Steel two-handed sword. Types and designs of swords. Swords of various eras and countries. Positive and negative qualities of the sword

Sword. Of course, it is the most famous and revered type of cold weapons. For several millennia, the sword not only faithfully served as many generations of warriors, but also performed the most important symbolic functions. With the help of the sword, the warrior was devoted to the knights, he necessarily entered the number of items used in the coronation of European venance. The old good sword is still widely used in various military ceremonies and no one else comes to replace it with something more modern.

The sword is widely represented in the mythology of various nations of the world. It can be found in Slavic epic, Scandinavian sagas, in the Quran and Bible. In Europe, the sword was a symbol of the status of its owner, distinguished by a noble person from commoner or slave.

However, despite the entire symbolism and romantic halo, the sword was primarily a melee weapon, the main function of which is the destruction of the enemy in battle.

The medieval knightly sword reminded the Christian cross, the arms of the crosses form a straight corner, although it did not have a special practical significance. Rather, it was a symbolic gesture that equated the main weapon of the knight to the main attribute of Christianity. Before the rite of dedication in the Knights, the sword was kept in the church altar, cleaning this murder tool from the bad. During the ritual, the sword filed a priest's warrior. In the handle of combat swords, the particles of sacred relics often invest.

Contrary to popular belief, the sword was not the most common weapon in the ancient times, nor in the era of the Middle Ages. And the reasons for this are several. First, a good combat sword has always been roads. High-quality metal was a little, and he cost expensive. The manufacture of this weapon occupied a lot of time and demanded high qualification from the blacksmith. Secondly, the ownership of a sword at a high level required perennial persistent training, learn how to paint the ax or spear was much easier and faster. The future knight began to train from early childhood ...

Different authors lead excellent data on the cost of combat sword. However, one thing can be said for sure: it was high. In the early Middle Ages for the average blade gave an amount equal to the cost of four cows. An ordinary one-handed sword made by a famous master was even more expensive. Weapons of higher nobility made from damask steel and richly decorated, cost fabulous money.

This material will be given the history of the development of the sword, from ancient times to late Middle Ages. However, mostly our story will affect European weapons, because the theme of the blade weapon is too extensive. But before proceeding to the description of the main milestone's development, you should say a few words about its design, as well as give the classification of this weapon.

Sword Anatomy: What a weapon consists of

The sword is a kind of cold weapons with a direct double-edged blade designed to apply chopping, cutting and stabbing strikes. The blade occupies most of the weapon, it can be more adapted to apply chopping or, on the contrary, suffering shots.

For the classification of blade weapons, the blade shape and the method of its sharpening are very important. If the blade has a bend, then such a weapon is usually referring to sabers. So, for example, all known Japanese kathanas and Vakidzasasi are two-handed sabers. Weapons with a straight blade and one-sided sharpening are tested to the executioners, Tesakov, Gross-Mersera, and others. In some groups, swords and rapiers usually allocate.

Any sword consists of two parts: Blade and Ephesus. The cutting part of the blade is a blade, and he ends with the edge. The blade may have rigidity and dollars, which makes the weapon easier and gives it additional rigidity. Unprecedented part of the blade near Ephesus is called Ricasso or heel.

Ephesus sword consists of Garda, handles and apple or apple. Garda protects the arm of the fighter from strikes about the enemy shield, and also prevents her scaling after the strike. In addition, the crossbar can also be shocking, it was actively used in some fencing techniques. We must need to properly balancing the sword, and it also prevents the exposition of weapons.

Another characteristic of the sword is the cross-section of the blade. It can be different: rhombic, lens-like, etc. Any sword has two tales: in the thickness of the blade and its length.

The center of gravity of the sword (point of equilibrium) is usually a little higher than the Garda. Although this parameter can also change.

Several words should be said about such an important accessory, like a sword - a case in which the weapon was stored and transported. Their upper part is called the mouth, and the lower - tip. Swords for swords were made of wood, leather, metal. They were attached to the belt, saddle, clothes. By the way, contrary to popular belief, you did not wear the sword behind my back, because it is inconvenient.

The mass of the weapon ranged in a very wide limit: Gladius's short sword weighed 700-750 gr, and a heavy two-handed empenton - 5-6 kg. However, as a rule, one-handed sword had a lot of not more than 1.5 kg.

Classification of combat swords

Combat swords can be divided into several groups depending on the length of the blade, although this classification is somewhat conditional. In accordance with this characteristic, the following groups of swords are distinguished:

• Short sword with a length of the blade of about 60-70 cm;
• Long sword with a blade from 70 to 90 cm. Similar weapons could use both hiking and horse warrior;
• Swords with a length of the blade above 90 cm. Most often, such weapons were used by the cavalryrs, although, there were exceptions - for example, the famous two-handed swords of late Middle Ages.

For the grated, the swords can be divided into one-handed, one-time and two-handed. A one-handed sword had sizes, weight and balance, which allowed a fencing with one hand, in the second hand the fighter, as a rule, held a shield. A two-day or one-hour sword allowed the hold of both one and two hands. It should be noted that this term was introduced by weeds only at the end of the XIX century, the contemporaries of these swords were not so called. The one-hour sword appeared in the Late Middle Ages and was in the go until the middle of the XVI century. The two-handed sword allowed retention only with two hands, a wide spread of such a weapon received after the appearance of heavy lamellar and lathel armor. The biggest combat double-handed swords had weight up to 5-6 kg and dimensions exceeding 2 meters.

The most famous and popular classification of medieval swords created English researcher Evart Okshott. It is based on the shape and design of the blade of weapons. In addition, Okshott developed the schemes of the cross and screwed. Using these three characteristics, you can describe any medieval sword, bringing it to a convenient formula. Okshott Typology covers the period from 1050 to 1550.

Benefits and disadvantages of the sword

As mentioned above, learn how to own the sword was very difficult. This required long-year training, constant practices and excellent physical training. The sword is a weapon of a professional warrior who dedicated her life to the Ratish case. It has both serious advantages and significant drawbacks.

The sword is good with its versatility. They can prick, chop, cut, reflect the blows of the enemy. It is suitable for defensive, and for offensive battle. Boots can be applied not only with a blade, but also a cross, and even imagine. However, like any other universal tool, each of its functions it is worse than a highly specialized gun. The sword can really be prick, but a spear (at a big distance) or a dagger (in the near) will make it much better. And the ax is more suitable for applying chopping strikes.

The combat sword is perfectly balanced and has a low location of the center of gravity. Thanks to this, the sword is a maneuverable and fast weapon, it is easy to fencing, you can quickly change the direction of attack, to make false deposits, etc. However, such a design significantly reduces the "armor-piercing" possibilities of the sword: it is rather difficult to drive it even difficult for them. And against the walled or plastic armor, the sword is inffective at all. That is, against a single opponent, you can practically use only stitching strikes.

The undoubted advantages of the sword include its relatively small sizes. This weapon could be constantly to have with me and, if necessary, instantly apply.

As mentioned above, the production of the sword was a very complex and time-consuming process. It required high qualifications from the wizard. A medieval sword is not just a strip of cocked iron, but a complex composite product, as a rule, consisting of several parts of steel with different characteristics. Therefore, the mass production of swords managed to establish only in the period of late Middle Ages.

Birth of a sword: ancient times and antiquity

We do not know when and where the first sword appeared. It is likely that this happened after a person learned to make bronze. The most ancient sword was found on the territory of our country, during the excavations of the tomb in Adygea. A short sword from bronze found there is dated to the fourth millennium BC. Currently, it is exhibited in the Hermitage.

Bronze is a pretty durable material that allows you to make swords of decent size. This metal is not amenable to quench, but with serious loads it bends without breaking. To reduce the likelihood of deformation, bronze swords often had impressive rigidity ribs. It should also be noted the high resistance of bronze to corrosion, due to which we today have the opportunity to explore the authentic ancient swords that have come down to us in a rather good condition.

Bronze weapons were made by casting, so it could be given the most complex and intricate forms. As a rule, the length of the blade of swords from bronze did not exceed 60 cm, but samples and more impressive sizes are known. For example, during excavations in Crete, archaeologists have discovered swords with a clinic meter length. Scientists believe that this big sword is probably used to ritual purposes.

The most famous blades of the ancient world are the Egyptian Hopes, Greek Mahaire and Copiers. It should be noted that due to the unilateral sharpening and the curved form of the blade on a modern classification, they all do not relate to swords, but are more tesacles or sabers.

In approximately the VII century, swords began to produce from iron, and this revolutionary technology spread very quickly in Europe and the Middle East. The most famous iron swords of antiquity were Greek xifos, Scythian Akinak and, of course, Roman gladius and shept. Curiously, but already in the 4th century, the gunsmith-gunsmen knew the main "secrets" of the production of swords, which will remain relevant up to the end of the Middle Ages: the manufacture of a blade from the package of steel and iron plates, welding steel plates-blades on a soft iron base and carbonizing the soft iron blank.

Ksypos is a short sword with a wedge characteristic leaf-shaped form. At first they were armed with infantry goplites, and later the warriors of the famous Macedonian phalanx.

Another famous anchor's iron sword is Akinak. The first to be used by Persians, they were borrowed by Scythians, Midyans, Massagets and other peoples. Akinak is a short sword with a characteristic cross and imagine. Later, the big sword (up to 130 cm) similar designs used other inhabitants of the Northern Black Sea region - Sarmati.

However, the most famous blade of antiquity, no doubt, is Gladius. Not particularly cried with a soul, it can be said that with his help a huge Roman Empire was created. Gladius had a length of the blade about 60 cm and a wide cutting edge that allowed to apply powerful and accented strokes. This sword could also be cut, but such strikes were considered additional. Another distinctive feature of Gladius was massive, designed for better weapon balancing. Short strokes of gladius in closer Roman ranks were truly kill.

Another Roman sword was an even greater influence on the further evolution of the clink weapons - the cavalry sold. In fact, this sword was invented by Celts, the Romans simply borrowed it. This big sword is much better suited for arming riders than the "short" gladius. It is curious that at first she did not have the tip, that is, it could only hack, but later this deficiency was corrected, and the sword found universality. For our story, she is very important, because it was from her a sword of Merovingo type, and therefore all subsequent European blades.

Middle Ages: from Roman Spage to Knight's Sword

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe was plunged into dark times for several centuries. They were accompanied by decay crafts, loss of many skills and technologies. The tactics of warfare itself simply simplified, numerous barbaric hordes came to replace the Spared Iron Disciplines. The continent plunged into the chaos of fragmentation and internecine wars ...

Several centuries in a row, armor in Europe was almost no used, only the richest warriors could afford the mail or lamellar armor. Similarly, the situation was and with the spread of blade weapons - a sword from the arms of an ordinary infantryman or rider turned into an expensive and status thing that few people could afford.

In the VIII century, the Meroving Sword is widespread in Europe, which is the further development of the Roman sold. He got his name in honor of the French Royal Meroving Dynasty. It was a weapon intended primarily to apply chopping strikes. The Meroving Warm had a blade from 60 to 80 cm long, thick and short crossing and massive screwed. The blade was practically prevented by the edge, which had a flat or rounded shape. The entire length of the blade has drawn a wide and shallow dollars, facilitating weapons. If the legendary king of Arthur really existed, "the historians are still arguing about - then his famous Eccalibur should have looked like that.

At the beginning of the 9th century, "Meroving" began to be crowned with a Karoling type sword, which is often called the Wiking Sword. Although, they produced these swords mainly on the continent, and they fell into the Scandinavian lands as a product or military prey. The sword of the Viking is similar to Meroving, but it is more elegant and thin, thanks to which he has the best balance. The Carriantic sword has better pronounced tip, they are comfortable to carry stuck punches. You can also add that at the turn of the first and second millennium, metallurgy and metalworking stepped far forward. Steel has become better, its number has increased significantly, although swords still remained expensive and relatively rare weapons.

Starting from the second half of the XI century, Caroling Sword gradually turns into a romance or knightly sword. Such a metamorphosis is associated with changes in protective equipment of warriors of the era - all the large propagation of the mail and a plate armor. It was quite problematic to break through such protection, so we needed a weapon that could effectively prick.

In fact, the Romanesque Sword is a huge group of clincolous weapons, which was in the course of the high and late Middle Ages. Compared to the Meroving Wild, the Romanesque sword had a longer and narrow blade with a narrow and deep dolt, noticeably narrowing to the edge. A handle of weapons becomes longer, and the dimensions of imparting decrease. Romanesque swords have a developed handle, which ensured reliable protection of the arms of the fighter - the undisputed sign of the development of the fencing art of that era. In fact, the variety of swords of the Romanesque Group is huge: the weapons of various periods differed in the form and size of the blade, handles, imparting.

The era of giants: from the bastard to the flaming flamberg

Approximately from the middle of the XIII century, lamellar lats become a widespread form of a warrior protective equipment. This led to a further change in the romance sword: he became already, the blade received additional ribs and even more pronounced edge. By the XIV century, the development of metallurgy and blacksmith affairs made it possible to turn the sword into a weapon available even to ordinary infantrymen. So, for example, during a century war, the sword was not too high with only a few pence, which was equal to the daily earnings of the archer.

At the same time, the development of the armor made it possible to significantly reduce the shield, and even abandon him at all. Accordingly, now the sword could be taken by two hands and apply a stronger and accentuated blow. So the one-time sword appeared. Contemporaries called him a "long or martial sword" (War Sword), implying that weapons of such length and mass do not wear with them just like that, and they take exclusively on the war. One-time sword had another name - Bastard. The length of this weapon could reach 1.1 meters, and the mass - 2.5 kg, although, for the most part, one-hour sword weighed about 1.5 kg.

In the XIII century, a two-handed sword appears on European battles, which can be called real giants among the blade weapons. Its length reached two meters, and the weight could exceed five kilograms. This big sword was used exclusively by infantry, their main appointment was a crushing chopping strike. For such weapons, no scabes were made, and we wore them on the shoulder, like a spear or peak.

The most famous two-handed swords are Clamore, Tsweiherder, Espildon and Flamberg, which is still called a flaming or curved two-handed sword.

Claymore. Translated from Gaelne this name means "big sword". Although, of all two-handed swords, it is considered the smallest. The length of the brain is from 135 to 150 cm, and the weight is 2.5-3 kg. The characteristic of the sword is the characteristic form of crossmen with the arms directed towards the edge of the blade. Clamor, together with killet and the Palash, is considered one of the most recognizable characters of Scotland.

Espildon. This is another great two-handed sword, which is considered the "classic" of this type of weapon. Its length could reach 1.8 m, and weight ranged from 3 to 5 kg. The most popular Espadon was in Switzerland and Germany. A feature of this sword was a pronounced Ricasso, which was often covered with leather or cloth. In battle, this part was used for an additional grip of the blade.

Tsweiherder. The famous sword of German mercenaries - Landsknecht. They were armed with the most experienced and strong warriors who received a double salary - Doppelsoldner. The length of this sword could reach two meters, and the weight is 5 kg. He had a wide blade, almost the third of which accounted for unprecedented Ricasso. From the sharpened part, it was separated by a small Garda ("Kabani fangs"). Historians are still arguing about how Tweihegender was used. According to some authors, the peaks were represented with it, others believe that the sword was used against enemy riders. In any case, this great two-handed sword can be called a real symbol of famous medieval mercenaries - landscape.

Flamberg. A wavy, flaming or curved two-handed sword, called so for the blade of the characteristic "wave-like" form. Flambrg was especially popular in Germany and Switzerland in the XV-XVII centuries.

This sword had a length of about 1.5 m and weighed 3-3.5 kg. Like Tsweiherder, he had a wide Ricasso and an additional Garda, but his main feature was bends, which covered up to two thirds of the blade. Curved two-handed sword is a very successful and cunning attempt of European weapon masters to combine the main advantages of the sword and sabers in one weapon. The curved edges of the blade significantly enhanced the effect of a chopping strike, and their large amount created the effect of the saw, inflicting scary non-heaven wounds. At the same time, the end of the blade remained straightforward, and the flombing could be brought with strokes.

The curved two-handed sword was considered "inhumane" weapons and was banned by the church. However, the German and Swiss mercenaries were little worried. True, the soldiers with such a sword did not cost in captivity, at best they killed them immediately.

This great two-handed sword is still in service of the Guard Vatican.

Sunset sword in Europe

In the XVI century, a gradual refusal of heavy metal armor begins. The reason for this was the widespread and significant improvement in firearms. "Nomen Certe Novum" ("I see a new name"), "so about the Arkebus said Francesco and Carpi, an eyewitness defeated the French army at Pavia. You can add that in this battle the Spanish arrows "carried out" the color of the French heavy cavalry ...

At the same time, the blade weapon becomes popular in citizens and soon turns into an integral part of the costume. The sword becomes easier and gradually turns into a sword. However, this is another story worthy of a separate story ...

Two-handed weapons in Skyrima delivers in enemies (well, or in extreme cases to allies) significant damage. However, for such a one-time damage, it is necessary to pay a smaller attack speed, the extensiveness and lack of a shield. Two-handed weapons include double-handed swords, two-handed axes and hammers.

Two-handed swords

• Distance: 1.3
• Speed: 0 .7
• Stun: 1.1.

Average indicators, the most.

View	Name	Damage	Weight	Cost	Creature
	Iron two-handed sword	15	16	50
	Steel two-handed sword	17	17	90	2 Iron Brochock, 3 Skin Strips, 4 Steel Ingots
	Orc two-handed sword	18	18	75	4 Orihelkovy Brochka, 3 Skin Strips, 2 Iron Brochs
	Ancient Nordic Two-handed Sword	17	18	35
	Two-handed two-handed sword	19	19	270	2 coumenting metal ingots, 2 steel bars, 3 skin strips, 2 iron bars
	Nordic two-handed sword hero	20	16	250	Not craft. Can be obtained only with draped
	Heavenly steel double-handed sword	20	17	140	Not craft. You can buy a gray mane in the heavenly cousin in the Yorlund.
	Elf two-handed sword	20	20	470	2 peeled lunar stones, 2 iron bars, 3 skin strips, mercury ore
	Nordic two-handed sword	20	19	585
	Glass two-handed sword	21	22	820	2 peeled malachite, 2 peeled lunar stones, 3 skin strips
	Ebonite two-handed sword	22	22	1440
	Stalgistic two-handed sword	23	21	1970
	Daederic two-handed sword	24	23	2500
	Dragoni bone two-handed sword	25	27	2725	3 skin strips, ebonite ingot, 4 dragon bones

Two-handed axes and secrets

• Distance: 1.3
• Speed: 0 .7
• Stun: 1.15

Here we have the above stunning, but is spent more endurance.

Two-handed hammers

• Distance: 1.3.
• Speed: 0.6.
• Stun: 1.25

The most powerful two-handed melee weapon, however, the consumption of endurance is the same, and the speed is less. Weapon on an amateur.

There are many stories, epic, testers and fictions of people around the weapons of middle ages. So the sword is two-handed with secrets and allegory. Doubts about people have always caused huge sizes. After all, it is important to keep a battle primarily not the size, but the effectiveness and combat power of weapons. Despite the dimensions, the sword was successful and was very popular among the warriors. But to take advantage of such a sword was solely strong, mighty soldiers. The total weight of this sword instance is about two kilograms of five hundred grams, the length of the order of the meter, and the quarter of the meter is a quarter.

Historical facts

The sword two-handed such sample in the battles of the Middle Ages got spread in fairly late times. All warrior equipment consisted of metal armor and shield to protect against enemy blows, swords and spears. Gradually, the masters have learned to better cast a weapon from the metal, new types of swords have been compact in size and much more efficiently.

Such a weapon was expensive, not every soldier could afford to acquire a sword. The sword owned the most clever, bold, brave and fairly secured warriors and guards. The experience of possession of the sword was transferred from his father to his son, constantly improving the skills. The warrior was supposed to have a heroic power, an excellent reaction, masterfully own a sword.

Purpose of two-handed sword

Thanks to huge dimensions and greater weight, only the soldiers of the Bogatyan physique owned a two-handed sword. In the near battles, they were very often used in the forefronts to break through the first rows of the enemy. To deprive shooters and soldiers with Alebards, going next, the opportunity to strike. Since the sword's dimensions demanded a certain free perimeter, so that the warrior could turn into, the clock-fighting tactics had to be changed periodically. The soldiers were forced to constantly change the place of deployment, in the center of the battle because of the large clusters of the warriors it was very difficult for them to fight.

When conducting melee combat, swords were used mainly to apply a crushing blow and break through the enemy defense. In the battles in the open area, the soldiers were applied with the help of swords from above and from the bottom of the opponent in battle. The sword handle could be hit by a blow to the face of the enemy in maximum proximity to each other.

Design features

There were several types of two-handed swords:

1. At military ceremonies, for various rituals, large two-handed swords were most often used as a gift for rich, noble people, the weight of each such instance reached five kilograms. Some individual copies very often used as a special simulator to improve battle skills, hand workout.
2. A two-handed sword for combat battles weighing about three and a half kilograms and had a length of about one meter of seventy centimeters. The length of the handle of such copies was about half a meter and served as a sword balance. Soldier perfectly owning the tactics of conducting a battle with excellent skill and dexterity, practically did not notice the dimensions of the sword. For comparison, it is worth noting that the total weight of the one-armed sword was about one and a half kilograms.
3. A classic two-handed sword from the floor to the shoulder of the soldier, and handle from wrists to the elbow.

Positive and negative qualities of the sword

If you consider the advantages of two-handed swords, you can allocate the most basic:

• The warrior using this sword was protected around at a rather large perimeter;
• Crushing chopping strikes applied by a two-handed sword is very difficult to repel;
• The sword is universal in use.

It is worth paying attention to negative qualities:

1. The sword needed to keep two hands, therefore, was excluded the possibility of additional protection in the form of a shield.
2. The sword's dimensions did not allow you to quickly move, and the high weight led to the rapid fatigability of the warrior and as a result, to small efficiency in battle.

Types of two-handed swords

1. . Compact Scottish weapons, among various copies of two-handed swords, is distinguished by relatively small dimensions. The length of the blade was about one hundred ten centimeters. Another important distinguishing feature of this sample is a special design, thanks to which a warrior could pull out any weapon from the hands of the enemy. Small sizes of the sword allow us to use it as efficiently as possible in combat battles, rightfully considered the best copy among two-handed swords.
2. Tsweihander. This sample is enormous with huge dimensions, the length of the sword reaches two meters. The design of the sword is very specific, the pair crossed (Garda) serves as the boundary between the double-edged blade, handle and not sharpened part of the sword. A copy of the opponent, armed with specks and halberds, was used.
3. Flamberg. A variety of two-handed sword, with a special blade in the form of a wave. Due to such an unusual design, the effectiveness of a soldier armed with such a sword, in combat battles increased many times. The warrior was wounded by such a blade for a long time restored, the wounds were very poorly delayed. Many military leaders were executed by the soldiers for wearing such a sword.

A little about other varieties of swords.

1. Cavalier to punch the armor of the enemy very often used the sword "Estock". The length of this instance is one meter of thirty centimeters.
2. Next classic variety of two-handed sword. "Espadon" length of it is one hundred eighty centimeters. He has a cross (Garda) of two arms. The center of gravity of such a blade is shifted to the edge of the sword blade.
3. Sword "Katana". Japanese sword instance, with a blade of a curved shape. Soldiers were used mainly in the near battle, the length of the blade near the ninety centimeters, the handle of about thirty centimeters. Among the swords of such a variety, there is a sample of two hundred twenty-five centimeters. The power of this sword allows you to cut a person into two parts by one blow.
4. Chinese two-handed sword "Dadao". A distinctive feature is a wide blade, curved shape, sharpened on the one hand. Such a sword found its application even during the war with Germany in the forties of the twentieth century. The soldiers used the sword in hand-to-hand battles with the enemy.

In one of the historical museums of Holland, a two-handed sword is exhibited, preserved in excellent form to our time. This is a huge copy of two meters long fifteen centimeters and six kilograms weigh six hundred grams. Historians suggest that the sword is made in the fifteenth century in Germany. In combat battles, the sword was not used, served as a festive attribute for different military holidays and ceremonies. When making a sword handle as a material used oak, and decorated with a piece of goat skins.

In conclusion about a two-handed sword

Only real, mighty warriors, who, since ancient times, the Russian Earth were famous for them to manage such a powerful, impressive, frightening weapon. But with effective weapons and bold warriors, not only our land can boast, in many foreign countries, similar weapons were manufactured, with various distinctive features. In the battle battles of the Middle Age, this weapon witnessed numerous victories and defeats, brought a lot of joy and grief.

Master possession of the sword is meant not only in the ability to apply crushing strikes, but also in agility, mobility and verdicity of the warrior.

Sword It has a fairly simple design: a long blade with a handle, while the swords have many forms and methods of use. The sword is more convenient than the ax, which is one of his predecessors. The sword is adapted to apply chopping and stitching, as well as to parry the opponent strikes. Being longer than the dagger, and not so easily hidden in clothes, the sword is in many cultures with noble weapons, a status symbol. He possessed special significance, being simultaneously the work of art, family jewel, symbol of war, justice, honor, and of course glory.

Structure of Sword

The sword usually consists of the following elements:

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f. Blade (sharpened part of the blade)
g. Top (stitching)

There are many variants of the forms of the sections of the blade. Usually the form of the blade depends on the purpose of weapons, as well as from the desire to combine rigidity and ease in the blade. The figure shows some two-chain (positions 1, 2) and one-ole-free (position 3, 4) options for molds of blades.

There are three main forms of sword blades. Each of them has its own advantages:

• A straight blade (a) is designed primarily for injection.
• The blade curved backwards towards the footage (B) inflicts a deep cut wound when hit.
• The blade curved forward, towards the blade (C) is effective for applying a chopping strike, especially when it has an expanding and heavy upper part.

It is important to understand that the specialization of the sword on a single type of blows did not make it impossible to other types of their types - the injection can be applied to a saber, and the cutting punch with a sword.

Persons civilians when choosing a sword was guided mainly to fashion trends. The military tried to find the perfect blade, combining the same efficiency both when applying chopping and stitching shocks.

Africa and Middle East

In most of these regions, the sword is a very common weapon, but in Africa it is rarely found and with difficulty dating. Most of the swords shown here fell into Western Museums and to collectors thanks to travelers of the XIX - early XX centuries.

1. High-edged sword, Gabon, West Africa. The thin blade is made of steel, handle the sword is wrapped with brass and copper wire.
2. Tasba, the sword of the Taaregs of the Sahara.
3. Fliss, Cabilov tribe sword, Morocco. One-ole-free blade, decorated with engraved and inlaid brass.
4. Cascara, direct double-edged sword of the people of Bagirmi, sugar. By style, this sword is close to Sudanese swords.
5. The double-edged sword of the East African Masaev. The rhombic cross section of the blade, Garda is absent.
6. Shatel, double-edged sword with double bend blade, Ethiopia. The sickle shape of the sword is designed to defeat the enemy behind his shield.
7. Sudanese sword with a characteristic direct double-edged blade and cross-person Garda.
8. Arabic sword, XVIII century. Blade is probably European origin. Silver sword ephhes is coated with gilding.
9. Arabic sword, Longol, Sudan. The double-edged steel blade is decorated with a geometric ornament and a crocodile. Handle sword is made of ebony and ivory.

Near East

1. Cyliz (Klych) , Turkey. The instance shown in the figure has the xv blade., And Ephesian XVIII century. Often, the top of the Kilijah blade has ELMAN - an extended part with a straight blade.
2. Scimitar , classic form, turkey. Sword with curved forward by a single-olese blade. Kosya handle has a big screw, Garda is absent.
3. Yatagan with silver handle. The blade is decorated with corals. Turkey.
4. Saif, curved saber with characteristic impossible. It is found everywhere where Arabs lived.
5. Shashka Caucasus. Circassian origin, was widely used by Russian cavalry. The blade of this copy is dated 1819, Persia.
6. Dagger, Caucasus. Dagger could reach the sizes of a short sword, one of these instances is presented here.
7. Shamshire , typical form. Persian with curved blade and characteristic handle.
8. Shamshire with a wavy blade, Persia. Steel handle decorated with gold inlaid.
9. 18. Quaddara. Large dagger. The handle is made of horns. The blade is decorated with etching and a golden bowl.

Indian subcontinent

The region of India and adjacent regions is rich in various types of swords. In India, the best steel blades in the world with luxurious jewelry were manufactured. In some cases, it is difficult to give the correct name to some samples of blades, determine the time and place of their manufacture, so that their thoroughly study is still ahead. These dates relate only to depicted instances.

1. Chora (Hyber), a heavy single-olevine sword of the tribes of Afghans and Pashtuns. Afghan-Pakistani border.
2. . Sword with a curved blade and handle with a disc-shaped, India. This instance was found in Northern India, XVII century.
3. Tullwar (Talwar) with a wide blade. Was the executioner's arms. This copy is the origin of Northern India, the XVIII-XIX centuries.
4. Tulwar (Talvar). Standing handle in Punjab-style with a safety alley. Indore, India. End of the XVIII century.
5. , Steel handle with gilding in the Old Indian style. Double-edged straight blade. Nepal. XVIII century
6. Khanda. The handle is made in the style of "Indian Basket" with a process for capturing with both hands. Marathi people. XVIII century
7. Suck pts. The handle is made in the style of "Indian Basket". Curved forward reinforced blade with one blade. Central India. XVIII century
8. South Indian sword. Steel handle, square wooden screw. The blade is bent forward. Madras. XVI in.
9. Sword from the temple of the Nazar people. Brass handle, double-edged steel blade. Tanjavur, South India. XVIII century
10. South Indian sword. Handle steel, double-edged wavy blade. Madras. XVIII century
11. . Indian sword with a walled mute - steel Garda, who defended his hand until the forearm. Decorated with engraving and gilding. Aud (currently Uttar Pradesh). XVIII century
12. Adjar Katti typical shape. Short heavy blade curved forward. The handle is made of silver. Kurg, Southwestern India.
13. Zafar Pachach, India. The lord's attribute on the audiences. Screenshots are made in the form of an armrest.
14. ("Alien"). This name was applied by Indians for European blades with Indian handles. Here the Marath sword is depicted with the German clinics of the XVII century.
15. A double-edged two-handed sword with hollow iron vessels. Central India. XVII century
16. Bark. The blade is bent forward, has one blade with "drawn" vertex. Nepal. XVIII century
17. . Long narrow blade. Was distributed in the XIX century. Nepal, around 1850
18. Kukri. Iron handle, elegant blade. Nepal, approximately XIX century.
19. Kukri. Was in service with the Indian Army in World War II. Made by the Contractor in Northern India. 1943
20. Ram Tao. Sword used for animal sacrifices in Nepal and Northern India.

Far East

1. Tao. Sword of the tribe of Kachinov, Assam. The specimen shown in the figure shows the most common form of blade from many well-known in this region.
2. Tao (Noklang). Two-handed sword, people of Khaxy, Assama. Handle stroke iron, finishing made of brass.
3. Dha. One-olezen sword, Myanmar. Cylindrical sword hand covered with white metal. Inlay blade with silver and copper.
4. Kastana. The sword has a decorated wooden handle and a safety steel alignment. Decorated with inlaid silver and brass. Sri Lanka.
5. One-olesevine chinese iron sword. The handle is a blade stuffed with a cord.
6. Talibon. Short sword of Filipino Christians. Handle of the sword is made of wood and braid with reed.
7. Baron. Short sword of the Moro People, Philippines.
8. Mandau (Parang IZYLANG). The sword of the tribe of djakov - head hunters, Kalimantan.
9. Parang Pandit. Sword of the Tribe of Marine Djakov, Southeast Asia. The sword has a single-ole-free, curved blade ahead.
10. Campilane . One-olezen sword of the Moro tribes and marine dawns. The handle is made of wood and decorated with carvings.
11. Klevang . Sword from Sula-Weavi Island, Indonesia. The sword has a single-ole-free blade. The handle is made of wood and decorated with carvings.

Europe Bronze and Early Iron Ages

The history of the European sword is a process not so much to improve the functionality of the blade, how much changes under the influence of fashion trends. Steel, design has come to change the swords of bronze and iron, the design has adapted to new battle theories, but no innovations have given a complete abandonment of old forms.

1. Short sword. Central Europe, early bronze age. Blade and handle sword are joined.
2. Curved single-basin short sword, Sweden. 1600-1350. BC. The sword is made from a solid piece of bronze.
3. Bronze sword of Homeric times, Greece. OK. 1300 BC. This instance is found in mycken.
4. Long solid bronze sword, one of the islands of the Baltic. 1200-1000 BC.
5. The sword of the bronze century, Central Europe. 850-650 BC.
6. Iron Sword, Galstatat Culture, Austria. 650-500. BC. The handle of the sword is made of ivory and amber.
7. - Iron Sword of Greek Goplites (heavy infantry). Greece. Approximately VI. BC.
8. Falkata - Iron single-rigid sword, Spain, near the V-VI centuries. BC. Swords of this type were also used in classical Greece.
9. Iron blade sword, Latencan culture. About vi in. BC. This instance is found in Switzerland.
10. An iron sword. Akuiley, Italy. Handle sword is made of bronze. About III century. BC.
11. Gallic iron sword. Department Oh, France. Anthropomorphic bronze handle. About II century. BC.
12. Iron Sword, Cumbria, England. Handle sword is made of bronze, and decorated with enamel. About i c.
13. Gladius. . Iron Roman short sword. Start I in.
14. Roman gladius Late type. Pompeii. The edges of the blade are parallel, the point is shortened. End i c.

Europe of middle ages

Throughout the early medieval, the sword was very valuable weapons, especially in Northern Europe. Many Scandinavian swords have richly decorated handles, and the X-ray of their research allowed to establish a very high quality of their blades. However, the late-conducted sword, despite its significant status of knightly weapons, often has a conventional cross-shaped and simple iron blade; Only imaginary sword gave masters some space for fantasy.

Rabnes medieval swords were caught with wide blades designed to apply a chopping strike. From the XIII century. The narrow blades, intended for staring shots, began to spread. It is assumed that this trend was caused by the increased use of the lat, which it was easier to punch it precisely with a crossing blow in the joints.

To improve the balancing of the sword at the end of the handle, it was attached severe, as opposed to the blade. We had a wide variety of forms, the most common of them:

1. Mushroom-shaped
2. In the form of "Covers for the kettle"
3. In the shape of american
4. Disco
5. In the shape of a wheel
6. Triangular
7. Fishtail
8. Pear-shaped

Wiking sword (right), whitight. The handle is wrapped in a silver foil with an embossed "wicker" ornament, which is shaded with copper and mobile. Steel double-edged blade has a wide and shallow. This sword was found in one of the Swedish lakes. Currently stored in the State Historical Museum in Stockholm.

Middle Ages