Braveheart weapon question?
I am sure this has been a topic that has been discussed here many times, forgive me for bringing it up again. I have been searching ever since the movie, "Braveheart", came out, what the single edged, double pointed, wide bladed, "chopper", was that was carried by the followers of William Wallace carried into battle. I have searched these back posts and many other archives of other weapons forums to no avail. Can you help? Thank you in advance!!...Ironhorse...
Re: Braveheart weapon question?
Bob M. wrote:
I am sure this has been a topic that has been discussed here many times, forgive me for bringing it up again. I have been searching ever since the movie, "Braveheart", came out, what the single edged, double pointed, wide bladed, "chopper", was that was carried by the followers of William Wallace carried into battle. I have searched these back posts and many other archives of other weapons forums to no avail. Can you help? Thank you in advance!!...Ironhorse...


They remind me of single edged, double pointed, wide bladed choppers! But what they might be called, I don't have a clue. I believe I have seen period illustrations of similar weapons but cannot remember where. One danger in trying to find an historical appellation for weapons seen in the movies is that lots of times they were made up by some propmaster who thought they looked good without even lip service to historical accuracy. In the case of Braveheart which was a good story and well told, but an historical train wreck, I am pretty sure that is what happened.

I suspect that the Scots of Wallace's time carried swords, daggers and spears into battle along with the occasional modified agricultural tool. Whether or not they actually had "choppers" is going to be difficult to prove at this late date. The fun is derived from looking. And, since you have gotten me interested, I will look at my references tonight to see if I can find something that will help you.
These choppers show up in period art like the Maciejowski Bible. Del Tin makes a reproduction of that style: http://deltin.it/5133.htm .
Tinker Pearce has one up on his "For Sale" page. He calls it a " 'Chopper' style Falchion". It is the first item listed on this page:
http://www.tinkerswords.com/Page%203.html
Was it not also Del Tin who supplied the productionteam with weapons? I remember reading or seeing that somewhere though I can't remember where. Maybe it was on the extra DVD I got when I bought the movie.
Yes, I remember seeing this somewhere too.

If I remember correctly, there is a broad number of Del Tin swords used in the movie, including those :

http://deltin.it/2131.htm
http://deltin.it/2130.htm
http://deltin.it/2133.htm
http://deltin.it/5134.htm
http://deltin.it/5133.htm
And look, one is for sale.... but it's made of rubber....

http://www.propstore.com/product-Rubber-Machete.htm

..and they call it a "Machete". Quite possibly it's based on an agricultural implement.... maybe that's what some of those "early falchions" or "Medieval choppers" were, originally.... otherwise, I have no idea....
Here is a good pic of an entire "chopper"(the man running away on the right).It is also referred to as a Godenak.
Phil,

You mean the guy on the left!!! The new and improved ass-jaw chopper for all your Philistine problems! :D

RPM

(I can see what you are pointing out just had to point the cool picture out)
Phil Dobarganes wrote:
Here is a good pic of an entire "chopper"(the man running away on the right).It is also referred to as a Godenak.


Are you sure about that? Sounds awfully much like "gooden dag" to me, and that's a nother matter entirely...
Here is an old quote from Peter Johnsson and pic...
Here is an old quote from Peter Johnsson and pic...

"Similar weapons survived in Italy and were called Storte Contadine (Pesant Choppers/Falchions).
This picture is from Armi Bianche Italiane. Weapon shown is dated to 18th C. Note construction of grip and spur. The lenght of this weapon would be about the same as those single hand weapons shown in the Maciejowski bible. "

You can find out more in this thread :

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t...aciejowski

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