Today we compare our Schloss Erbach sword to the original sword in The Oakeshott Institute collection, which was collected by Ewart Oakeshott and contributed to his typology, and was featured in his books. This sword has been made by some other makers over the years, but our piece is far the most accurate replica out there. This is because we have access to the original at need, which allows us to answer any questions about the sword by simply handling, measuring, and interacting with it. This is one of our greatest strengths at Arms and Armor, our four decade long experience with hundreds of original swords, both in our collection and in private collections and museums around the world.
The Arms and Armor Schloss Erbach Sword
There is only so much you can learn about a sword by reading its stats in a book, or looking at it through glass. Sometimes picking up a sword is worth a thousand pictures and other people's measurements (which are frequently published incorrectly). This sword in particular has been frequently reproduced by other makers, probably because of the prominent place it has in the reference works of Ewart Oakeshott, one of the 20th century's most important scholars of European swords. We have the privilege of caring for Oakeshott's collection, through The Oakeshott Institute, which we jointly created with Oakeshott around twenty years ago.
Check out this previous blog post for much more information on this important sword, and a link to a high quality 3D model of the original. You can also see all of our work here.
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. Polearms are 4140 carbon steel. All of our products are made to look, feel, and function just like the historical originals on which they are based. 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. T
hese are pieces that feel as good as they look, and that work as well as they feel. Our mission is to craft items that recreate the look, feel, and function of the best historic originals. Whether you are a Collector, Curator, Reenactor, or Historical Martial Artist, we will work with you to create the sword or other historical weapon of your dreams
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