Albion Gallowglass

Overview
From Wikipedia - The gallowglasses (also spelt galloglass, gallowglas or galloglas; from Irish: gall óglaigh meaning foreign
warriors) were a class of elite mercenary warriors who were principally members of the Norse-Gaelic clans of Scotland between the mid
13th century and late 16th century. As Scots, they were Gaels and shared a common background and language with the Irish, but as they
had intermarried with the 10th century Norse settlers of western Scotland, the Irish called them Gall Gaeil ("foreign Gaels").



The Albion Gallowglass is a longsword version of a Oakeshott type XIX with a distinctive Irish style ring pommel.

Purchasing/shipping
I purchased this sword from our own Sean (Shadowhowler) in the SBG classifieds. It is not new from Albion but is in mint condition.

I have no affiliation with Albion.

Specifications
Overall Length: 47 1/2"
Blade Length: 37 3/8"
Blade Width at guard: 1 3/8"
Overall Grip Length: 7 1/8"
Cross guard Length: 8 1/8"
Pommel: 2 3/8" Wide x 1/2 " thick
Weight: 2 pounds, 9 ounces
PoB: 6"

Blade:
Blade is long and rather narrow which makes for a very interesting look and feel when combined with a rather wide pommel. The blade
as mentioned is a type XIX which basically means it has a hexagon cross section, very little profile taper and was primarily a
cutting type sword. The blade is absolutely beautiful. I find these hexagon cross section blades just really interesting. The
blade has a fair amount of flex to it but does not waggle or "whip" what so ever when in motion. If feels and moves like a thicker
stiffer blade but when flexed with your hand or on the ground, it has a fair amount of bend. The ricasso and fuller section feature
and outline of inscribed lines ending in what looks like an arrow point. These decorative elements really set the blade off and give
it a very elegant look. My calipers broke so I can't give accurate distal taper measurements but at the base it appears to be 1/4"
stock and the eye test tells me it has pretty significant and consistent taper to the point.

IMG_4683_zps43dss5th by warspite15, on Flickr



Grip
The grip is brown with a small riser at the top as well as the bottom. I pretty basic grip of basic elliptical shape with a slight
swell in the middle. The grip is very comfortable and while it leans to the thin side, I would not call it thin.

IMG_4689_zpsx0excv3c by warspite15, on Flickr

Pommel
The pommel is quite basic. It is every bit a simple ring of steel, nothing more nothing less. Obviously the tang is seen coming
through the ring and out the other side which is finished with a very nice, slightly decorated peen block. The peen block in my eyes
is a key feature as it takes what is a very plain pommel and gives it some flair.


IMG_4687_zpsazwiuzrk by warspite15, on Flickr


Cross Guard
The blade as mentioned is incredibly interesting to me, but the crossroad is just plain fantastic. Many Albinos will showcase really
detailed, excellently shaped and visually interesting crossroads and this is one of the nicest I have seen up close. It is of basic
"bow tie" shape but has a downward disposition of the quillions. The center portion if thicker and has langlets with decorative

lines while the outer 3/4 of either side thins quite a lot till it ends with a rather thin cross section. The end section is
considerably thinner than the blade is thick. Clover (4-leaf) or perhaps a rounded cross cutout is also present on either side of
the cross. Many Irish style swords have an "S" style curved guard, the Gallowglass does not which for my personal tastes was a plus.

IMG_4688_zpsl9llrkdi by warspite15, on Flickr

IMG_4693_zpsgwouq341 by warspite15, on Flickr

Performance
This sword is quick and light....and Extremely quick. Did I mention quick? In hand this does not feel like a scary warsword ready

to chop your arm off or split your head in two. It feels more like a lightening fast, overwhelm you with speed type of longsword. I
know Saint Patrick banished the snakes from Ireland but this sword is quite the viper...so perhaps a miss on the good Saint's part.

I know, its made in the USA and isn't really from Ireland but c'mon...trying to be creative here.

IMG_4692_zpstkuokab0 by warspite15, on Flickr

Overall
When I first got the sword and saw it up close, and moved it around a bit I was instantly hit with an impression that this sword is
peculiar. To me it is, its kind of peculiar. The way it feels, looks and moves is really like nothing I have seen or held. Its not
a knock on the sword at all, I like it, I like it a lot actually but it is a bit different. It has a very thin blade from the
profile, I think Albion's thinnest perhaps, or close to it. Interestingly enough, the Albion single-handed type XIX swords are
actually wider at the base. My Condottiere is 1 1/2" wide which I found somewhat eye opening. When researching these models I could
have sworn it was the reverse, but that must have been my mind playing a trick on me as I just assumed the longsword if anything
would sport a slightly wider blade. We are talking 1/8" so its really neither here nor there, just found it interesting The
Gallowglass is a very distinctive and unique sword.

Side by side with single-hand type XIX

IMG_4698_zpsfnireja6 by warspite15, on Flickr

IMG_4684_zpsjvocnoqc by warspite15, on Flickr