Page 73 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

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EUR
▲ FRENCH SWORD As plate armor became more common in
Broken blade Tapering quillons curving the 14th century, swords had to adapt to deal
away from guard Date 14th century ce with it. This powerful sword has a double- OPEAN SW
Origin France edged blade that is wide at the hilt and tapers
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Weight 2 ⁄2lb (1.16kg) rapidly to a sharp point that could penetrate
Length 33 ⁄4in (85.7cm) gaps in an opponent’s armor.
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Sharply tapered point ORDS

▲ ITALIAN SWORD This sword was deposited in the Arsenal of ▼ ENGLISH HAND-AND- Also known as a “bastard sword,” this
Date c.1400ce Alexandria by the Egyptian Mamluk Sultan A-HALF SWORD type of weapon had a long, slender blade,
in 1432. It has a broad, flat blade and a short, primarily for thrusting at an opponent.
Origin Italy sharp point—a style that became more Date Early 15th century ce It had a long ricasso—an unsharpened
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Weight 27 ⁄4oz (760g) common in the mid-16th century. Origin England length of blade—below the cross, allowing
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Length 3 ⁄2ft (1.04m) Weight 3 ⁄2lb (1.54kg) the bearer to grip this area with his left hand
Length 4ft (1.19m) to deliver a powerful two-handed thrust.

Long, thin fuller
Ricasso
Blade heavily
nicked and corroded

Sharp point for
“Scent-stopper” pommel ▲ ENGLISH This is one of around 80 swords found near penetrating plate
CASTILLON SWORD the battlefield of Castillon, in France, where the
Date Mid-15th century ce French defeated the English in 1453. These swords
mostly had sharply tapering points. Although the
Origin England
blade of this sword is heavily corroded, traces of
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Weight 2 ⁄4lb (1kg) the original wooden grip and gilding survive.
Length 3 ⁄2ft (1.09m)
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◀ FLEMISH SWORD Both the hilt and the pommel of this
Date 1460ce extremely ornate sword were gilded.
The grip carved from black horn was
Origin Southern Europe made to flow into the fish-shaped pommel.
Weight 3lb (1.34kg) The double-edged blade has four sides that
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Length 34 ⁄4in (88.3cm) taper to a very sharp point.

Curved tip
Broad blade with central fuller
▼ ENGLISH SHORT SWORD Single-edged short swords were ideal for use
Date 1480–1520ce against lightly armored opponents and were
often used by ordinary soldiers across northwest
Origin England Europe in the 14th and 15th centuries. The
Rear quillon bent Weight 20 ⁄2oz (570g) backward-extending rear quillon provided
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toward blade Single-edged blade
Length 27in (69cm) additional protection for the gripping hand.