I know this isn't strictly LS related, but since I have a fascination for swords, figured I'd post it here. I have a sword. I'm trying to identify the exact type, what society influenced it's various factors, etc. It ticks a lot of marks from a lot of time periods and societies (romans, norse, scots). Anyone know more than I do about such things that can analyze it from this picture? No reward for doing so or anything, just thought it'd be an interesting discussion.

Pic:



Dimensions would be 2 foot blade, from crossguard to pommel 7-8 inches, width of blade an inch and a quarter before it narrows.

Anyhow, hf. Pretty sure this is my 270ee, now just need to figure out wtf it is.

Edit: Note, this is a one-handed sword. Unless you have tiny hands, this cannot class as any form of claymore or other 2 handed sword.

This post was edited by InsaneBobb on Oct 25 2020 03:19am

Not an expert on swords, but that looks very much like the swords used in the film ''300''

So I would think it may be a Spartan Sword

This post was edited by Paparick on Oct 25 2020 03:29am

So like... A Xiphos?

Edit: Blade's a bit wrong for that on style, (flat, not angled down from high center), but I could maybe see it with the crossguard and pommel. Length might be right. Wait, no, Xiphos was supposed to be 18-24 inches tip to pommel. This is 31-32 inches tip to pommel. Too long, good start though.

Edit2: I'm looking anything anyone refers to up. Honestly trying to figure this out. So don't take my feedback of your feedback as argument. Just trying to nail down what it's supposed to be. It's good American Black Steel. Real weight, supple but not floppy. This is a usable sword. I'm just trying to get more info on what it's "supposed" to be a "replica" of. It was purchased 20 years ago at a highland games from a Scottish American craftsman who has never been to the same games again that I've been able to find. So I can't exactly ask him what he was trying to do.

Edit3: There is no makers mark, either on the hilt, blade, pommel, or scabbard. The scabbard is tooled leather with a shoulder strap. Scabbard designed to be worn in a highland fashion with a kilt, except not like a claymore on the back, instead with the blade at the hip. It's... Different. Which again begs the question, wtf is this?

This post was edited by InsaneBobb on Oct 25 2020 03:56am

Roman Gladius seems to be close, with the exception of the cross piece

This post was edited by Paparick on Oct 25 2020 04:15am

Yeah, Knightly sword (norse) hits it with the pommel, and crosspiece, without the leather grip, but blade type wrong. Gladius is at least the right length though, which is part of why I originally thought maybe roman short sword style. But the shape of the blade (not straight, kind of that inward outward inward bit) is quite different.

Edit: I'm also having a very hard time finding any blades that lack some form of blood gutter. If I could think of a proper term, maybe I could search this out, but I'm at a complete loss.

This post was edited by InsaneBobb on Oct 25 2020 04:21am

I think you can switch pommel and cross on swords as they are mounted after the smithing process. So I would focus on the blade itself. As it is very short like a gladius it seems to be a secondary infantry weapon. Maybe this gives you some edge to find its origin

As I said, the blade is American Black Steel. The actual sword is no older than 50 years on the outside. My primary goal is to find the inspiration for it's style, rather than the history of the piece itself. I even hesitate to call it a "weapon" because it has never been used as such. The fact that unlike many of the showier "pieces" that one finds at fair type events, this could easily be used in combat is irrelevant.

I mean, 20 years ago this sword cost my father $295. And he swore up and down it was a steal. At the same highland games, I saw stainless steel claymores going for upwards of $500, and if you smacked them with this, they'd shatter, and this'd not have a mark. It's heavy duty steel, not a prop. Something designed to be used, though it never has been. Hence why I'm incredibly curious regarding the style. My father never bothered to ask, and didn't care about the question. It was just some larper's piece for him. Well, he's dead and I don't give a fuck what mattered to him. Now, it's mine, and I would like to try to determine what the guy who made it was actually designing. From what I recall when we brought this home, the guy only came to the fair with 30 or so swords and maybe 20 knives total. He set up his booth around noon, and was sold out within an hour. The knives were Damascus steel. The swords were self-crafted black steel, made here in America by this feller. Not sure about his processes or anything. Didn't ask. Bit late now. Just hoping I can determine what it was he was trying to replicate, or if this is an original design.

Still going through all of asshole's shit. Firearms went to my uncle (nobody else wanted them), pointy things went to me, just trying to determine what this one piece is from. Everything else I know the full history and/or inspiration of. Gotta say, I'm at a loss with this sword. While I know the history (ish), I'm having a hard time defining the type and style of the damned thing. ><

take this to http://www.theringlord.org/forum/
their population is really into this kind of stuff

Browsed through that forum, seems to be dedicated to chain mail?

Yeah they do "chain maille" heh heh but there's a ton of renaissance fair types, larpers and history buffs. it's their milieu, in their wheelhouse, their bailiwick, so to speak.