Late 15th Century Arming Sword -Royal Armouries

Description of the Product

This arming sword in the Royal Armouries Collection dates to the late-15th century and is likely to be of English provenance. This type of sword is a medium-to-high status sidearm of the late-15th century and into the early 16th century, and would have been worn both with and without armour. It would have been a knightly backup weapon, used in combat both on foot and mounted.

This sword shares some obvious similarities with the Westminster Abbey sword, which has been long associated with Henry V (but now believed to be from Henry VII's funeral achievements). It also shares a number of close similarities with other swords from English churches, and from representations of swords on English funeral effigies and brasses. Due to the state of preservation, it has been suggested that this sword may indeed have been taken from an English church monument in past centuries, where it was likely originally deposited in the late-15th century.

This replica is a precise, faithful replica, manufactured traditionally in very similar ways to the original. It features a robust cut and thrust Oakeshott Type XVIII blade, long curved quillons with characteristic terminals, short grip and prominent solid wheel pommel. The original has some unusual floral engraving at the base of the blade, which we have not replicated, because unfortunately on the original it is too damaged to reproduce with any certainty.

The sheath is made with a wood body and covered with leather. The tip is reinforced with a brass chape that features ornate cut-outs and an acorn tip. At the throat, the leather extends upward and covers part of the guard at the ricasso. The original can be seen in the Royal Armouries Collection, Object Number IX.1426.

• Official, exact replica of Royal Armouries Sword #IX.1426
• Original is dated to the late 15th Century
• Includes leather covered wooden scabbard with brass chape
• Overall length: 93,5 cm
• Blade length: 77 cm
• Handle length: 10,3 cm
• Pommel Length: 6,5 cm
• Point of Balance from the guard: 8 cm
• Blade width at ricasso: 4,5 cm
• Blade width at 40mm from tip: 1,3 cm
• Blade thickness at guard: 6 mm
• Blade thickness at 40mm from tip: 3 mm
• Weight: 1,26 Kg
• Material: 1075 High Carbon Steel
• Sharpness: Unsharpened
• Includes a certificate of authenticity
• Manufacturer: Windlass Steelcrafts

About Royal Armouries - Windlass Steelcrafts - Matt Easton Collection

The Royal Armouries, the UK’s national collection of arms and armour, has granted Windlass Steelcrafts license to reproduce historically important weapons from the museum's collection. These will be accurate replicas based on meticulous study of the originals.

Each of these swords has been developed under the guidance of the Master of the Armouries and the museum's team of researchers and curators, who meticulously measured and weighed each original sword and carefully and thoroughly examined these reproductions to ensure the construction and specifications match the original piece.

This new collection comprises a set of six historical swords, manufactured by Windlass Steelcrafts. Using the finest steel and materials, forged by the most skilled craftsmen using traditional methods and modern 1080 high carbon steel, the Royal Armouries collection is truly history brought to life. Every aspect of the original artifact has been considered in production, to deliver the most authentic experience. Whether it be the weight, proportions, edge profiles or feeling in the hand, these replicas are in a class of their own.

The Royal Armouries Collection is brought to you as a collaboration between the Royal Armouries, Windlass Steelcrafts and sword expert Matt Easton.