Don Quixote Sword

Description of the Product

Don Quixote, written by Miguel de Cervantes, is one of the great classics of world literature. It is considered the first modern western novel, and in addition to being often listed as one of the best books of all time, it is also one of the most translated and best-selling. The first volume was originally published in 1605, and the events take place in Spain of that time, in the region of Castile-La Mancha. The region's location in the heart of Spain had made it the center of events throughout the Middle Ages, as the Moors and Christians had fought over the control of the peninsula. The region's capital was Toledo, and for centuries there were countless opportunities available for hidalgos, as well as squires, to prove their worth in swordsmanship. By the early 1600’s, Spain's 16th-century status as a world leader was declining, and costly colonial wars had brought the country to the brink of bankruptcy. The cultural hegemony of the Spanish Catholic Church, despite strict enforcement by the Inquisition, was no longer a given, as Protestantism was spreading in the North. As the world changed, the lofty ideals of chivalry were suddenly no longer relevant.

In the book, Alonso Quijano is a poor hidalgo who loses his mind after reading too many chivalric novels. He decides to go fight injustice in the world, and adopts the name Don Quixote of La Mancha. He takes Sancho Panza, a simple farm laborer, as his squire. Panza initially participates mainly for profit. However, with his loyalty, common sense, and down-to-earth nature, he proves to be a good aid to his master, who has become detached from reality. Sancho Panza acts as a voice of reason, a counterbalance to Don Quixote's dreamy idealism. Don Quixote rides off to adventure on his old workhorse Rosinante, dressed in his great-grandfather's rusty armor, and armed with his old sword and lance. In one of his adventures, he is tilting at windmills, mistaking them for giants.

Don Quixote's immense popularity over the centuries has been significant in attracting tourists to Castile-La Mancha, where you can still see the famous windmills. From Toledo also comes this sword dedicated to Don Quixote, with which you can imagine yourself taking part in the book's incredible adventures. Whether you do this out of idealism verging on madness, or out of excessive realism, is up to you.

This sword is a cut&thrust type of sword, which means the sword's blade is slightly wider and shorter than a rapier, which allows for cuts in addition to effective thrusts. The cup hilt is covered with silver- and gold-plated decorations, and depicts the heroes of the book.

The stainless steel blade is easy to care for, and the sword is ideal as a decoration, as part of a costume, as a collectible and suitable for light cutting practice. The material is not suitable for steel-on-steel fencing or heavy cutting practice. No sheath included.

• Overall length: 103,2 cm
• Blade length: 84,1 cm
• Handle length: 12 cm
• Pommel: 4,5 cm
• Weight: 1,3 kg
• Width at Guard:  3,12 cm
• Thickness at Guard: 5,68 mm
• Blade material: 420 Stainless Steel
• Sharpness: Unsharpened
• Made by Marto (Toledo, Spain)