Late 15th Century Arming Sword - Royal Armouries Collection

This arming sword in the Royal Armouries Collection dates to the late-15th century and is likely to be of English provenance.

This type of sword is a medium-to-high status sidearm of the late-15th century and into the early 16th century, and would have been worn both with and without armour. It would have been a knightly backup weapon, used in combat both on foot and mounted.

This sword shares some obvious similarities with the Westminster Abbey sword, which has been long associated with Henry V (but now believed to be from Henry VII's funeral achievements). It also shares a number of close similarities with other swords from English churches, and from representations of swords on English funeral effigies and brasses. Due to the state of preservation, it has been suggested that this sword may indeed have been taken from an English church monument in past centuries, where it was likely originally deposited in the late-15th century.

Our replica is a precise, faithful replica, manufactured traditionally in very similar ways to the original. It features a robust cut and thrust Oakeshott Type XVIII blade of just over 30 inches, long curved quillons with characteristic terminals, short grip and prominent solid wheel pommel. The original has some unusual floral engraving at the base of the blade, which we have not replicated, because unfortunately on the original it is too damaged to reproduce with any certainty.

The sheath is made with a wood body and covered with leather. The tip is reinforced with a brass chape that features ornate cut-outs and an acorn tip. At the throat, the leather extends upward and covers part of the guard at the ricasso.

Made by Windlass Steelcrafts, the original can be seen in the Royal Armouries Collection, Object Number IX.1426.

Includes a certificate of authenticity on heavy stock

SPECIFICATIONS:
Overall Length: 37-1/4"
Blade Length: 30-5/8"
Blade Width at Ricasso: 1-3/4"
Blade Distal Taper: 1/32"
Weight: 2 lbs, 13 oz
Material: 1075 high carbon steel
Edge: Double-edged with bevels, unsharpened
Balance Point: 3-11/16" from guard