Today we are checking out our Hungarian Sword with a custom hard scabbard. The blade on this sword is an Oakeshott type XI. It is based on an original from the early 13th century. This was the period of maille armor, great helms, and the flowering of European knightly traditions.
Knights in 13th century combat
This style of sword was used in this period for mounted combat as the long blade and broad guard provided an excellent reach for combat from the saddle. This piece was ordered with a custom hard scabbard appropriate to the period. We see a belt that is split and woven round the scabbard and through the leather covering the wooden core.
Our sword is just over 43" in total length, with a 36" blade. The hilt consists of a classic Brazil-nut style pommel, and broad cross, which would create a strong defence. Many illustrations from the 13th century show this style of sword and it was particularily popular in southeastern Europe.
Arms and Armor Hungarian Sword
The turbulent history of this region in the 13th century would have had the best technology and tactical minds of that day helping create such a sword. It would have been used in the many conflicts and invasions seen criss crossing this important region, meeting many different opponents and styles of combat.
The scabbard is finished in contrasting tones of brown leather.
Hungarian Sword with custom scabbard.
We do a limited number of custom scabbards a year and you can inquire about ordering one with your sword or made for a sword by emailing us at aa@arms-n-armor.com. The scabbard are generally a wooden core carved to fit blade and covered in leather or fabric. The style and form will vary and is usually done to match the region and period for the sword or rapier.
Check out our video handling and describing this awesome weapon.
Nathan Clough, Ph.D. is Vice President of Arms and Armor and a member of the governing board of The Oakeshott Institute. He is a historical martial artist and a former university professor of cultural geography. He has given presentations on historical arms at events including Longpoint and Combatcon, and presented scholarly papers at, among others, The International Congress on Medieval Studies.
Craig Johnson is the Production Manager of Arms and Armor and Secretary of The Oakeshott Institute. He has taught and published on the history of arms, armor and western martial arts for over 30 years. He has lectured at several schools and Universities, WMAW, HEMAC, 4W, and ICMS at Kalamazoo. His experiences include iron smelting, jousting, theatrical combat instruction and choreography, historical research, European martial arts and crafting weapons and armor since 1985