Late Century Viking Sword

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CAUTION – THIS IS A FULLY FUNCTIONAL MARTIAL WEAPON – DECOMISSION THE BLADE BEFORE WALL MOUNTING. DO NOT USE FOR SPARRING. DO NOT USE FOR THEATRICAL OR RE-ENACTMENT PURPOSES. CHECK THE LAWS IN YOUR STATE OR COUNTRY PERTAINING TO WEAPONS OWNERSHIP BEFORE MAKING YOUR PURCHASE. STORE SAFELY AND HANDLE WITH CAUTION.

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Interwoven iron rings, known as chain-mail or simply mail, formed the standard armour used in battle for over a millennium. Warriors of many centuries, from Roman legionnaires to knights of the crusades, relied on hauberks (shirts) of mail. Against armour of this type, a blade form emerged that nearly as long-lived as the mail itself. These were wide and flat, tapering little in width, yielding an optimal shape for executing powerful cuts. This type of blade was passed through the ages and was as favored by the Vikings as it was by the peoples the preceded and followed them.

Though the blades varied little, existing swords of the Viking era show a wide variety in hilt components. We see swords from the late Viking era that illustrate everything from typically Viking hilts to classic wheel-pommeled knightly swords. One form of hilt that saw use in the Viking age and in the transition to the High Middle Ages is known as the "gaddhjalt." People of the Viking era were known to name things in a very literal manner (there is a well-known story of a sword named "Leg-Biter"): "gaddhjalt" literally means "spike hilt." This form gets its name from a long, slender guard that tapers in thickness toward its ends. This guard is often paired with a brazil-nut-shaped pommel (as is the case with this example). These swords saw their highest level or popularity between 1000 and 1150 AD, and were (without doubt) also used in the First Crusade.

Measurements and Specifications:

Weight: 1.427 kg

Overall length: 93 cm

Blade length: 75.5 cm

Blade width: 6.1 cm at base

Grip length: 10.4 cm

Guard width: 18 cm

Point of Balance: 6 3/4 inches from guard

Center of Percussion: ~20 3/4 inches from guard

Oakeshott typology: Type Xa blade, Style 1 guard, Type A pommel

Handling Characteristics

Though its point of balance may seem, on paper, to be placed rather far out, this sword handles very well. The taper of the long blade no doubt has a hand in this. The sword flows easily through cuts I made without any sign of being sluggish or slow to recover, with no unusual vibrations during cutting. While it worked quite well from a standing position, I feel this sword would probably be at its most effective when raining down blows from horseback. The longer blade would give added reach against un-mounted opponents while the blade presence would give the cut the "pop" it needs. As a thrusting weapon, its point is more suitable than most swords of the era, though the balance lends this sword best to heavy cutting.

Some modern reproductions of this sword type have relatively thin grips, which are only comfortable to wield when wearing gloves. Ungloved, they seem fine at first, but then cause some mild cramping in the hand after a few minutes of wielding. This sword, however, has a 3.7cm wide grip with two cord risers, so it’s designed for comfort.

While I would not classify this as a quick sword (it’s best to be honest about these things) it is an agile one. The long blade makes for a sword that is well suited for long sweeping cuts from the back of a horse. It would also give good service to a warrior fighting on foot, allowing him a good sense of reach from behind his shield. Cutting with this sword (using the traditional Japanese cutting medium of rolled and water-soaked tatami mats) yields no surprises. The sword tacks well into and out of any cut. All cuts can be cleanly executed with no perceivable vibration being felt. Despite the serviceable point, this is a sword dedicated to the cut. Nevertheless, the sword would have been reasonably effective against the mail and soft body armors of its period. Whether fighting in a shield wall, or trying to defeat the same from horseback, this sword (and those originals it is based upon) would be well-suited to the task.

This handsome functional weapon would not have been out of place in the hand of a Viking or at the Battle of Hastings. It handles just as you would imagine a sword from this time to handle: with a great deal of authority in the cut without being sluggish or clumsy.

Fit and Finish

This is a really well-executed sword. The thickness of the pommel tapers away from the hand, while the pommel's edges taper more. These three-dimensional qualities are things most photos don't show fully and are details often missed by modern makers. The grip's black leather cover is, as always, expertly finished. Cord risers (rings of cord placed underneath the leather grip cover) really contribute to a solid and secure grip. The blade tapers in width and thickness as it moves away from the grip. The blade is also nicely finished. The fuller extends to within 20cm of the point and is evenly and cleanly finished throughout. All of the parts are fit tightly together with no gaps and no rattling.

• With Scabbard
• Sharp
• EN45 steel blade
• Hand forged
• Full tang
• Free postage for Australia & New Zealand

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