The Armour Archive

Is there any proof that they used 7 1/2 foot great swords, and if not what was the average size

Most period GS would generally fall in the 5 1/2- 6 1/2' range, and probably 7-12 pounds.

Egad 7 1/2 feet!

thats bearing sword size afaik!

Most great swords ranged in the 5 to 7 pounds not 7 to 12.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Alcyoneus:
Most period GS would generally fall in the 5 1/2- 6 1/2' range, and probably 7-12 pounds.</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>



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"As long as there are fanatics there will always be heretics"
http://www.caerdubh.com

Here are two online sources for sword weights:
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/cariadoc/shield_and_weapon_weights.html
http://www.palus.demon.co.uk/Sword_Stats.html

Many of these "2 Handed Swords" are about 4' long, so you'll have to add about 50% to their weight to approximate a 6' GS. So, Cariadoc's examples would range from 6-12#, with only 2 of 7 under 7#

The other lists the shortest being at about 5.9#, but only 4'9", so it would go over 7# at 6'. The lightest is 5.4# at 66.3", so it would be just under 6# at 6'. Most are well above that. Also, without seeing the pictures of the swords he used, I can't tell if he is looking at estocs, or true 2 handers. (app 64 examples)

I've gone through some of my other catalogs, and found the approximations I gave earlier. I would really prefer not to be hit with a 14# GS myself, it would take a lot of fun out of this game.

But I think Calontir's 4.5# limit, uh, silly.



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"Stop letting him hit you!"- advice given to Sir Ulrich von Lichtenstein of Gelderland at the Tournament at Roen

Alcyoneus

The second example is a German collection and the lengths indicate Zweihanders to me. Look in Oakshott’s book on swords, Winterfell is right most 2 handed and bastard swords run 5 to 7 pounds.

Flonzy

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Cheap garb is as bad as plastic armor.
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I'll look, but what you are saying does not agree with the sample presented here of 71 swords. Only 16 of which are under 7#, and all of which are under 6'.

For a proportionate 6' 2 handed sword to weigh between 5-7#, the weight would have to fall in the range of app. 13.3 ounces/foot (1.1ounce/inch) and 18.6 ounces/foot (1.55ounce/inch). Clearly, most of the 14 exceed this as well.

I can pull out this many examples, and more, out of my catalogs. Bastard swords, of course, could be lighter because they were meant to be swung one handed, not so 2 handed or great swords.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by flonzy:
<B>Alcyoneus

the lengths indicate Zweihanders to me. Flonzy

</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

They could also be estocs, length alone indicates little besides length.

To me this side conversation on weight (not that again) just supports the idea that period greatswords just weren't that long which I believe was the original query.

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Non Onme Quod Licet Honestum Est

The longest in the second, larger sample was about 6'6". Ansteorra allows 7 1/2' GS, I guess because they also allow 7 1/2' unpadded polearms.

So then why do we allow such a large sword in the SCA? Pole arms were large, from a bearded axe, to a swiss pike, to a glaive,or a yari spear but no real documentation of 7 1/2 foot great swords. Should we ban swords over 6 feet?

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Thorstenn,
Do or do not, there is no try!

I guess they saw no practical reason not to allow it. It's a 7 1/2' polearm with quillions.

Calontir allows 6' max, but if I want to build a polearm that looks like a GS, but meets PA reqs, I probably could.

[This message has been edited by Alcyoneus (edited 01-09-2004).]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Thorstenn:
Is there any proof that they used 7 1/2 foot great swords, and if not what was the average size</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Okay, I did find one example in Treasures of the Tower.7'7" and 14# 6oz. 55" blade, and 26" grip. It's a early 15thC bearing sword.