Royal Armouries Sword IX.1106. Part of the Royal Armouries Collection by Windlass, the original is a mid-to-late 14th-century hand-and-half sword found in Lake Constance, where Austria, Germany, and Switzerland meet. This sword features a stiff tapered blade, which is double-edged and straight, with an acute tip. It has a hand-and-a-half hilt, which could be used one or two-handed, and a wheel pommel. The blade is of a simple flatted diamond cross-section, but the pommel has some complex and subtle shaping, with the front and back planes uniquely canted inward at the top.
This type of sword may have been used by armored men-at-arms and knights, usually one-handed on horseback or two-handed on foot. Swords like this were used in Europe in the second half of the 14th century and would likely have been familiar to fencing masters like Fiore dei Liberi and used at battles like Sempach in 1386. This sword seems quite specialized for armored combat and half-swording (gripping the blade with one hand), due to the notable stiffness and mass of the blade. The edge geometry is quite obtuse, but the blade has a lot of presence in the strike. Equally, the weighty pommel could be used with good effect to strike in close combat.
This replica is crafted with hand forged blade by a skilled blacksmith using modern 1080 high-carbon steel that is fully tempered and distally tapered for proper weight distribution. The sheath is made with a wood body and covered with leather. The tip is reinforced with a brass chape that features a traditional cut-out. At the throat, the leather extends upward and covers part of the guard at the ricasso. Includes a certificate of authenticity on heavy stock, a tin of Windlass Classic Wax, and a polishing cloth. Made by Windlass Steelcrafts, the original can be seen in the Royal Armories Collection, Object Number IX.1106.
Jon from Unsheathed Sword Reviews –
Looking at the history of swords and how they represent the technology and tactics of their time era is one of the major factors that led us at Unsheathed Sword Reviews into the collecting
addictionhobby. Given that, it is no surprise to anyone that we picked this sword to review.The question this sword poses is this: is it possible to produce a sword that is an accurate representation of a historical piece, has good fit and finish, and performs well, all at a mid-range price point? Unsheathed Sword Reviews gives our opinion on whether Windlass and the Royal Armouries were able to pull it off in our review below.
https://youtu.be/TcRg93-3Ym4
David Weiss –
Good news that we do sharpening at Kult of Athena (even if this is primarily a thruster and not a cutter)
Will Georgiadis (verified owner) –
I just received and am very pleased. Very sturdily built with a firm blade and the peening is well done. I was a little disappointed with the grip as it appears to be injection molded plastic, but at this price I think the pieces other qualities make up for it. This is my first purchase from Windlass and was happy to see Matt Easton named as a historical consultant on the certificate included.
Ernest Kretschmar (verified owner) –
This bade is thick! I had this sword for a month now and still fascinated with it. The blade is very stiff and perfect for the thrust. I also got the KOA sharpening service so it has an edge that bites. The base of the blade I measured at 10.6mm and tapers to a tip of 3.8mm. It has a huge pommel that really does counter act the blade weight. Immediately you feel this balance holding it one handed. This is a direct replica of a medieval sword from the Royal Armouries. Holding it you have a better since of the equipment of the past. Right away my first impression is that this was medieval engineered for serious abuse. It has good blade presence but very controllable. Its good at the cut and great at the thrust. If you have items that need a hole punch through this is the sword to get.