From Records...

The Type XVIIIa on pg 191 is one of the most beautiful swords I have ever seen--a really nice example of form following function, IMO.

I'm also intrigued by the Type XVIIIa on pg 194. I'm certainly not one to argue with the late Mr. Oakeshott, but I personally view this weapon as a small two-hander, as opposed to a "very big bastard sword". In fact, while the blade is slightly over Silver's "perfect length", I think this weapon may actually be an example of the type of two-hander Silver preferred (I personally disagree with Paul Wagner's assertion that Silver's two-hander was actually a bastard sword).

From European Weapons and Armour...

I would love to have a replica of the Venetian "proto-Schiavona" (for lack of a better term) shown at the top of pg 185 ("Venetian hilt, c. 1540).

From the Osprey Man-At-Arms title The Conquistadors by Terence Wise:

The two-hander on pg 14 ("two-handed sword, Spanish or German") is really slick-looking. The overall length is given as 53 inches, and I suspect this is another two-hander that Silver would have approved of.

I would say the XX.4 on page 211. I couldn't find a pic of it to post but I love the beautiful XX blade with the cross from the "Munich" sword and the pommel form the Svante. Just perfect!!


Cheers
Dave Lannon

In descending order:
X 15 (Patrick's favourite?)
X 8 (Witham)
XII 10 (or maybe 11)
XIX 6 (I keep dismissing it as too fancy and not my period, but I get drawn back to it - visual balance? dunno)

Geoff

For those of us who don't own a copy of Records, could somebody please post a picture of XX.4?

Thanks!

This one seems to be very similar to the Svante by Peter Johnson :eek:
Awesome piece!

Many fine choices listed in this thread, and it is difficult to pick just one.

Of those already mentioned, Xa.1 would probably top my list. But XVIIIa.5, Edward III, XVIII.1 (Henry V) and XX.4 are also very special in my mind. However, I am surprised that no one has mentioned these beauties:

XIV.1 (Morosini) , XV.9 and XVIII.4 from the Metropolitan Museum.
XII.15 – the Sword of Santa Casilda

There's another one I really like; almost forgot about it. :surprised:

"Complex hilt 3" (page 243). Oakeshott once classified it a Type XVIII but then unclassified it when he wrote Archeology of Weapons. It is of the appropriate date (ca. 1480) when these types seemed to be most popular. He describes it as a "...very essence of a thrusting sword."

XII #1 (page 66) : simple H guard, nice wheel pommel, perfect proportions. described by Oakeshott as "absolutely classic, or standard type XII sword.."

XVI #1 (p. 146): i like the XVI cut&trust blade; maybe a bit too long, but nice down curved ( type 7) guard.

XVI #4 (p. 151): so-called "riding sword"; having little room to maneuver this short (21", 53,4cm) blade must have been a nice team with a small shield. I wonder if we will ever see anything like that at Albion as most people seem to prefer the long blades.

XVII #8 (p. 166): elegant sword, the slightly down curved guard and the T.4 pommel together with that slim and pointy blade makes it look very dynamic.


and now the ugliest sword from records :D
XVIa #3 (p. 154): this short bow :eek: guard (Oakeshotts: " rather exaggerated 6") is the ugliest i have ever seen. and the type K pommel (Oakeshotts: " rather exaggerated K").. well, it doesn't turn it around :p

XII.9 This one is just so clean looking. Very classic and simple and with such nice proportions. A no nonsense tool for war! Love it!

While doing some research on guilds, I came across and interesting aside to the Edward III
sword.

Something that had always made me go hmmmm about was the piece of cloth in the pommel.

Quote:

<snip>Edward III reconstituted and legitimated the trading fraternities by recognising their distinctive liveries259 and providing them with charters or letters patent, the King himself led a rush of non-operatives to join. Presumably meaning he was initiated in a mock-up manner, and given access to some ersatz secrets, it is recorded that he 'became' a Linen-Armourer. His successor Richard II became a brother of the same company</snip>

This from
http://www.takver.com/history/benefit/ctormys-02.htm
~~~~~~~~

My favorite would be hard to narrow down but I love my A&A XVa and I like the big XIIa in records, I think it's XIIa.4 (book wrapped and buried).

Cheers

GC

To me has to be X13...what Oakeshott called "an absolutely classic example of a Type X sword".

The broad 34" blade, wide spike hilt, and heavy Brazil nut pommel, all arranged in near perfect symmetry, make this a real life hero sword. This was not a sword made for nimble fencing, this was a sword made for dealing devastating cuts from the back of a horse at the dawn of the medieval era.

If anyone knows of a replica of this sword, or even some more information or photos of it, I would appreciate it.

-JDC

Since this thread has been brought back to life, and it did mention "or other sources" here are a couple that have me intrigued right now.

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From the Cluny in Paris (if memory serves). Photo by Mathieu Harlaut.