Brazenhead - Brazen Head

Arming Sword

Dated: circa 1530-50

Culture: Italian or Spanish 

Measurements: Blade 94.7 cm. Overall length 107 cm

The sword has a heavy double-edged blade of flattened hexagonal section coming to a short point (associated), formed with a ricasso and cut with a group of small marks capping. There is a pair of narrow fullers on both sides at the forte, iron proto-rapier hilt formed into a pair of quillons with horizontally recurved fishtail terminals. These are cut with a prominent ridge over their respective outer sides. The weapon also features a pair of faceted arms carrying at their head an inverted U-shaped bar ridged en suite with the quillon terminals (broken at one joint).

It has a globular pommel with medial ridge and flattened centres, the outer face deeply incised with a stylised shell. Also comes with a later moulded wire-bound grip, a wooden scabbard with shaped throat covered in modern green velvet and fitted with iron chape with modern leather belt. The hilt is a variation of the Type 16 discussed in A.V.B. Norman, The Rapier and Small-Sword 1460-1820, London 1980, pp. 80-82. A sword with a very closely comparable hilt is alternatively given a Spanish late 15th century attribution by Oakeshott.

Source: © Hermann Historica

A lovely Oakeshott type XV Arming Sword, German, ca. 1350, from Fricker Auction House.

A long Landsknecht Katzbalger,

OaL: 42.7 in/108.5 cm

Blade Length: 36.1 in/91.6 cm

Weight: 2.4 lbs/1078 g

Venice, Italy, ca. 1531-1570, housed at the Royal Armouries War Gallery in Leeds.

A lovely Oakeshott type XVI Arming Sword, probably French, ca. 1330, housed at the Musée de l'Armée.

shot to the heart💥💥💥