Hand-and-a-half Sword
- Dated: circa 1400
- Culture: possibly German
- Measurements: overall length 120cm; blade
length 95.8cm
The sword features a blade of pronounced flattened hexagonal section tapering to a long narrow point. Both sides are inlaid with a series of marks within the shallow fuller at the forte. The marks represent an orb, a single letter repeated and an ecclesiastical crosier possibly.
The hilt is formed of a rounded crosspiece swelling slightly over the length of both halves towards the tips. The pommel, of slightly compressed wheel form, comes with angular lower sides, a central recess on each face and capped by the original moulded rectangular washer, and is fitted with an early wooden two-stage grip bound with leather over cord.
A few comparable swords in equally good condition have been preserved in the arsenal of Alexandria. These swords normally bear an inscription in Arabic script. An example from the Alexandria arsenal comparable to the sword at hand can be found today in the Royal Armouries in Leeds (IX.915).
A peek at the disaster 