Info Favorites Register Log in
myArmoury.com Discussion Forums

Forum index Memberlist Usergroups Spotlight Topics Search
Forum Index > Historical Arms Talk > Falchion hilts Reply to topic
This is a standard topic  
Author Message
Adam M.M.





Joined: 02 Aug 2014

Posts: 54

PostPosted: Sat 06 Dec, 2014 11:53 pm    Post subject: Falchion hilts         Reply with quote

I've noticed that falchions often seem to have these rather peculiar hilts that is like a crossguard where the front quillon bends downwards and the back quillon bends upwards, I'm wondering when these hilts appeared and why they seem to be exclusive to falchions (at least as far as I've seen) and also what the point of the upward-bending back quillon is? I've heard it is to snap the opponent's sword in two but that doesn't seem very plausible.
View user's profile Send private message
Marik C.S.




Location: Germany
Joined: 16 Feb 2010

Posts: 163

PostPosted: Sun 07 Dec, 2014 12:51 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I don't recall seeing guards like this on swords prior to the middle of the 15th century, before that most falchions seem to have "normal" straight or slightly curved guards just like most double-edged swords.
Though take this as a mere indication, they may have been around earlier than that.

These guards are not limited to falchions either, there are Hangers - in particular the famous examples found at Wakefield from the Wars of the Roses - featuring the same guard and I think I've seen Kriegsmesser or swiss sabres having something similar in some examples though I'm not sure on those last two.
In general it's a style of guard that works best on a single-edged sword, as the downward quillon - basically it's a knuckle-guard - would make using the short-edge on a double-edged sword a bit awkward and difficult - not impossible but not something you'd want for general use.

The upward quillon is unlikely to ever snap a blade, unless you happen to use it against a really flimsy Olympic epee or something like that. It is however highly valuable in catching a blow and trapping the blade for a fraction of a second (or longer if you use it well) which most likely leaves your opponent first undefended and afterwards dead.

Europe - Where the History comes from. - Eddie Izzard
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website ICQ Number
Adam M.M.





Joined: 02 Aug 2014

Posts: 54

PostPosted: Sun 07 Dec, 2014 1:36 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Thanks for the information, but what exactly is the difference between a hanger and a falchion? I kinda use falchion as a general term for medieval single-edged swords but perhaps that's incorrect.
View user's profile Send private message
Mikko Kuusirati




Location: Finland
Joined: 16 Nov 2004
Reading list: 13 books

Posts: 1,084

PostPosted: Sun 07 Dec, 2014 8:28 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Adam M.M. wrote:
Thanks for the information, but what exactly is the difference between a hanger and a falchion? I kinda use falchion as a general term for medieval single-edged swords but perhaps that's incorrect.

The terminology isn't exactly... well... exact. Happy

Your use of "falchion" is entirely reasonable. A "hanger" can be any sort of relatively compact, usually single-edged and somewhat curved infantry sword (see also cutlass, cuttoe etc.) - the term is based more on the function the sword is put to than any specific inherent features. Some hangers are falchions and some falchions are hangers.

"And sin, young man, is when you treat people like things. Including yourself. That's what sin is."
— Terry Pratchett, Carpe Jugulum
View user's profile Send private message


Display posts from previous:   
Forum Index > Historical Arms Talk > Falchion hilts
Page 1 of 1 Reply to topic
All times are GMT - 8 Hours

View previous topic :: View next topic
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum






All contents © Copyright 2003-2024 myArmoury.com — All rights reserved
Discussion forums powered by phpBB © The phpBB Group
Switch to the Basic Low-bandwidth Version of the forum