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Post by wiglaf on Aug 26, 2022 19:36:46 GMT
Hello!
New member here. I am trying to work up to completing a custom migration-era sword and sheath. I will be buying the blade, since I do not have the skill or tools to make one, but I do intend to make the hilt fittings for it. I have woodworking tools for cutting and shaping wood for the handle, a small supply of metalworking tools for the metal components, and a pommel cap already cast.
The problem, of course, is that I do not know how to assemble the individual components of the hilt in a secure and lasting manner beyond a general knowledge of how they were constructed. What are the best resources to begin with? Are there particular books you would recommend?
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stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,647
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Post by stormmaster on Aug 27, 2022 0:56:24 GMT
usually migration era swords had a peen of some sort under the pommel cap and then the rest of the components were riveted together, where are u getting your blade?
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stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,647
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Post by stormmaster on Aug 27, 2022 1:03:14 GMT
heres a relatively simple example of a migration era sword and hilt made by owen bush for me last year, as u can see it consists of 3 parts for the guard/usually 2 pieces of metal with a horn or wood in the middle riveted together and same for the pommel side and under the pommel cap is a peened tang while the pommel cap is riveted through the lower pommel
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stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,647
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Post by stormmaster on Aug 27, 2022 1:16:33 GMT
maybe start with something like this where it has less parts, a sword from nydam i believe, 4th-5th cen
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Aug 28, 2022 8:53:20 GMT
Here some variants of mig era sword hilts:
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Post by wiglaf on Aug 29, 2022 4:18:50 GMT
Thanks! I'm not too worried about assembling the guards, since I've already done some riveting and should have plenty of opportunity to practice. My main concern is in the peening process. I'm worried that the handle and guards will rattle loose after peening. Is a tight, secure fit achieved mainly through carefully shaping the handle and guards to exactly fit the tang? I've never done any peening on a hilt before, so I'm not sure how best to shape the hole in the handle. I know some wood handles on later medieval swords were fitted with the tang hot, but I'm a little nervous about attempting that process...
I was originally considering 16 gauge bronze for the metal plates on the guards, but I am beginning to sway towards casting a thicker custom plate instead.
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Post by wiglaf on Aug 29, 2022 4:21:17 GMT
usually migration era swords had a peen of some sort under the pommel cap and then the rest of the components were riveted together, where are u getting your blade? I am not certain where I will get the blade yet. Ideally, I would get one of Albion's bare type X blades, but I can't seem to get through to them and I'm not sure if there's even one available. If you have any recommendations for where to purchase a migration-era style sword blade, I would love to hear them.
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stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,647
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Post by stormmaster on Aug 29, 2022 4:41:08 GMT
dont recall albion having any bare blades available atm, yup just gotta shape everything perfectly so when riveted theres no gaps and peening should keep everything on tight if done properly too, idk what your budget is before i go telling u where to commission a blade, u can always break down a production sword and repurpose a blade that way tho
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Post by eastman on Aug 30, 2022 0:18:57 GMT
I have the Albion type X bare blade. I ordered it in July 2021 and it was shipped about 2 months later. I bought the heat treated version, the non-heat treated is probably shipped faster. You can call Albion and get their current lead time (just call Mon-Thurs if you want someone to answer the phone).
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Post by wiglaf on Sept 3, 2022 17:25:27 GMT
As an update, I did order an Albion type X. They told me it would be done in roughly two months.
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stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,647
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Post by stormmaster on Sept 3, 2022 19:02:15 GMT
Nice that albion still offers their bare blades
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