As someone who practices mid 17th century fencing, this is a welcome shift. I’ve been talking about bilbos and walooms for years and getting blank stares.
Merry Christmas Matt, thanks for all your work thru the past year, keeping me informed and entertained all year. Cheers. Would love to see a live stream with Lucy...
Quality video as always! Early modern swords, especially certain types common in the 17th century, have always been near and dear to my heart - just like the historical period has been itself. Excited to see you delve into the 17th century more! Also, love that Walloon sword!
Honestly 17th century swords are, in my opinion, some of the best swords designs ever! I'm not as big on curved swords as I am straight ones so having a lot of complex hilted swords with straight blades just hits my heart right
@@johnstuartkeller5244 I've seen something similar in concept, but much more weird and crude. Such a saber from the 18th century. It had a metal shield with holes, something like a Japanese tsuba, but larger, robust and steel. However, the problem was getting it close to the body.
@@Zbigniew_Nowak By your description, I am guessing it is hard to keep close to the body because of the size of the guard? This sounds like a very unusual design, indeed! Is it Swiss? I know some Swiss saber designs look a little out there. Saw one once that was a 2-hand saber with a complex guard that reminded me of a spider's web.
@@johnstuartkeller5244 First Polish regulation sabre Pattern 1785. But the guy said that it was not a specifically "Polish" idea, sabers with such hand guards were popular for some time in various European countries at that time.
As I read, at that time the army functioned completely differently than we understand the army today. This may also explain the diversity of melee weapons. There was no group of generals who determined what the regulations would be for weapons exercises for all soldiers of a given formation. Each local commander trained his men in a method of fighting that he believed was effective according to his experience. This might have worked well. But cooperation between different army teams was already a problem in this situation. The same order could mean something different and each team would maneuver and fight differently. And of course, they didn't create strict definitions of what a given weapon should look like. I've written this before that it's like cooking recipes from your grandma. Each grandmother may understand something slightly different under this name of the cake.
Speaking of the 17th Century, I've had a craving lately for the erroneously named 'Sinclair'-hilt sabers with generous blade lengths. Some I have seen would put the 1796 LC to pitiful shame in the cutting department. But the real shame is that there are no readily available reproductions. In fact, there are extremely few 17th Century reproductions in general, and most that are available are the same that have been available for a quarter of a century now. I'm speaking of production swords, not semi-custom or custom. I love those that you just presented, Matt. Very nice! As far as originals go, I'm currently seeking a nice Bilbo. And Matt, you may cringe at this, but also my all-time favorite, the 1796 HC 😆 Merry Christmas, to Everyone! 🎄
On rapiers, a number of years ago someone developed software to evaluate sword designs for nimbleness. It evaluated weight, several balance points and other factors. Interestingly enough more classic rapiers were fast in thrusting or small tip cutting motions, often extremely fast. Blades like you showed were far faster in any cutting motion. We tested this in our little local group and found it to be true in generall Since then, I've always considered a "rapier" to be a sword design optimized for a sewing machine style of fighting.
I absolutely love the swept hilt broadsword. It's a beautiful hilt type I've always loved. It's a the most successful blade type, basically going from Roman age barbarians to almost 2000 years later. The wire grips are amazing.
Same here. I also thought, given the blade of that lk chen cut/thrust rapier in the bottom left of shot. Obviously different hilt but much longer than the windlass.
Really enjoyed this, I hope to get a 17th century replica as my next addition to my small collection of weapon replicas for display in my man cave. Look forward to more on the 17th C! Merry Christmas!
would be really interested in you looking at this period more as a whole globally because i feel like theres so many interesting designs that either originate, or continue through and reach almost their apex in this century.
That German swept hilt is fantastic. It’s absolutely pristine looking. Brilliant sword. Also, I received the piquet weight 1895 today, only took 3 days to ship to the US!! It’s wonderful and thank you so much for making my holiday wish list come true! When I saw that in the unboxing video I knew I had to have it as soon as you listed it.
Hi Matt, indeed 17th century has been a big lab for swords development, I guess the 40 years war and the Anglo - Dutch wars helped in this regard, at least for service type swords, as well as the Spanish influence on rapiers. However, I find a lot of swords of the period have large blades, and heavy hilts and are massive as a result. It is like adding spices on spices in cooking. At some point, somebody figured out that removing mass here and there would make for a more nimble sword, easier to carry, draw and use, so the swords I like came about: the transitional rapier and the smallsword, but then, it is in the 18th century that specialization in sword design came of age, IMO. So, I prefer the 18th century for sword design, in general.
Yeah..... but in the 17th century you virtually bullet proof knights in armor, the finalized versions of late medieval weapons, bayonets, flipping heavy small arms, combitions gun and melee weapons and munition plate armor. Along with conflicts on the high seas and the new world. You could it is the roughest and tumble period for swords in general. Those lighter blade might not have withstood the abuse. Changes in warfare by firearm advancement allow for convient lighter swords.
I'd love to see a holiday stream with the Eastons! Those streams have become a tradition for me! Also looking forward to more 17th century swords in the New Year. Best wishes!
Fantastic swords Matt, I love the designs of swords between the Middle Ages and the Industrial Revolution, and I'm definitely excited to see more videos on that topic from you! Merry Christmas!
Where'd you first see one? First one I ever saw was in the opening credits of Richard Lester's Three Musketeers, very distinctive. I finally got my hands on one a few years ago, and I love it.
@@johnstuartkeller5244 First place I ever saw a Walloon sword was in a book on historical weapons when I was a kid. Didn't pay much attention to it at the time though. Then a couple of years ago I took a deep dive into broadswords and took a real liking to it.
17th century is my favourite historical period. So happy you are going to address it in your 2025 videos! I want to know everything about 17th century blades, including hangers, dussacks - and even plug bayonets! For some reason infantry blades are often omitted... Merry christmas, Matt!
Merry Christmas, God bless you and yours! Looking forward for more of your talk and handling on baskethilts - especialy South German, Austrian, Bohemian styles of Continental. But to be honest I watch almost all of your production as the information contained in it is very valuable. You offer unique amalgamation of sword scholar, HEMA practitioner, high volume content creator, exposure to broad scale of originals, quiet eloquent with words, also antique merchant. That is not very usual combination of skill sets, in my opinion. :) Honestly we need another Mazansky but for Venetian/Dalmatian and Continental Baskethilts and this time with blades too (Mazansky focuses on hilts predominantly). +][+
people are often not aware of that swords were even more common and diverse in Post medieval history existing alongside hand held firearms than in earlier periods
Like Falcata and Kukuri, 1816 French Artillery Sword and Pompeii Gladius (intentionally so), Elamite Sword and Bronze Jian, Song dynasty Jian and Longsword, Korean Hwandudaedo and Sui Dao, Falchion and Oxtail Dao, Ngulu and Ram-Dao, and Kodachi and Moroccan Dagger.
That swept hilt sword is gorgeous, it almost looks as brand new! Please shoot a closeup video of it, maybe comparing it with the town guard reproduction.
10:05 Would you, as a gentleman, have been wearing gloves? 15:00 What's to stop a narrower blade from thrusting through a big gap in that swept hilt? Chainmail gloves?
Hehe, there are three companies making versions of that type of sword, LK Chen, Windlass and Arms & Armor. I've reviewed the first two on this channel, check out the reviews section. However, what I'm showing here is an original antique which is not exactly the same type of sword (longer narrower blade) and I briefly showed the Windlass replica. The LK Chen was not shown in this video.
I am collector of historical weapons too. You are right, I wouldn't call it a Rapier too, its a "Reitschwert" (may you say Horseman-sword) for one Hand. If it has a longer handle (one and a half hand) and no bail over the grip, it is a so called bastard-sword. A Rapier has always a full basket for one hand and is thinner and lighter, actually the ancestor of a saber, thats how I defer. Merry Christmas and thank you for showing us your collection ! PS.: Sorry for my English, greetings from Bavaria
That longsword that looks like the Munich town guard sword from windlass is sweet! Much like the Windlass version. So how do you think that the swept hilt on that relates to a colada? They do seem very similar to me. In fact that might be a good idea for another video - tizonas, coladas and rapiers, and how swords of the Iberian peninsular evolved throughout time, and how they relate to similar styles of swords throughout the rest of Europe (just a suggestion though). In fact why didn't the basket hilt catch on in Spain and Portugal? Maybe it was because the liners in basket hilts kept your hand warm when you were using it? Something not really necessary in 'sunny Spain' I guess??? Spanish swords, apart from rapiers perhaps seem to be a little bit forgotten in the sword world I think, but tizonas and coladas are fantastic designs. Great vid as ever Matt! Mry X.
For a little while now I've been thinking that swords of the 1600's are weirdly overlooked as well. It's cool to hear you're coming to the same thoughts! I would love to hear more about British baskethilts with anywhere that isn't Scotland being focused on. It's rather sad that modern Celtic Scottish ethnonationalism has kind of stolen the very idea of "baskethilt" from everyone else. To my understanding, baskethilts in Britain pretty much had their roots in England, and seemingly lived on their longer than I'd previously known. I don't know how much confusion might come from anything English being lumped under "British", while anything Scottish being allowed to go under "Scottish".
looking at basket hilt stuff makes me wonder if anyone ever just had the hilt have a few spikes sticking out and kinda attach chainmail to them bit like a ships sails
You could look at swords, knives, and daggers from different cultures and time periods that incidentally have rather similar blades. Like the Falcata and Kukuri, 1816 French Artillery Sword and Pompeii Gladius (Gladius was intentionally copied), Elamite Sword and Bronze Jian, Song dynasty Jian and Longsword, Korean Hwandudaedo and Sui Dao, Falchion and Oxtail Dao, Ngulu and Ram-Dao, and Kodachi and Moroccan Dagger.
I really like that swept hilt broadsword, very close to a perfect sword in my eyes, full basket hilts, however great they may be in use, don't look that good to me, too large and clumsy looking. The "Munich sword" is one of my absolute favorite sword designs, I have the Windlass version, and I would love a slightly longer cut-and-thrust "military rapier" with a similar style hilt. Love the walloon too but I think a swept hilt is even more elegant.
How much maintenance do swords (and other weapons, shields, armour), actually require? How often do you have to oil them? Also, what kind of oil do you use? Something like olive oil? Maybe a more synthetic oil? Basically, how do you keep your collection from rusting away while it's in your possession?
That is a great xmas present. I love many of the swords from this era. The Windlass is marketed as a Munich town watch sword (although Munich has been a city since the early 1200's) but I've also seen 18th century Walloons, described as Amsterdam city watch swords. Sadly I've never seen a decent reproduction of a Walloon sword, I guess there isn't enough interest.
Funny. Ive ridden the same horse for the last weeks or months regarding the XVIIth cent... But these "Trends" tend to occur magically to similar times in the fencer/historian/reenacty cirkles. Get some sociologist on that! Lol. Awesome stuff. Gonna go buy a backsword now. 😄
It’s people riding the cultural wave of interest in the time period. It fills in the large gap between medieval fencing and 19th century fencing that most people are familiar with and people dressed cool and non-conservative at least compared to the Middle Ages
Were the hilts made of brass to prevent them from rusting? After all, this part of the weapon always is outside the scabbard, exposed to rain and humid air.
To be completely honest, I have never been clear exactly what type of sword McBane is talking about there. It could be something like a Walloon, or a proto-spadroon. You find a lot of swords at this time superficially fit into neat categories that we like, but one example can be shockingly different in the hand compared to the next. Some Walloons had light and dainty blades, and some have massive great chopper blades. I get the impression that McBane might simply be talking about about light cut and thrust blade, regardless of the specific hilt type.
@ thanks Matt I’ve been wrestling with the same conclusions Btw great video as always thanks for posting and looking forward to your next instalment 👍👍
Good video! And even better acquisitions. 😏 1. No, I didn't know that the brass hilt was asymmetrical, and I saw those with my own eyes, but not for long and I didn't pay attention. 2. 11:25, ok you said famous or main areas for the development of the basket hilt. But I still want to point out the use of tessaks in Norway, and of tessak hilted broadswords. 3. I would still call a backsword any sword with a blade that is only double-edged at the tip. No need to overcomplicate the matter. 4. It's so annoying that we don't have a lot of examples of early sabres from the East. To have the best Avar sabre being called the Sabre of Charlemagne, the guy who crushed the Avars, is such a gut punch. 5. 14:50. oh Matt, I'm not saying that I'm jealous... I am, but I wouldn't say it (dooh! 😅). That is such a beautiful blade on a beautiful hilt. Town Guard Swords go for estoc type blades (in the Italian sense), to keep them short for town use, but also to keep them sturdy for enlisted men to abuse while keeping them thrust focused and easy to use. 6. Yes, what you have is a broadsword. Is it also a rapier because of the hilt? No, because rapier systems wouldn't work as well with it (and you can use swords better adapted for linear and circular rapier systems; so we can even say there is a distinction between linear rapiers and circular rapiers). Riding sword in a modern designation would work (in the original designation, reitschwert, same as spada da lato, or paramerion, just imply the sword you have on you as you ride out the house with, have by your side, have by your hip; so a side arm). 7. That hexagonal blade looks sturdy and should be incredible for cutting. I see them more on Spanish swords (e.g. Bilbo). You should work with someone to have it reproduced for the market. People would love more such a blade for backyard cutting than the Town Guard Sword or any Elector Guard Rapier. Keep it affordable and I would get one.
Hey Matt, quick question: You were wielding the broadsword and talking about how great it feels in the hand. In comparison to Europeans/Brits in the 16th century, you're a huge dude. People back then were on average 5' 4" to 5' 5" and weighed less then we do now, generally. Relatively, how do you think the sword would feel in those hands versus your experience now?
It's a fair point that we are on average a bit taller, 5'10 compared to 5'6 for males in the UK now and then. However, I don't think we are stronger on average. We know what weight range the Mary Rose longbows were and most of us cannot pull those without extensive training. Also, the weight of weapons probably tells us something about their strength, and it was probably comparable with fit modern sportspeople or farmers. Lastly I'd say that while I am just over 6 foot, there were people around in the 1500s of that height and more, which we know from written sources and surviving armour. Henry VIII was taller than me and back in the 15th century Edward IV is thought to have been around 6'6 IIRC.
About Walloon hilted swords. I heard that they weren't actually Wallonian, but Dutch. They got that name because French troops aquired a lot of them during a battle they won against the Dutch in Wallonia. Or at least so i've heard. Also about those long cut-and-thrust swords, in Dutch and German we call them "Houwdegen/Haudegen" respectively which basically means a "hacking sword".
Yes I agree most are Dutch and moreover many of the 'Solingen' marks on the blade are misspelled and known to have been put on for marketing reasons by Dutch makers. 😆
Matt. If you and the Wallace Collection were to put out a copy of a good Walloon sword like this one. You would certainly get me to part with my money. I want a quality mortuary and Pappenheimer style military rapier. Oh and a good copy of that 1788 would be great. Just my two cents sir.
The Walloon hilt reminds me of the small sword and spadroon designs. If they wanted an effective cut and thrust sword in the 18th century why wouldn’t they go back to the Walloon design or put small sword-esque hilts on back sword blades instead of creating the less effective spadroon?
Were sideswords at a big disadvantage in duels versus rapiers? Because for self defense a sidesword seems far superior to a rapier if there are multiple assaillants.
I'm a club man, it's a timeless design. And Merry Christmas Matt and everyone in the comments!
Way to bludgeon us with your opinion chap.
pointed sticks, for me
@@BlairBuskirk I apologize, didn't mean to be blunt
@waelisc ah a man of culture I see
Matt should start a club club league and after games everyone could go clubbing.
Merry Christmas Matt and all other Scholagladiatoria subs.
As someone who practices mid 17th century fencing, this is a welcome shift.
I’ve been talking about bilbos and walooms for years and getting blank stares.
The more I see and hear about bilbos, the more intrigued I become...
Merry Christmas Matt, thanks for all your work thru the past year, keeping me informed and entertained all year. Cheers.
Would love to see a live stream with Lucy...
More Lucy, yes! Merry Christmas to you, Matt and Lucy.
Swords, guns, bulletproof breastplates: the 17th century is truly an amazing period! Merry Christmas, Matt!
Quality video as always! Early modern swords, especially certain types common in the 17th century, have always been near and dear to my heart - just like the historical period has been itself. Excited to see you delve into the 17th century more!
Also, love that Walloon sword!
Honestly 17th century swords are, in my opinion, some of the best swords designs ever! I'm not as big on curved swords as I am straight ones so having a lot of complex hilted swords with straight blades just hits my heart right
That Walloon sword is a piece of art!
The Walloon is one of my top 5 favorite designs.
@johnstuartkeller5244 Nice. Same here
@@johnstuartkeller5244 I've seen something similar in concept, but much more weird and crude. Such a saber from the 18th century. It had a metal shield with holes, something like a Japanese tsuba, but larger, robust and steel. However, the problem was getting it close to the body.
@@Zbigniew_Nowak By your description, I am guessing it is hard to keep close to the body because of the size of the guard?
This sounds like a very unusual design, indeed! Is it Swiss? I know some Swiss saber designs look a little out there. Saw one once that was a 2-hand saber with a complex guard that reminded me of a spider's web.
@@johnstuartkeller5244 First Polish regulation sabre Pattern 1785. But the guy said that it was not a specifically "Polish" idea, sabers with such hand guards were popular for some time in various European countries at that time.
The 17th century has always been my favorite period of history. I love basket hilted swords, particularly the scottish ones.
As I read, at that time the army functioned completely differently than we understand the army today. This may also explain the diversity of melee weapons. There was no group of generals who determined what the regulations would be for weapons exercises for all soldiers of a given formation. Each local commander trained his men in a method of fighting that he believed was effective according to his experience. This might have worked well. But cooperation between different army teams was already a problem in this situation. The same order could mean something different and each team would maneuver and fight differently. And of course, they didn't create strict definitions of what a given weapon should look like. I've written this before that it's like cooking recipes from your grandma. Each grandmother may understand something slightly different under this name of the cake.
Speaking of the 17th Century, I've had a craving lately for the erroneously named 'Sinclair'-hilt sabers with generous blade lengths. Some I have seen would put the 1796 LC to pitiful shame in the cutting department. But the real shame is that there are no readily available reproductions. In fact, there are extremely few 17th Century reproductions in general, and most that are available are the same that have been available for a quarter of a century now. I'm speaking of production swords, not semi-custom or custom. I love those that you just presented, Matt. Very nice! As far as originals go, I'm currently seeking a nice Bilbo. And Matt, you may cringe at this, but also my all-time favorite, the 1796 HC 😆 Merry Christmas, to Everyone! 🎄
On rapiers, a number of years ago someone developed software to evaluate sword designs for nimbleness. It evaluated weight, several balance points and other factors. Interestingly enough more classic rapiers were fast in thrusting or small tip cutting motions, often extremely fast. Blades like you showed were far faster in any cutting motion. We tested this in our little local group and found it to be true in generall
Since then, I've always considered a "rapier" to be a sword design optimized for a sewing machine style of fighting.
17th Century Cool! Another Matt & Lucy show would be wonderful! Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to all!
I absolutely love the swept hilt broadsword. It's a beautiful hilt type I've always loved. It's a the most successful blade type, basically going from Roman age barbarians to almost 2000 years later. The wire grips are amazing.
When I saw the swept-hilt "rapier" I immediately thought of the Munich Town Guard sword. I would definitely love that one for my collection.
Same here. I also thought, given the blade of that lk chen cut/thrust rapier in the bottom left of shot. Obviously different hilt but much longer than the windlass.
Merry Christmas to you and Lucy too.
Really enjoyed this, I hope to get a 17th century replica as my next addition to my small collection of weapon replicas for display in my man cave. Look forward to more on the 17th C! Merry Christmas!
I'm expecting a Munich town guard soon. Merry Christmas cousin!!
@@bobrobinson1576 Haha, yes indeed, Merry Christmas. I've added the Munich town guard to my now very long wishlist/plan, hope you enjoy yours.
Thanks for the video, Matt! Merry Christmas!
would be really interested in you looking at this period more as a whole globally because i feel like theres so many interesting designs that either originate, or continue through and reach almost their apex in this century.
especially given the seemingly global political turmoil of the period
Baskethilts are still used in Germany, Austria and Switzerland at Korbschläger in accademic fencing.
That German swept hilt is fantastic. It’s absolutely pristine looking. Brilliant sword. Also, I received the piquet weight 1895 today, only took 3 days to ship to the US!! It’s wonderful and thank you so much for making my holiday wish list come true! When I saw that in the unboxing video I knew I had to have it as soon as you listed it.
Great to hear!
Hi Matt, indeed 17th century has been a big lab for swords development, I guess the 40 years war and the Anglo - Dutch wars helped in this regard, at least for service type swords, as well as the Spanish influence on rapiers. However, I find a lot of swords of the period have large blades, and heavy hilts and are massive as a result. It is like adding spices on spices in cooking. At some point, somebody figured out that removing mass here and there would make for a more nimble sword, easier to carry, draw and use, so the swords I like came about: the transitional rapier and the smallsword, but then, it is in the 18th century that specialization in sword design came of age, IMO. So, I prefer the 18th century for sword design, in general.
Yeah..... but in the 17th century you virtually bullet proof knights in armor, the finalized versions of late medieval weapons, bayonets, flipping heavy small arms, combitions gun and melee weapons and munition plate armor. Along with conflicts on the high seas and the new world. You could it is the roughest and tumble period for swords in general. Those lighter blade might not have withstood the abuse. Changes in warfare by firearm advancement allow for convient lighter swords.
I'd love to see a holiday stream with the Eastons! Those streams have become a tradition for me! Also looking forward to more 17th century swords in the New Year. Best wishes!
Thank you for the review and information ⚔️ I hope you, your family and friends all have a good holiday 🥃 Sláinte
Fantastic swords Matt, I love the designs of swords between the Middle Ages and the Industrial Revolution, and I'm definitely excited to see more videos on that topic from you!
Merry Christmas!
Oh Yes ! Live Stream please, They are always Fun!
Cheers From California 😎
Please include the CJM in a Windlass Miscelaneous Collection. I want one so badly ...
BTW, cool swords and great discussion.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Have a merry Christmas
I don't know why, but i have grown to love Walloon swords far more than I would have thought.
Where'd you first see one? First one I ever saw was in the opening credits of Richard Lester's Three Musketeers, very distinctive. I finally got my hands on one a few years ago, and I love it.
@@johnstuartkeller5244 First place I ever saw a Walloon sword was in a book on historical weapons when I was a kid.
Didn't pay much attention to it at the time though. Then a couple of years ago I took a deep dive into broadswords and took a real liking to it.
Thanks for another video, and sharing those beautiful swords.
I watched Soloman Cane yesterday night this video is perfect timing 😂😂
I've still not watched that movie yet!
@@scholagladiatoria it's an interesting fiction about morality.
Fantastic channel, appreciate all the time and effort you put into the almost daily content. Merry Christmas.
Beautiful swords, and thanks for this video.
Merry Christmas, Matt!
Merry Christmas, Matt. I have a special love for Scottish basket hilts.
Saor Alba! 🏴 🏴 🏴
Alba gu bráth!
Cheers from Kingdom of Bohemia!
+][+
Feliz Navidad, caballero
Gracias
@@scholagladiatoria Gracias a usted…, Maestro
Thanks for your content, Matt. From across the Pond, Merry Xmas!
Merry Christmas Matt everyone at the club and your family
17th century is my favourite historical period. So happy you are going to address it in your 2025 videos! I want to know everything about 17th century blades, including hangers, dussacks - and even plug bayonets! For some reason infantry blades are often omitted... Merry christmas, Matt!
Happy holidays 🎄🎄
Merry Christmas, God bless you and yours!
Looking forward for more of your talk and handling on baskethilts - especialy South German, Austrian, Bohemian styles of Continental.
But to be honest I watch almost all of your production as the information contained in it is very valuable.
You offer unique amalgamation of sword scholar, HEMA practitioner, high volume content creator, exposure to broad scale of originals, quiet eloquent with words, also antique merchant. That is not very usual combination of skill sets, in my opinion. :)
Honestly we need another Mazansky but for Venetian/Dalmatian and Continental Baskethilts and this time with blades too (Mazansky focuses on hilts predominantly).
+][+
Happy Christmas, Matt! 🎄
They are beautiful weapons. Very much. Especially that German rapier.
Merry Xmas Eastons.
Matt would you please do a video on the best 19 th century swords including non regulation officers sword and their merits.
Yes, I love 17th and 18th century stuff! Such an interesting time period for arms and armour.
A live stream would be great! I've got a few questions for you that would never make for a full video but would be perfect to answer on-stream :)
I've been drooling over the "Munich" sword for years
Absolutely fascinating Matt! Well done. Have a great Xmas!
people are often not aware of that swords were even more common and diverse in Post medieval history existing alongside hand held firearms than in earlier periods
Swords in the medieval era and antiquity weren't main weapons, they were side arms for troops bearing bows, spears or polearms.
A cool video would be about different swords from different eras and cultures that incidentally have very similar blades.
Like Falcata and Kukuri, 1816 French Artillery Sword and Pompeii Gladius (intentionally so), Elamite Sword and Bronze Jian, Song dynasty Jian and Longsword, Korean Hwandudaedo and Sui Dao, Falchion and Oxtail Dao, Ngulu and Ram-Dao, and Kodachi and Moroccan Dagger.
if I'm not mistaken the Bilbao would fall into a similar idea as these, and around the same time.
Yes absolutely!
Merry Christmas Matt to you and your family and all on the channel 😊
Matt, a very Merry Christmas to Lucy and you!🎄❄️
Thanks for the video, Matt. Wishing you & your family a very Merry Christmas🎄
Merry Christmas to you and your boss lady Lucy and your kiddos and hope you all have a Happy New Year New Year
Happy Christmas everybody!
Happy New Year too
Merry Christmas!!!
How about a video on the Brandistock and/or Gisarme? Guisarme?
That swept hilt sword is gorgeous, it almost looks as brand new! Please shoot a closeup video of it, maybe comparing it with the town guard reproduction.
10:05 Would you, as a gentleman, have been wearing gloves?
15:00 What's to stop a narrower blade from thrusting through a big gap in that swept hilt? Chainmail gloves?
Merry Christmas
happy christmas
That last one is called the Munich Town Guard Sword. It's sold by LK Chen. It's been available for some years now.
Hehe, there are three companies making versions of that type of sword, LK Chen, Windlass and Arms & Armor. I've reviewed the first two on this channel, check out the reviews section. However, what I'm showing here is an original antique which is not exactly the same type of sword (longer narrower blade) and I briefly showed the Windlass replica. The LK Chen was not shown in this video.
I am collector of historical weapons too.
You are right, I wouldn't call it a Rapier too, its a "Reitschwert" (may you say Horseman-sword) for one Hand. If it has a longer handle (one and a half hand) and no bail over the grip, it is a so called bastard-sword.
A Rapier has always a full basket for one hand and is thinner and lighter, actually the ancestor of a saber, thats how I defer.
Merry Christmas and thank you for showing us your collection !
PS.: Sorry for my English, greetings from Bavaria
Cut and thrust swords are my favorite style so all versions are welcome.
Merry Christmas friends 😊
That longsword that looks like the Munich town guard sword from windlass is sweet! Much like the Windlass version. So how do you think that the swept hilt on that relates to a colada? They do seem very similar to me. In fact that might be a good idea for another video - tizonas, coladas and rapiers, and how swords of the Iberian peninsular evolved throughout time, and how they relate to similar styles of swords throughout the rest of Europe (just a suggestion though). In fact why didn't the basket hilt catch on in Spain and Portugal? Maybe it was because the liners in basket hilts kept your hand warm when you were using it? Something not really necessary in 'sunny Spain' I guess??? Spanish swords, apart from rapiers perhaps seem to be a little bit forgotten in the sword world I think, but tizonas and coladas are fantastic designs. Great vid as ever Matt! Mry X.
For a little while now I've been thinking that swords of the 1600's are weirdly overlooked as well. It's cool to hear you're coming to the same thoughts! I would love to hear more about British baskethilts with anywhere that isn't Scotland being focused on. It's rather sad that modern Celtic Scottish ethnonationalism has kind of stolen the very idea of "baskethilt" from everyone else. To my understanding, baskethilts in Britain pretty much had their roots in England, and seemingly lived on their longer than I'd previously known. I don't know how much confusion might come from anything English being lumped under "British", while anything Scottish being allowed to go under "Scottish".
looking at basket hilt stuff makes me wonder if anyone ever just had the hilt have a few spikes sticking out and kinda attach chainmail to them bit like a ships sails
You could look at swords, knives, and daggers from different cultures and time periods that incidentally have rather similar blades.
Like the Falcata and Kukuri, 1816 French Artillery Sword and Pompeii Gladius (Gladius was intentionally copied), Elamite Sword and Bronze Jian, Song dynasty Jian and Longsword, Korean Hwandudaedo and Sui Dao, Falchion and Oxtail Dao, Ngulu and Ram-Dao, and Kodachi and Moroccan Dagger.
Yes Christmas live stream!
I want that first basket-hilt sooooooooo badly!
@scholagladiatoria Can you do a video on unsheathing comparisons? the quickness and ease of unsheathing compared?
Merry Christmas 🎄🎅👍🏼👍🏼
I really like that swept hilt broadsword, very close to a perfect sword in my eyes, full basket hilts, however great they may be in use, don't look that good to me, too large and clumsy looking. The "Munich sword" is one of my absolute favorite sword designs, I have the Windlass version, and I would love a slightly longer cut-and-thrust "military rapier" with a similar style hilt. Love the walloon too but I think a swept hilt is even more elegant.
How much maintenance do swords (and other weapons, shields, armour), actually require?
How often do you have to oil them? Also, what kind of oil do you use? Something like olive oil? Maybe a more synthetic oil?
Basically, how do you keep your collection from rusting away while it's in your possession?
That is a great xmas present. I love many of the swords from this era.
The Windlass is marketed as a Munich town watch sword (although Munich has been a city since the early 1200's) but I've also seen 18th century Walloons, described as Amsterdam city watch swords. Sadly I've never seen a decent reproduction of a Walloon sword, I guess there isn't enough interest.
Joyeux Noël from France!
6:30 Any chance you might do a video about said sword of Charlemagne? Sounds intriguing.
What is the blade lenght and distal taper of the german blade and the sword of the minute 12:14 ?
I have a Pappenheimer, which is a favorite.
Absolutely terrifying, imagine having to face off against a skilled well drilled British swordsman sends shivers down my spine.
It was a great period for hands and fingies for sure.
Funny. Ive ridden the same horse for the last weeks or months regarding the XVIIth cent...
But these "Trends" tend to occur magically to similar times in the fencer/historian/reenacty cirkles.
Get some sociologist on that! Lol.
Awesome stuff. Gonna go buy a backsword now. 😄
It’s people riding the cultural wave of interest in the time period. It fills in the large gap between medieval fencing and 19th century fencing that most people are familiar with and people dressed cool and non-conservative at least compared to the Middle Ages
Were the hilts made of brass to prevent them from rusting? After all, this part of the weapon always is outside the scabbard, exposed to rain and humid air.
Would the Walloon sword be basically what McBane classed as a “hewing sword” Matt ?
I’m struggling to get my head around the contemporary terms 😎
To be completely honest, I have never been clear exactly what type of sword McBane is talking about there. It could be something like a Walloon, or a proto-spadroon. You find a lot of swords at this time superficially fit into neat categories that we like, but one example can be shockingly different in the hand compared to the next. Some Walloons had light and dainty blades, and some have massive great chopper blades. I get the impression that McBane might simply be talking about about light cut and thrust blade, regardless of the specific hilt type.
@ thanks Matt I’ve been wrestling with the same conclusions
Btw great video as always thanks for posting and looking forward to your next instalment 👍👍
The half back broadsword 😮❤
Good video! And even better acquisitions. 😏
1. No, I didn't know that the brass hilt was asymmetrical, and I saw those with my own eyes, but not for long and I didn't pay attention.
2. 11:25, ok you said famous or main areas for the development of the basket hilt. But I still want to point out the use of tessaks in Norway, and of tessak hilted broadswords.
3. I would still call a backsword any sword with a blade that is only double-edged at the tip. No need to overcomplicate the matter.
4. It's so annoying that we don't have a lot of examples of early sabres from the East. To have the best Avar sabre being called the Sabre of Charlemagne, the guy who crushed the Avars, is such a gut punch.
5. 14:50. oh Matt, I'm not saying that I'm jealous... I am, but I wouldn't say it (dooh! 😅). That is such a beautiful blade on a beautiful hilt. Town Guard Swords go for estoc type blades (in the Italian sense), to keep them short for town use, but also to keep them sturdy for enlisted men to abuse while keeping them thrust focused and easy to use.
6. Yes, what you have is a broadsword. Is it also a rapier because of the hilt? No, because rapier systems wouldn't work as well with it (and you can use swords better adapted for linear and circular rapier systems; so we can even say there is a distinction between linear rapiers and circular rapiers). Riding sword in a modern designation would work (in the original designation, reitschwert, same as spada da lato, or paramerion, just imply the sword you have on you as you ride out the house with, have by your side, have by your hip; so a side arm).
7. That hexagonal blade looks sturdy and should be incredible for cutting. I see them more on Spanish swords (e.g. Bilbo). You should work with someone to have it reproduced for the market. People would love more such a blade for backyard cutting than the Town Guard Sword or any Elector Guard Rapier. Keep it affordable and I would get one.
Hey Matt, quick question: You were wielding the broadsword and talking about how great it feels in the hand. In comparison to Europeans/Brits in the 16th century, you're a huge dude. People back then were on average 5' 4" to 5' 5" and weighed less then we do now, generally. Relatively, how do you think the sword would feel in those hands versus your experience now?
It's a fair point that we are on average a bit taller, 5'10 compared to 5'6 for males in the UK now and then. However, I don't think we are stronger on average. We know what weight range the Mary Rose longbows were and most of us cannot pull those without extensive training. Also, the weight of weapons probably tells us something about their strength, and it was probably comparable with fit modern sportspeople or farmers. Lastly I'd say that while I am just over 6 foot, there were people around in the 1500s of that height and more, which we know from written sources and surviving armour. Henry VIII was taller than me and back in the 15th century Edward IV is thought to have been around 6'6 IIRC.
Are there any examples of half-basket hilt swords? As in like the typical highland broadswords but with only half a basket and an open inner guard.
Good, my favorite period, love the rapier. Does anyone know what the Walloons's called a Walloon hilted sword; 'a sword' perhaps?
Will you show 17th century sabres next please?
Basket hilted are my favourite. Before they became purely thrusting for sure.
Unboxing video missed there Matt! 😅
"It's got quite a lot of width on it, but it's not particularly stiff" - that happens with age, my man.
About Walloon hilted swords. I heard that they weren't actually Wallonian, but Dutch.
They got that name because French troops aquired a lot of them during a battle they won against the Dutch in Wallonia. Or at least so i've heard.
Also about those long cut-and-thrust swords, in Dutch and German we call them "Houwdegen/Haudegen" respectively which basically means a "hacking sword".
Yes I agree most are Dutch and moreover many of the 'Solingen' marks on the blade are misspelled and known to have been put on for marketing reasons by Dutch makers. 😆
@@scholagladiatoria How cheeky of them
Matt. If you and the Wallace Collection were to put out a copy of a good Walloon sword like this one. You would certainly get me to part with my money.
I want a quality mortuary and Pappenheimer style military rapier. Oh and a good copy of that 1788 would be great. Just my two cents sir.
Wow, that "riding sword" looks brand new.
The Walloon hilt reminds me of the small sword and spadroon designs. If they wanted an effective cut and thrust sword in the 18th century why wouldn’t they go back to the Walloon design or put small sword-esque hilts on back sword blades instead of creating the less effective spadroon?
The 1500s and 1600s were very good times for swords.
Though I can say the best sabers (including Hangers and Cutlasses) were mainly made in the 1800s.
Does one get to handle the swords before purchase at an auction? seems kinda important.
Were sideswords at a big disadvantage in duels versus rapiers? Because for self defense a sidesword seems far superior to a rapier if there are multiple assaillants.
This actually relates to a video idea I have and will probably make soon. It's a good question!
Love it!