The Windlass Rheinfelden.
Nov 1, 2014 14:10:57 GMT
Post by Uhlan on Nov 1, 2014 14:10:57 GMT
Windlass Rheinfelden.
This sword is a re-issue on demand from Irongate Armoury.
I have no relationship of any kind with them, other then being a very satisfied client.
With this out of the way, let us see what the Rheinfelden is all about.
According to people in the know, this is a Reitschwert, meaning a cavalry sword,
one out of a long line of Haudegen, Felddegen and Waloons.
There is no basket yet, as seen in the later Mortuary hilt swords, but it is already
a step further than the simple open grip affairs from earlier on.
I would place it in the last half of the 16th century and the first half of the 17th
century but who am I?
Lets have a look at what I got here.
The hilt: Two ringed with two side bars. There is a ricasso, like on a rapier, but this
is not easy to use. The space is too restricted, but in handling it does not seem
necessary to do so. I see it as a rudiment left over from earlier times.
The rings have some decorations on them and although not filed but molded,
it still looks good and is nicely done. It would be easy to take a file and make them
look more authentic.
There is ample room for the hand, even with gauntlets, but it must be said that the
hard edges of the metalwork get irritating after a while.
Nothing some filing cannot get rid of.
The grip is very tight wire over wood and is very well done in silver and blue.
The whole is topped with a nice and heavy pommel, with a neatly done fake peen.
The blade: Rather long for once, a good 37 " and the width at the guard is 1.37 ".
Taper goes from 4.5 mm at the guard to 2.5 just 5" before the tip. Diamond sectioned
with the first 8.6" flat.The weight is 1034 grams. The POB is 3.5" from the bigger ring.
The temper is very good on this one and though the blade has flex, it is not whippy.
As far as I can see, this is a good cutting and stabbing blade in a modern context,
but will not hold up in real cavalry or military use. As with most repro's the stock
is too thin to begin with, but in terms of actual use it is way better than the Hanwei
Side sword blade, which is way to light, thin and short to be more than a mere small
sword sporting a semi military look. Though that one is fun to use in our modern era,
I give it about 5 seconds in actual old time reality, before it and you are hacked to
pieces.
The Rheinfelden is much better build and it feels that way. The blade and the hilt parts
can stand some bashing, but with the too thin stock the blade will disintegrate before
long.
I give it 5 to 8 minutes. Not bad compared to the Hanwei.
As a follow up I plan to do a comparison review with the Hanwei versus the Windlass
Rheinfelden versus the Munchen. I ordered the Munchen but it is not in yet.
Conclusion:
The Rheinfelden is very nice in my view. It has the looks and the build of a real
sword. It handles very well and it gives me much confidence, though this might be personal.
Niceties are the two tone grip with real tight wire. The blade is good too. Pity the thin stock, but this
is nothing new and a problem with all modern reproductions and seen as such, the
Rheinfelden punches way above the average in this segment of the market.
Without hesitation I would recommend it to all of you.