Today we are pleased to announce an updated and improved version of our popular Italian Bill. This elegant and mighty polearm from the late medieval period was an impressive part of the 15th century man at arm's arsenal. Initially developing from an agricultural implement, this weapon emerged alongside halberds, scorpions, and partisans as an essential weapon for combat on foot. Check out this previous blog for some more history, context, and examples of original Italian Bills.
An image featuring a Roncone from Giacomo di Grassi's 1570 fight book, available from the fantastic folks at Wiktenauer.
At 92" in total length with a 30" head featuring a long spike, cutting edge, hook, and langets, this is one of the biggest weapons we make. The blade tapers from 1/4" thick 6150 carbon steel at the spine to a very fine, hollow ground edge, giving this weapon both significant strength and superior cutting ability. At around 5lbs this is a weapon with significant presence, but the hollow grind on the blade and the geometry of the ash haft make it both wieldy and maneuverable.
Detail of the head of the Italian Bill
Any orders that have come in lately prior to this announcement will be automatically upgraded to the new 1/4", hollow ground head, and if you would like to add langets to a pre-existing order to the old model please let us know.
As always, our swords and other weapons are entirely made by us, by hand, at our shop in Minneapolis, MN. Sword blades are hand ground of 6150 carbon steel, hardened and tempered to 50-52 Rockwell.
Arms & Armor is dedicated to quality and authenticity. For over four decades we have worked with museums, collectors, and scholars to develop a deep understanding of European weapons; knowledge we use to make products that exemplify the finest qualities of the very best historic pieces. When we select historic items to reproduce, being pretty isn't enough, they have to move with grace and beauty, and beg to be used when in the hand. These are pieces that feel as good as they look, and that work as well as they feel.
Nathan Clough, Ph.D. is President and CEO 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