Royal Armouries swords at Museum Replicas Limited (USA): bit.ly/3V9MGeV Royal Armouries Shop (UK): shop.royalarmouries.org/collections/windlass-swords www.youtube.com/@RoyalArmouriesMuseum/store
Object number: IX.1016. A beautiful and simple style. A weight of only 1050g, and a blade 91cm long and 3.7cm wide. It would appeal to numerous people for different reasons.
This matter of nomenclature - that for ancient people "it was simply a sword" - reminds me of the matter of the names of various dishes. What do I mean? For example, when I was a child, it was obvious to me that a casserole had a certain appearance. And specific ingredients. But it was a tradition in our home, sometimes in our region. And then I went to another city, ordered a casserole and the waiter brought me something completely different. That's why some expert may add additional differentiating names, but as long as you are a person in one region and everyone around you makes these casseroles similarly... It's just a casserole for you and you can't imagine any other! :)
The cinquedea fulfils the same role as the messer from my perspective. I'm happy you mentioned it at the end. And I don't mean this connection because of the grip's riveted style and lack of a dedicated pommel (so a knife), but due to the thumb on the blade that just makes sense on such a wide blade (those notches help to grip the sword in that way as well). The notches on the grip also facilitate the rapid extraction of the short sword from the scabbard (hook the small finger in as you draw it out). So this is a self-defence sword meant to be carried with you all the time (why shorter is better). In this regard, considering its use and intent, I see it as an Italian messer.
24:00 there is actually a 16th century yemeni short sword made from an italian partisan blade, which really looks like a cinquedea (private collection, Mk Antiques)
I can imagine someone picking up a battle broken partizan as a emegancy weapon on the battle field, using it as a sword, surviving and thinking that worked well and getting a sword smith to make a handled sword from a battered partizan
That was a great discussion. Iason was knowledgeable, polite and humble (almost too much] and interacted nicely with Matt. I'd gladly listen to his opinions on whatever you've got stowed away in the armoury ........ schiavona and katsbalger perhaps?
When I lived in Harrogate I was a member of the Royal Amouries. They offered monthly Saturday "classes" where they taught topics that are not displayed in the museum and behind-the-scenes exhibits. Great place.
One of my favorite short swords is the Swiss Degen. I carry one as part of my early 16th century Reislaufer kit. Given the strong swiss and German presence in northern Italy at the time, it's exciting to think of how these two swords might have met on the battlefield. Infact it strikes me as curious that there seems to be a strong theme on these weapons from these interconnected cultures around the late 15th/early 16th century weapons existing on a wide spectrum between dagger and sword
Fascinating I've always been curious about the cinquedea because I'd only seen the "shorter" if you can call an 18" dagger short ones there in the Royal Armouries 🙂 This reminded me of Dr Tobias's theory about them being the early Italian remembrance of the classical period and their obvious place as very ornate sidearms meant to push the limit of what was considered a dagger or a sword, I've always been curious whether anyone's actually managed to find more to it or not? 🙂 And yes please I'd like to see a schiovona I love those things, being part Scottish my family introduced me to the Claymore before I'd been to Italy and seen one, the contrast makes them so sleek for something you'd use in a lot of the same ways 😊
Yes please, more RA! A theatrical sword-master I worked with many years ago in a production of R&J had us banging away at each other with bucklers in one hand and a very similar broad blade and what I thought of then in my very young mind as a Roman short sword.
The theory of the uniform handle originating from a very local tradition is intriguing. An example where we know it came from but it never was exclusive is the roman ring pommel sword of the 2nd and 3rd century. One of the recently discovered dead sea swords has one, but only one.
The man just has so much knowledge! Personality I'd love nothing better than the two of you sitting down for longer form discussions on some of what you've been talking about.
You lucky sob, I'm super jelly you get to go to these wonderful museums and factories to handle all these beautiful weapons 😂 Great video as always Matt. 👍👍
I had heard from a fencing master that these were a work around for ordinances banning swords in Italian walled cities at the time, as they were deemed as "daggers"
Iason Tzouriadis's and Matt's discussion about how weapons become tied in to the identity of a localised group - as a Scot, this really resonates with me. Sgian dubh, dirks, claymores, Scottish targes, Scottish all-steel pistols, to the much earlier depictions of swords with downswept quillons - weapons have a long and strong link to Scottish identity. And it persists to this day. The dress swords of officers in the Royal Regiment of Scotland is the highland broadsword with a basket hilt. Many who wear a kilt will also wear a sgian dubh in their sock.
My guess would be that the cinquedea are a development and an enlargement of the Roman pugio dagger. And I thought I read somewhere that the blades of the cinquedea slowly grew wider and wider primarily to allow a larger space for decoration on the scabbard. Is that right do you think??? The only reason for the distinctive crossguard construction on the original, that I can think of is that it would allow the maker to 'fit' both sides of the quillons to the flats of both sides of the blade, following the shape of the fullers by filing. This allows the crossguard to fit almost perfectly to the blade. Rather than having to make a slot for the blade to go through (usually at the bottom of a shallow rebate) on a usual crossguard. How is the crossguard fitted to the windlass reproduction? As it looks like the tang is too wide for a slotted crossguard to go over it. Did they copy the 'sandwhich' technique of the original??? If so, I'm impressed with the design.
But why were Roman daggers so wide? This is another puzzle! I once suspected that they could also be used for digging in the ground as a small shovel, but... I guess that wasn't the point. However, the cinquedea seems so wide that it may make it difficult for the opponent to grab the blade even when wearing a protective glove.
The construction of the guard as two halves sandwiching the blade/tang is one I've been using for over forty years rehilting all manner of blades. :p It's very easy to do, and in fact perhaps can put much less stress on the blade/tang junction at impact. A similar case exists for, say, many Eastern European or Central and South Asian swords, where the guard doesn't meet the blade/tang either by being like a "collar" over the wooden part of the grip, or attached by a space filling cutler's adhesive. Prevents the guard from acting as a "pry bar" on the blade/tang junction. In any case, it's nice after all this time to get bittersweet vindication after decades of being told it was "wrong" and I "don't know what (I'm) doing." 😂 And apropos as what inspired me to try doing it that way from the start? Pictures from museums of--cinquedea!! 😊
This is one of my favorite weapons which is simultaneously not at all a favorite weapon. I first saw a cinquedea in the Eyewitness Arms & Armor book and was transfixed. It seemed so squat and ugly, yet at the same time elegant and practical. It became the grunt weapon for my bad guy action figures. Now I love the thing. For its deceptively basic design, its uniqueness. But I still don't think I'd waltz into a fray with one. Beautiful job on the replica. I'm sorely tempted.
The murmur and look you give the camera when Tzouriadis mentions the partisan coming from Italy - it was sensual. :o That takes a passion for the subject!
LOVE THEM. Shield and sword in a one stop easy carry package. Easy edge alignment for cutting, great for piercing, can block and catch points and large swung weapons. Treated as a non-tool when it is just a brush clearing machete with a reinforced point and a cross guard all of amazing craftsmanship - might replace the Panga Machete in Africa and stop all the reverse use for piercing with a floppy tip if made cheap
My two cents. It might be possible that the elongated triangle shape of the blade may have been an aid to cutting/slashing attacks. Kind of like a curved blade. Only as the blade tip is still in line with the rest of the weapon it is good for thrusting. The tip looks like it's somewhat reinforced so it could possibly deal with armor ok. Last but not least when one thrusts with the blade given that it gets wider as you move back from the tip it limits how deep the thrust might go making it less likely the blade is going to get stuck in your opponent. As well it would likely make a relatively nasty wound.
It strikes me that this would be a very difficult blade to try to grab with your hand if someone was swinging it at you, you could try to pinch grip it but it would be almost impossible to wrap your hand entirely around it while still being able to grip it hard enough that it doesn't get pulled through your hand.
Thats awesome! Its a great self defense weapon. Though the best EDC ones are the very short ones that are easy to conceal but still do seriousc cutting rendering damage
The sword guard reminds me of earlier Medieval Arming Swords where the hand guard more so pointed forwards. Crescent guards began to appear on Jian during the Jin Dynasty. Scarlet Sunrise is a modern recreation of such.
I've always love the look of a cinquedea, which in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful blades around. It is interesting that he said that precursors dated all the way back to the 13th century. Where would you say the point of balance is from the quillon?
Cinquedea and Schiavona are some of the most interesting and less researched European swords. I'd love to hear more about them, yes please! Is dr. Tzouriadis' research available somewhere?
There aren't a lot of Cinquedea replicas outh there so, i'm glad that Windlass did one at all. I just wish they had done the end of the fullers at the point a bit better.
To me, it looks like a good sidearm for a pikeman. I can see it catching and breaking pike shafts quite easily. It appears to be quite handy, and strong.
I have made a more plain version of one of these, I carry it at Renaissance Festival every year it gets a lot of comments. It's a bit shorter 21" but it's very easy to carry, and you don't have to worry about bumping it into anyone.
Like later era Italian Falchions with swept-hilt like hand guards, Crab Claw Broadsword, Horseman's Battle Axe, 16th century battle axe, 1820 Italian Navy Sword, 1852 Italian Navy Sword, 1880 Lion Head Italian Navy Sword, Italian Boarding Sword, 1880 Cavalry Saber, 1871 Cavalry Trooper Saber, Italian Dueling Saber, Corseca Partisan, Pole Hammer, and La Beidana.
after watching this video here's what I think. People had really good gloves and used them a lot for things like riding and fashion. Secondly, a thin blade can be wider and be strong from the width, but because it's so thin be easy to sharpen often to a very fine edge. but perhaps more importantly, people had really good gloves, in a situation where people already in close quarters need to produce their sword, it is actually reasonable for someone in gloves to grab the blade of another persons sword before they get to properly swing it. A very wide blade will be much harder to grab, and if you can't get a good grip on it, then a sharp blade will still cut through your gloves, so any grip someone can manage to get on the blade will still leave them vulnerable to being cut but the blade if the user pulls on it. So I kind of think the cinquedea is intended to be used by someone who will be in crowded areas who really does not want someone to be able to grab the blade,, and both a thin and sharp sword and a wide blade would counter someone trying to get a grip on it. A thicker spine, and narrow blade on the other hand, is more possible to grip to prevent slipping into a cut, and also because it is thicker there is a significant workload for regular sharpening meaning it is much more likely that the blade is ALSO duller as a result, making it even easier to grip.
Fantastic episode. I was stationed in central Germany for a long period in the early 2000s. I loved going to the armories and speaking to the experts about the design and evolution of weapons. Once in southern Germany a curator explained to me (disclaimer might be pure speculation) when you see a weapon that has slabbed handle/grips it might be because there where prohibitions on certain classes carrying swords, but all free men could carry a knife. So some of the swords were made to accommodate a single hand (like a knife) they had slabs covering the grips(like common knives). He likened it to how everytime a weapon is banned in the USA manufacturers figure a way around the regulations. Like I said might be pure speculation, but he articulated his case very well.
Looking at it with admittedly very little formal training, the hilt looks to be so designed as to enable the welder to change grip very easily but also maintain edge alignment, and with all that steel in the hilt and the upper part of the blade I'd guess the PoB is only a few inches in front of the cross guard, so it would be more nimble than it initially looks.
Regarding grip, i personally believe that this thing was held between the end user's upper and lower gums, by the blade, and required near super human neck strength to wield effectively...
Regarding Schiavona: object number IX.1016. A beautiful and simple style for a Type 2a from the late 1600s. An overall weight of only 1050g, a blade 91cm long and 3.7cm wide. It would appeal to numerous people for different reasons. In particular, it's a cut-focused blade that I suspect it's quite thin to achieve the stated overall weight considering the listed dimensions for the blade.
Wheel pommel swords were the penny-loafer of the medieval world. I want a matched set of cinquedea sword and dagger. Some use the term Anelace interchangeably with cinquedea. The cinquedea may have been an Italian variation within the type.
I would love to see you do a special of some kind on mercenary weapons and their histories, what is known and what is not. I dearly love schiavonas, south German longswords, Swiss sabres and others, but anything but basic information on them is so very hard to find. Francis Drake's forces used something referred to as a "fire pike" and I'm still unclear on what it could be.
I suspect they were meant to resemble the style of earlier bronze age swords. I also think they might have been meant to used sideways (with the thumb on the flat of the blade). I have found that the cinquedea hilt is far more functional in such a grip. At lesst imo. Btw they seem to have been worn & used very similar to the Persian Qame/Georgian Qama/Russian Kindjal which is typically used alone, to both attack & defend/deflect with the flat of the blade.
Royal Armouries swords at Museum Replicas Limited (USA): bit.ly/3V9MGeV
Royal Armouries Shop (UK): shop.royalarmouries.org/collections/windlass-swords
www.youtube.com/@RoyalArmouriesMuseum/store
I have been waiting almost 10 years for either Matt, Skall, or Lindy to cover a schiavona.
This.
Matt did a little in previous years, I guess 8min video or something mentions it ...
Object number: IX.1016. A beautiful and simple style. A weight of only 1050g, and a blade 91cm long and 3.7cm wide. It would appeal to numerous people for different reasons.
Schiavona would be interesting to see but if the royal amouries happen to have an original Katzbalger laying around I‘d be totally up for one!
The Royal Armouries have some of everything in this world 😂
Excellent choices! Not many good, affordable replica ones out there.
Yes I'd love a good replica Schiavona
This one’s a pain to get, you have to drop down behind the Beast Clergyman’s house
😆Man, I wish there was a schiavona in Elden Ring.
In Italy, at the time it was used, the blade was considered a large dagger or knife, "daga maestra", or simply known as "lengua di boe" (ox tongue).
This matter of nomenclature - that for ancient people "it was simply a sword" - reminds me of the matter of the names of various dishes. What do I mean? For example, when I was a child, it was obvious to me that a casserole had a certain appearance. And specific ingredients. But it was a tradition in our home, sometimes in our region. And then I went to another city, ordered a casserole and the waiter brought me something completely different. That's why some expert may add additional differentiating names, but as long as you are a person in one region and everyone around you makes these casseroles similarly... It's just a casserole for you and you can't imagine any other! :)
I vote for a schiavona review.
Those don't get talked about nearly enough!
YES Do the Schiavona Replica!
The cinquedea fulfils the same role as the messer from my perspective. I'm happy you mentioned it at the end. And I don't mean this connection because of the grip's riveted style and lack of a dedicated pommel (so a knife), but due to the thumb on the blade that just makes sense on such a wide blade (those notches help to grip the sword in that way as well). The notches on the grip also facilitate the rapid extraction of the short sword from the scabbard (hook the small finger in as you draw it out). So this is a self-defence sword meant to be carried with you all the time (why shorter is better). In this regard, considering its use and intent, I see it as an Italian messer.
Yes, a Schiavona Royal Armory’s replica would be great
I love the schiavona. I can't imagine a sword person disliking it!
YES schiavona replica and episode please!
I would absolutely live to see a schiavona video.
I love the idea that a cinquedea started life as a broken partisan used by hardened Italian soldiers. Much like swashbuckling and wearing a tie.
24:00 there is actually a 16th century yemeni short sword made from an italian partisan blade, which really looks like a cinquedea (private collection, Mk Antiques)
The grip looks very similar to the roman pugio, especially with being decorated
the overall shape of them and that hilt really reminds me of the pugio!
I can imagine someone picking up a battle broken partizan as a emegancy weapon on the battle field, using it as a sword, surviving and thinking that worked well and getting a sword smith to make a handled sword from a battered partizan
That was a great discussion. Iason was knowledgeable, polite and humble (almost too much] and interacted nicely with Matt. I'd gladly listen to his opinions on whatever you've got stowed away in the armoury ........ schiavona and katsbalger perhaps?
A cinquedea longsword hybrid would be cool
The Albion Principe is kind of like that. Best cutting sword.
I think that existed a 1 hand sword but after that lenghness they stopped(too much heavy I guess? Or maybe too much large (not thick but large))
When I lived in Harrogate I was a member of the Royal Amouries. They offered monthly Saturday "classes" where they taught topics that are not displayed in the museum and behind-the-scenes exhibits. Great place.
Totally out of my period but one of my favourite swords. I Iike to imagine Montagues and Capulets going at each other with cinquedea.
Windlass made a schiavona years back. At the time i could not afford one. I would love for them to bring it back. Along with their qama they produced.
Always liked them, but after my trip to Tuscany some years ago, I had to have one. Now I can!!
What a fascinating gentleman, I hope you do more work with him...and I'd love to see something about the Schiavona!
In my head, this is a DWARVEN weapon design...
Markarth special
One of my favorite short swords is the Swiss Degen. I carry one as part of my early 16th century Reislaufer kit. Given the strong swiss and German presence in northern Italy at the time, it's exciting to think of how these two swords might have met on the battlefield.
Infact it strikes me as curious that there seems to be a strong theme on these weapons from these interconnected cultures around the late 15th/early 16th century weapons existing on a wide spectrum between dagger and sword
For about 70 years , swabian Hohenstaufen dynasty had been also Kings of Naples.
Fascinating I've always been curious about the cinquedea because I'd only seen the "shorter" if you can call an 18" dagger short ones there in the Royal Armouries 🙂
This reminded me of Dr Tobias's theory about them being the early Italian remembrance of the classical period and their obvious place as very ornate sidearms meant to push the limit of what was considered a dagger or a sword, I've always been curious whether anyone's actually managed to find more to it or not? 🙂
And yes please I'd like to see a schiovona I love those things, being part Scottish my family introduced me to the Claymore before I'd been to Italy and seen one, the contrast makes them so sleek for something you'd use in a lot of the same ways 😊
That'd be fun with a buckler.
Cinquedea: the Renaissance Five Finger Death Punch!
Yes please, more RA! A theatrical sword-master I worked with many years ago in a production of R&J had us banging away at each other with bucklers in one hand and a very similar broad blade and what I thought of then in my very young mind as a Roman short sword.
The theory of the uniform handle originating from a very local tradition is intriguing. An example where we know it came from but it never was exclusive is the roman ring pommel sword of the 2nd and 3rd century. One of the recently discovered dead sea swords has one, but only one.
So very appreciate this video
Yay! I absolutely love these. They just have a cool look!
The man just has so much knowledge! Personality I'd love nothing better than the two of you sitting down for longer form discussions on some of what you've been talking about.
I can just listen to Iason Eleftherios Tzouriadis all day, such a calming voice.
Definitely not an easy Appendix Carry option
😂
They were commonly worn across the back, Kidney Carry
Not with this attitude, no.
+][+
That's the bollocks knife
About as safe as appendix carrying a Sig 320
just got my cinquedea! awesome sword i love it, really nice work and im glad you chose this for the royal armouries series of swords!
More Mat Easton videos, LETS GOO!!
Been really getin interested in cinquedeas recently, this video is a sudden blessing, cant wait to hear about it
Reminds me of much earlier arming swords. I guess it was an "everything old is new again" situation.
hurrah for iason, a fellow Greek in teh Royal Armoury, so proud!
κάνει το επάγγελμα που θα ήθελα να κάνω! τυχερός και άξιος!
Ever since assassin’s creed 2, the cinquedea has been a closet favorite of mine
Fascinating discussion! I would love to see more of Iason on the channel. I love his videos on the Royal Armouries channel.
You lucky sob, I'm super jelly you get to go to these wonderful museums and factories to handle all these beautiful weapons 😂 Great video as always Matt. 👍👍
Thank you, Jason and Matt!
I had heard from a fencing master that these were a work around for ordinances banning swords in Italian walled cities at the time, as they were deemed as "daggers"
Iason Tzouriadis's and Matt's discussion about how weapons become tied in to the identity of a localised group - as a Scot, this really resonates with me. Sgian dubh, dirks, claymores, Scottish targes, Scottish all-steel pistols, to the much earlier depictions of swords with downswept quillons - weapons have a long and strong link to Scottish identity. And it persists to this day. The dress swords of officers in the Royal Regiment of Scotland is the highland broadsword with a basket hilt. Many who wear a kilt will also wear a sgian dubh in their sock.
Outstanding blade!
My guess would be that the cinquedea are a development and an enlargement of the Roman pugio dagger. And I thought I read somewhere that the blades of the cinquedea slowly grew wider and wider primarily to allow a larger space for decoration on the scabbard. Is that right do you think??? The only reason for the distinctive crossguard construction on the original, that I can think of is that it would allow the maker to 'fit' both sides of the quillons to the flats of both sides of the blade, following the shape of the fullers by filing. This allows the crossguard to fit almost perfectly to the blade. Rather than having to make a slot for the blade to go through (usually at the bottom of a shallow rebate) on a usual crossguard. How is the crossguard fitted to the windlass reproduction? As it looks like the tang is too wide for a slotted crossguard to go over it. Did they copy the 'sandwhich' technique of the original??? If so, I'm impressed with the design.
But why were Roman daggers so wide? This is another puzzle! I once suspected that they could also be used for digging in the ground as a small shovel, but... I guess that wasn't the point. However, the cinquedea seems so wide that it may make it difficult for the opponent to grab the blade even when wearing a protective glove.
Man, Thank you for adding one of these to your line. I’ve been waiting for someone to make a good Cinquedea replica for years.
I definitely do agree that the blade looks like the head of a partisan.
My ever all time favourite sword / knife
The construction of the guard as two halves sandwiching the blade/tang is one I've been using for over forty years rehilting all manner of blades. :p It's very easy to do, and in fact perhaps can put much less stress on the blade/tang junction at impact.
A similar case exists for, say, many Eastern European or Central and South Asian swords, where the guard doesn't meet the blade/tang either by being like a "collar" over the wooden part of the grip, or attached by a space filling cutler's adhesive. Prevents the guard from acting as a "pry bar" on the blade/tang junction.
In any case, it's nice after all this time to get bittersweet vindication after decades of being told it was "wrong" and I "don't know what (I'm) doing." 😂 And apropos as what inspired me to try doing it that way from the start? Pictures from museums of--cinquedea!! 😊
I find these subjects so fascinating
What a beautiful replica, I think that would be top of my list out of the Easton x Royal armouries x Windlass line .... so unique.
Great conversation, I really enjoyed that.
This is one of my favorite weapons which is simultaneously not at all a favorite weapon.
I first saw a cinquedea in the Eyewitness Arms & Armor book and was transfixed. It seemed so squat and ugly, yet at the same time elegant and practical. It became the grunt weapon for my bad guy action figures.
Now I love the thing. For its deceptively basic design, its uniqueness. But I still don't think I'd waltz into a fray with one.
Beautiful job on the replica. I'm sorely tempted.
The murmur and look you give the camera when Tzouriadis mentions the partisan coming from Italy - it was sensual. :o That takes a passion for the subject!
Thanks for correcting the way.I've been mispronouncing the name of that sword
Thank you for the video ⚔️
Fascinating peace of history
Just got my copy - a beautiful sword
Was waiting for this one since you mentioned it upcoming...
LOVE THEM. Shield and sword in a one stop easy carry package.
Easy edge alignment for cutting, great for piercing, can block and catch points and large swung weapons.
Treated as a non-tool when it is just a brush clearing machete with a reinforced point and a cross guard all of amazing craftsmanship
- might replace the Panga Machete in Africa and stop all the reverse use for piercing with a floppy tip if made cheap
I just received my Royal Armouries Cinquedea. It's beautiful. I need to figure out a belt for it but I'm still enjoying playing with it.
My two cents. It might be possible that the elongated triangle shape of the blade may have been an aid to cutting/slashing attacks. Kind of like a curved blade. Only as the blade tip is still in line with the rest of the weapon it is good for thrusting. The tip looks like it's somewhat reinforced so it could possibly deal with armor ok. Last but not least when one thrusts with the blade given that it gets wider as you move back from the tip it limits how deep the thrust might go making it less likely the blade is going to get stuck in your opponent. As well it would likely make a relatively nasty wound.
Look like a cross between an Anglo-Saxon sword & a Gladius
I've like the cinquedea since firstI learned of it. Quite the blade.
Def do the schiavona, plz
It strikes me that this would be a very difficult blade to try to grab with your hand if someone was swinging it at you, you could try to pinch grip it but it would be almost impossible to wrap your hand entirely around it while still being able to grip it hard enough that it doesn't get pulled through your hand.
Thats awesome! Its a great self defense weapon. Though the best EDC ones are the very short ones that are easy to conceal but still do seriousc cutting rendering damage
The sword guard reminds me of earlier Medieval Arming Swords where the hand guard more so pointed forwards.
Crescent guards began to appear on Jian during the Jin Dynasty. Scarlet Sunrise is a modern recreation of such.
I appreciate the attempt with the green screen
... I have a new desire. I love swords like this.
The whole partisan thing broke my mind.
I've always love the look of a cinquedea, which in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful blades around. It is interesting that he said that precursors dated all the way back to the 13th century. Where would you say the point of balance is from the quillon?
loved that type of sword ever since i played dragon's dogma when i was 14
Cinquedea and Schiavona are some of the most interesting and less researched European swords. I'd love to hear more about them, yes please! Is dr. Tzouriadis' research available somewhere?
There aren't a lot of Cinquedea replicas outh there so, i'm glad that Windlass did one at all. I just wish they had done the end of the fullers at the point a bit better.
To me, it looks like a good sidearm for a pikeman. I can see it catching and breaking pike shafts quite easily. It appears to be quite handy, and strong.
really cool
I have made a more plain version of one of these, I carry it at Renaissance Festival every year it gets a lot of comments. It's a bit shorter 21" but it's very easy to carry, and you don't have to worry about bumping it into anyone.
I would love a replica Schiavona!
A Matt Easton saber would be great. I think it does look similar to a gladius. At least enough to think a gladius influence is there.
It actually looks more like Luristan bronze swords, and the handle almost looks like one from a qama straightsword
More Italian weapons please
Like later era Italian Falchions with swept-hilt like hand guards, Crab Claw Broadsword, Horseman's Battle Axe, 16th century battle axe, 1820 Italian Navy Sword, 1852 Italian Navy Sword, 1880 Lion Head Italian Navy Sword, Italian Boarding Sword, 1880 Cavalry Saber, 1871 Cavalry Trooper Saber, Italian Dueling Saber, Corseca Partisan, Pole Hammer, and La Beidana.
after watching this video here's what I think. People had really good gloves and used them a lot for things like riding and fashion. Secondly, a thin blade can be wider and be strong from the width, but because it's so thin be easy to sharpen often to a very fine edge. but perhaps more importantly, people had really good gloves, in a situation where people already in close quarters need to produce their sword, it is actually reasonable for someone in gloves to grab the blade of another persons sword before they get to properly swing it. A very wide blade will be much harder to grab, and if you can't get a good grip on it, then a sharp blade will still cut through your gloves, so any grip someone can manage to get on the blade will still leave them vulnerable to being cut but the blade if the user pulls on it. So I kind of think the cinquedea is intended to be used by someone who will be in crowded areas who really does not want someone to be able to grab the blade,, and both a thin and sharp sword and a wide blade would counter someone trying to get a grip on it. A thicker spine, and narrow blade on the other hand, is more possible to grip to prevent slipping into a cut, and also because it is thicker there is a significant workload for regular sharpening meaning it is much more likely that the blade is ALSO duller as a result, making it even easier to grip.
Audio is too quiet. It very much looks like an Italian encountered a messer or a katzbalger and had something made up with Italian flare.
The Roman connection I see is in the pugio which has a somewhat similar blade shape (in general) and a similar hilt design.
This is where my thought went as well. Thank you.
Convergent evolution until you can prove a direct lineage unfortunately
@@theghosthero6173difficult to claim covergent evolution, when your country is literally built on top rome, where the dagger was popular.
Fantastic episode. I was stationed in central Germany for a long period in the early 2000s. I loved going to the armories and speaking to the experts about the design and evolution of weapons. Once in southern Germany a curator explained to me (disclaimer might be pure speculation) when you see a weapon that has slabbed handle/grips it might be because there where prohibitions on certain classes carrying swords, but all free men could carry a knife. So some of the swords were made to accommodate a single hand (like a knife) they had slabs covering the grips(like common knives). He likened it to how everytime a weapon is banned in the USA manufacturers figure a way around the regulations. Like I said might be pure speculation, but he articulated his case very well.
This has been my understanding also.
Looking at it with admittedly very little formal training, the hilt looks to be so designed as to enable the welder to change grip very easily but also maintain edge alignment, and with all that steel in the hilt and the upper part of the blade I'd guess the PoB is only a few inches in front of the cross guard, so it would be more nimble than it initially looks.
Regarding grip, i personally believe that this thing was held between the end user's upper and lower gums, by the blade, and required near super human neck strength to wield effectively...
Regarding Schiavona: object number IX.1016. A beautiful and simple style for a Type 2a from the late 1600s. An overall weight of only 1050g, a blade 91cm long and 3.7cm wide. It would appeal to numerous people for different reasons. In particular, it's a cut-focused blade that I suspect it's quite thin to achieve the stated overall weight considering the listed dimensions for the blade.
Replica Schiavona? Yes Please!!!
Wheel pommel swords were the penny-loafer of the medieval world.
I want a matched set of cinquedea sword and dagger.
Some use the term Anelace interchangeably with cinquedea. The cinquedea may have been an Italian variation within the type.
I would love to see you do a special of some kind on mercenary weapons and their histories, what is known and what is not. I dearly love schiavonas, south German longswords, Swiss sabres and others, but anything but basic information on them is so very hard to find. Francis Drake's forces used something referred to as a "fire pike" and I'm still unclear on what it could be.
The edc currently in England is a spork, is it not 🤭? Oh, just checked, they are banned now too.
These days you can be arrested for being found in possession of a sharp tongue...
@ well played.😂if you could be fined for a dull wit the supporters of tyranny would be broke
I suspect they were meant to resemble the style of earlier bronze age swords. I also think they might have been meant to used sideways (with the thumb on the flat of the blade). I have found that the cinquedea hilt is far more functional in such a grip. At lesst imo.
Btw they seem to have been worn & used very similar to the Persian Qame/Georgian Qama/Russian Kindjal which is typically used alone, to both attack & defend/deflect with the flat of the blade.
Schiavona, yes please!!!!!!!!!