The Kragehul Bog Sword

Named after the location of the archeological dig where it was found in Denmark, this early Germanic sword is dated from the 4th or 5th century. It is believed to have been part of a sacrificial deposit of valuable items.

Oakeshott, when describing these Type II hilts, says: "The hilt form seems to be a modification of the Type I hilts, brought about by the stretching-out of the upper and lower ends of the grip between the two guards, and the consequent squeezing together of the ridges into a narrow waist at the centre. These grips look quite clumsy, but actually they are very flat, and surprisingly comfortable to hold. Many of them are made of wood covered with bronze or silver or gold, but some are of solid massey bronze..." (Oakeshott, The Archeology of Weapons, p 112)

Köln Spatha

This spatha design by Steven Peffley is based on an original from a Fourth Century CE burial site at Köln, Germany. The British Museum has a similar all-ivory hilt on display and states that this type of hilt was in use as early as the late First Century BCE or early First Century CE, on both gladii and spathae type blades. Our version of this sword features a bronze guard plate, hand-carved guard and pommel of solid walnut, and genuine bone grip. The hilt components are all hand-carved by our talented staff at Albion. The hand-ground and finished diamond cross-section blade has a 50% distal taper and is individually heat-treated in Albion's Forge Shop for maximum flexibility and cutting performance. This sword has a very strong tang and is peened and threaded.

Peter Johnsson Museum Collection™ Solingen Sword™ - German 14th Century

The original sword now resides in the Deutsches Klingenmusem, in Solingen, Germany. It has a close sibling in the Royal Armouries in Leeds with the same pommel, cross and general blade shape. The blade has a form that places it somewhere between type XII and type XIV according to the Oakeshott typology. The pronounced point is good for slashing attacks as well as thrusts. The careful distribution of mass in the blade makes the sword very quick and precise in handling while allowing it to cut with authority. Profile and distal taper helps achieve sweet handling characteristics, while at the same time keeping the thin cutting section of the blade stiff...