pommel is seen in a sculpture in the “Easter Shrine” of the Cathedral, Constance, dated to 1300, depicting a soldier sleeping by the tomb of Christ. Weapons like these were effectively wielded from horseback and were popular during the later part of the 13th C and the first half of the 14th C.
The sword made in the workshops of Albion is a direct result of a project for the Museum of Medieval Stockholm. Swordsmith Peter Johnsson was commissioned to forge an exact reconstruction that was to be exhibited alongside the original.
The knowledge gained during this project is now resulting in a faithful and highly realistic reconstruction made by the skilled artisans of Albion. No effort is spared to make the swords true to the original not only in dimensions but also in performance and aesthetic details.
The blades are hand-ground and finished to a high satin finish. Each blade is individually heat treated in Albion's Shop for maximum flexibility and cutting performance. All of our blades are thoroughly tested to destruction to ensure that they are as durable (or more) than a period original (see the results of one such testing session here.).
The wooden core of the grip is bound with cord and covered with leather. The cross with its gently flaring ends, its ball pommel and florette are all hand finished and mounted to fit individual blades.
Impressions: When looking at this sword, you can see it was made for someone above the rank and file of regular soldier. It has a very large blade and has a slight taper for the first few inches. From there, the blade remains about the same width. The blade features a gradual distal taper that changes to add support at the right areas of the blade. This sword is a dedicated cutter but appears strong enough to withstand use against individual protection and shields of the time.
The sword is no lightweight and by the weight is heavy for a 1-handed sword. Due to the mass distribution, it does not feel overly heavy in hand. In my opinion, it is a sword for a mounted fighter. It could maybe be used with a shield on foot if the warrior was dismounted. I like this sword more for the beauty of the design and it is a Museum Line product which is a real recreation of an actual period sword.
The prices of the Museum Line offerings might be too expensive for some collectors. If you are looking for a user sword or a cheaper sword with this type blade, I would recommend the A&A offering as an alternative.
References:
Albion
Sword in the Age of Chivalry, The, by R. Ewart Oakeshott
MyArmoury
Albion Tritonia:
Specifications:
Type: XIIIb
Type R pommel, Style 2 guard
Overall length: 39"
Blade length: 33" (Mine is slightly under 33")
Blade Width (at base): 2.5"
POB: 4.75" from cross
Grip Length: 4"
Pommel: Peened
Weight: 3 lbs 6 oz
Background: The Tritonia, A Swedish late 13th and early 14th Century sword is one of Albion’s Museum Line Collection Swords. The Tritonia is a faithful recreation of an historical sword named after its find site, an area now known as "Tritonia" in the medieval part of Stockholm, Sweden. An archaeological excavation at the site yielded the remnants of a pier, and this extraordinary sword.
Type XIII: Ewart Oakeshott classified one of the swords of his latter group of swords as the Type XIII. The defining characteristics of this type are a longer, wider blade whose edges run nearly parallel to a rounded, or spatulate, tip. These blades are known to swell slightly in width just below the hilt, before the edges begin their virtually straight run to the point. Fullers generally run to around, or just over, half the length of the blade, creating a tip area that is wide and flat and is optimized for shearing blows. The cross-section of these blades is best defined as lenticular: a flattened ovoid shape.
Sub-Type XIIIb: This is true single-handed type, though the blade is similar in proportions to Type XIII blades (with the exception of fuller that is sometimes more narrow than typical Type XIII examples).
Albion Description:
The sword is a stunning eye-catcher and presented many interesting challenges during the process of reconstruction. It was obviously made by a master of the craft and combines awesome cleaving power with agility and speed.
Despite its hefty weight it is smooth and responsive in handling. Its blade, tang, cross and pommel were skillfully forged with a good eye for beautiful proportions and a deep understanding of the dynamic qualities of a broad slashing sword of such imposing dimensions. A distinguishing feature is how the distal taper is designed to give support and stiffness to the thin cutting section of the blade.
A very similar sword with the same broad blade and spherical pommel is seen in a sculpture in the “Easter Shrine” of the Cathedral, Constance, dated to 1300, depicting a soldier sleeping by the tomb of Christ. Weapons like these were effectively wielded from horseback and were popular during the later part of the 13th C and the first half of the 14th C.
The sword made in the workshops of Albion is a direct result of a project for the Museum of Medieval Stockholm. Swordsmith Peter Johnsson was commissioned to forge an exact reconstruction that was to be exhibited alongside the original.
The knowledge gained during this project is now resulting in a faithful and highly realistic reconstruction made by the skilled artisans of Albion. No effort is spared to make the swords true to the original not only in dimensions but also in performance and aesthetic details.
The blades are hand-ground and finished to a high satin finish. Each blade is individually heat treated in Albion's Shop for maximum flexibility and cutting performance. All of our blades are thoroughly tested to destruction to ensure that they are as durable (or more) than a period original (see the results of one such testing session here.).
The wooden core of the grip is bound with cord and covered with leather. The cross with its gently flaring ends, its ball pommel and florette are all hand finished and mounted to fit individual blades.
Impressions: When looking at this sword, you can see it was made for someone above the rank and file of regular soldier. It has a very large blade and has a slight taper for the first few inches. From there, the blade remains about the same width. The blade features a gradual distal taper that changes to add support at the right areas of the blade. This sword is a dedicated cutter but appears strong enough to withstand use against individual protection and shields of the time.
The sword is no lightweight and by the weight is heavy for a 1-handed sword. Due to the mass distribution, it does not feel overly heavy in hand. In my opinion, it is a sword for a mounted fighter. It could maybe be used with a shield on foot if the warrior was dismounted. I like this sword more for the beauty of the design and it is a Museum Line product which is a real recreation of an actual period sword.
The prices of the Museum Line offerings might be too expensive for some collectors. If you are looking for a user sword or a cheaper sword with this type blade, I would recommend the A&A offering as an alternative.
References:
Albion
Sword in the Age of Chivalry, The, by R. Ewart Oakeshott
MyArmoury