|
Post by Sir Thorfinn on Feb 6, 2015 9:06:50 GMT
Hi all, I feel I really should know this, but it seems the bulk of my sword knowledge revolves around earlier period Euro's
A friend asked for a recommendation for a sword (for a gift) from about 1500-1600, and around Albion quality. The sword is for his wife, they are reenactors...anyhow, she tends to like fencing style more than longsword.
I know this will probably produce a range, so what's your thoughts?
Thanks!
|
|
Luka
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,848
|
Post by Luka on Feb 6, 2015 11:14:31 GMT
Sharp or blunt?
|
|
|
Post by Timo Nieminen on Feb 6, 2015 11:15:29 GMT
There are a few Albions good for the early 1500s (Soldat and Maximilian come to mind), which will be of Albion quality.
But for more choice, try Arms & Armor, who have a few in their "Swords" section (Town Guard, Medici Falchion, Katzbalger), and lots & lots in their "Rapiers" section.
|
|
|
Post by Dave Kelly on Feb 6, 2015 11:46:48 GMT
The A&A munchener town guards popped in my head too. On the Fency side, the Lutel Flemish Rapier Set has been on my short list for several years now. Lots of DelTin complex hilted swords at KoA but no easy scabbards with Odingard off playing infantryman...
|
|
|
Post by JGonzalez on Feb 6, 2015 13:02:06 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Sir Thorfinn on Feb 6, 2015 13:07:22 GMT
I have to assume blunt, but like most Albions, they are fairly sharp when delivered, and they are very accustomed to dealing with sharps. But yes, definitely she leans more on the fencing side than the broadsword/longsword. Good ideas, any more? I'll gather up all recommendations and forward to the 'lucky' husband
|
|
Luka
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,848
|
Post by Luka on Feb 6, 2015 13:40:21 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Rabel Dusk on Feb 6, 2015 16:02:42 GMT
If she wants a blunt rapier, they should check out Darkwood Armoury. Also A&A has some training rapiers. It seems to me that A&A will also put a blunt blade on any of their production rapiers if they are so asked.
|
|
|
Post by spearman on Feb 6, 2015 18:41:25 GMT
I have to assume blunt, but like most Albions, they are fairly sharp when delivered, and they are very accustomed to dealing with sharps. But yes, definitely she leans more on the fencing side than the broadsword/longsword. Good ideas, any more? I'll gather up all recommendations and forward to the 'lucky' husband Here is a good one for a reenactor. www.armor.com/rapier219.htmlNot the rapier, but the side sword on the same page. It was used by both soldiers and civilians in the 1500's, while the rapier was really for civilian duelling. Rapiers really took over in the 1600's, but as near as I can find out, side swords were much more common in the 1500's. Scrolling down on that A&A webpage, you will see an option for a wide rebated blade designed for reenactors to look just like a sharp. The hilt configuration for this side sword was very popular in the 1500's, and the side sword would have been been two thumbs up by George Silver who hated the Italian rapier. This particular side sword from A&A would also be far less expensive than their rapier sharps.
|
|
|
Post by spearman on Feb 6, 2015 19:03:28 GMT
I forgot about that one. I think that would also be a good choice in addition to the A&A training side sword. I do prefer the look of the A&A model with the wide rebated blade option. My taste in swords goes from the La Tene, Roman gladius and spatha through the Germanic Iron Age, Migration Period, and the Viking period until the late 10th Century, and picks up again with swords of the 16th Century, especially the Elizabethan swords. I don't have much interest in rapiers, but I really like side swords and English basket hilts.
|
|
|
Post by Rabel Dusk on Feb 6, 2015 22:54:36 GMT
I got a Marozzo about a year ago. Here's what I had to say about it over at myArmoury - myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=29800&highlight=marozzoAbout that grip. It is actually what is underneath all Albion leather grips, the underdressing so to speak. For an additional fee, Albion will add the leather gripwrap over it. As I said in that thread over at myArmoury - I wish someone could compare the Marozzo with the training rapier/sidesword offered by A&A.
|
|
|
Post by Timo Nieminen on Feb 6, 2015 22:58:15 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Rabel Dusk on Feb 6, 2015 23:08:31 GMT
|
|
Paul
Member
Senior Forumite
Posts: 1,771
|
Post by Paul on Feb 6, 2015 23:34:17 GMT
I'm on my phone at the moment so I cant check my emails for the rough price, but at that price range I'd contact Craig at A&A for a custom Swiss 2 handed Saber.
|
|
|
Post by spearman on Feb 7, 2015 19:29:26 GMT
I got a Marozzo about a year ago. Here's what I had to say about it over at myArmoury - myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=29800&highlight=marozzoAbout that grip. It is actually what is underneath all Albion leather grips, the underdressing so to speak. For an additional fee, Albion will add the leather gripwrap over it. As I said in that thread over at myArmoury - I wish someone could compare the Marozzo with the training rapier/sidesword offered by A&A. Yes, I would also like to see a comparison of the Mazorro with the A&A sidesword trainer.
|
|
|
Post by Sir Thorfinn on Feb 8, 2015 22:04:35 GMT
Wow, I'm over whelmed...awesome info, keep it coming! This is good stuff
|
|
|
Post by aronk on Feb 8, 2015 22:42:58 GMT
An early smallsword would be appropriate, as would a colichemarde, though both are in the later portion of the period specified. A&A makes a superb blunt smallsword (never owned, but have handled). As for a colichemarde, I'm not aware of any off the top of my head.
|
|
|
Post by spearman on Feb 9, 2015 21:32:50 GMT
An early smallsword would be appropriate, as would a colichemarde, though both are in the later portion of the period specified. A&A makes a superb blunt smallsword (never owned, but have handled). As for a colichemarde, I'm not aware of any off the top of my head. As far as I know, a smallsword would be 200 years too early. I believe they first became popular in Lowland Scotland in the 1700s. The bulk of the really popular 16th Century swords would have been side swords and English basket hilts. There were some early rapiers around in use by the very wealthy, but they did not really take over until the 1600s. In addition, there was Elizabethan legislation aginst the rapier due to the length of the blades, and the increase of the frequency of street fighting and duels. I still think that the best sword for a 16th Century reenactment would be a side sword because they would not be restricted to a civilian impression. They could do a soldier, mercenary, sell sword, or civilian.
|
|
|
Post by Rabel Dusk on Feb 10, 2015 0:01:53 GMT
How about this Sidesword Schiavona from Danelli Armouries. It's more accurate to call it a German Baskethilt. The original dates from around 1550. This sword is on my list.
|
|
|
Post by aronk on Feb 10, 2015 0:52:18 GMT
An early smallsword would be appropriate, as would a colichemarde, though both are in the later portion of the period specified. A&A makes a superb blunt smallsword (never owned, but have handled). As for a colichemarde, I'm not aware of any off the top of my head. As far as I know, a smallsword would be 200 years too early. I believe they first became popular in Lowland Scotland in the 1700s. The bulk of the really popular 16th Century swords would have been side swords and English basket hilts. There were some early rapiers around in use by the very wealthy, but they did not really take over until the 1600s. In addition, there was Elizabethan legislation aginst the rapier due to the length of the blades, and the increase of the frequency of street fighting and duels. I still think that the best sword for a 16th Century reenactment would be a side sword because they would not be restricted to a civilian impression. They could do a soldier, mercenary, sell sword, or civilian. I have to disagree. Rapiers would be present in the 16th century, and abundant in the 17th century. The side sword would only really be appropriate for civilian wear in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, the rapier rapidly replacing it in most civilian contexts outside of England, where the basket-hilted backsword was initially more popular. As for the smallsword, check your sources, it begins to appear in the 17th century, reaching the peak of its popularity between the middle of the 17th century and the later part of the 18th century, with persistence on the continent well into the 1830s in dueling contexts until replaced by the epee du combat and similar weapons before the triumph of pistol dueling on the continent. By your math, if the smallsword was 200 years too early in 1650, it shouldn't have appeared until 1850, when it finally went out of style completely!
|
|