Late 15th century – German. Original found in the Landesmuseum, Zurich.

The German Gross Messer has a reputation for being huge and imposing. This design (one of the 2010 Sword Buyer’s Guide Designer Contest Winners) is no exception. Gross Messers (German for “Great Knife”) look like scaled up versions of the classic “Bowie” style hunting knife, and were commonly seen during the later parts of the 15th Century. Powerful chopping weapons, they were popular among both the rich and the poor, and at this had intricate decorations on the guard and pommel.

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Late 15th century – German. Original found in the Landesmuseum, Zurich.
Type XVIIIa.

This sword was very popular in Germany during the mid to late 15th century. The sword illuminates the artistic creativity of the time, resulting from the Gothic artistic revolution in the arts.
The clear crisp blade and details hexagonal quillions and crisp fishtail pommel attest to this artistic revival.

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Fantasy Medieval sword.

In the Highlander series on film and television, the Immortals are a fictional race of human-like beings that never grow old. They walk the earth hidden from us in plain sight, and are immune to age, disease, and death – except by beheading. An Immortal who takes the head of another Immortal can absorb their defeated foe’s knowledge, power and experience – and act known as the Quickening. Immortals hunt each other across the globe throughout history in a contest known as The Game, each attempting to take the heads of the other Immortals and become the one to win the mysterious Prize.

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No Scot is unaware of the tale of William Wallace. Born in 1272, Wallace was a Scottish warrior who featured heavily in the Wars for Scottish Independence. Along with other Scottish heroes such as the warrior-king Robert the Bruce, he was instrumental in Scotland maintaining its freedom from English rule. A (heavily edited) version of Wallace’s story is featured in the highly popular film “Braveheart,” a film that is simultaneously loved and disdained by many people in Scotland in the modern day.

In Braveheart film, William Wallace (portrayed by Mel Gibson) carries a very unique looking sword. While not a historically accurate model, it was designed for the movie and has since become a very recognizable piece (many a new sword collector began by looking to own a version of the Braveheart sword). Loosely inspired by the Highland Claymore, the Braveheart sword sports a long, solid bodied blade with a straight guard and heavy pommel. The defining feature is the leather-wrapped riccasso, which allows a fighter to shorten up his grip and turn the board slashing weapon into a close range thrusting weapon. This distinctive sword will be recognizable to any fan of the movie

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Late 17th century – German. Original found in the Medieval Crime Museum (Mittelalterliches Kriminalmuseum), in Germany.

Designed after a later historical model that survives in the Medieval Crime Museum (Mittelalterliches Kriminalmuseum) in Germany, the sword comes at the tail end of the period in which swords were used in Europe for executions (a period from the 16th century to the 1720’s when this sword was made). It features a long, heavy blade that ends not in a point but a distinctive flat edge. The blade is heavily decorated as many executioner’s swords would be; and while in some cases the sword would be inscribed with the executioner’s name in this case the inscription translates as "I spare no one" – a brutal message for criminals facing this sword’s edge.

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This classic knightly sword has been reinterpreted many times in the modern world. This design is based on a 14th century knightly sword with some unique features. In addition to the classic fullered blade and relatively plain curved guard, this sword has an interesting inscription on the pommel.
The Latin text reads, “Mai vos ostendo bonitatis, sinceritatis et clementia ad vestri inimicatus et omne vivum entis.” Translated, it says, “May you show honor, integrity and compassion to your enemies and all living things.” A truly chivalrous ideal for a knight to live up to, and a stirring reminder for us in modern times.

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Svante Nilsson (1460 – 1512) was a Swedish statesman and regent of Sweden. He became a member of the Privy Council of Sweden in 1482. He unwillingly supported the coup and overthrow of the king. His resignation was demanded by the Privy Council in the summer of 1511, but remained in power until his death on January 2, 1512.
The Sword of Svante Nilsson is one of the most elegant swords of the medieval period. interesting and original designs of the medieval period. . A curved S guard provides protection for the hands while also appearing very distinctive. The pommel's unusual flared design rounds out a sword that comfortably straddles the line between elegance and funcionality.
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Rangers are a fantasy character 'archetype,' idealized warriors who fight with honour and have a deep and abiding respect for nature. From Strider and the Dunedain Rangers in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings novels to Drizzt Do'Urden in the Forgotten Realms books, Rangers are one of the most popular characters in fantasy fiction and role-playing games. Frequently depicted as the "lone warrior" character fighting in the shadows against evil, Rangers fight with sword, knife and bow, and are talented in all manner of wilderness and tracking skills. Friend of elves and other mystical creatures, they have a tendency to wander the land alone in search of injustice. Hence the name of this Ranger-inspired weapon, 'The Nomad.'

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In historical fiction as well as television and film, there is frequently depicted a warrior or knight of great size and strength, wielding a massive sword that would take three other men just to lift. These swords are called by many names in fiction, among them the term “Great sword.” In historical fact, Great swords were a type of sword that evolved from shorter single and double-handed longswords of the Middle Ages. While not of sufficient size and weight to live up to their fictional counterparts, they were developed to allow for slashing and cutting weapons to retain effectiveness against increasingly better armoured opponents, and so were renowned for their ability to cause massive damage to unarmoured and armoured foes.

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300 sword

The tale of “Leonidas and his brave 300” has inspired many works of fiction, including poems and in recent years films and novels. One of the most famous is the 1998 graphic novel “300” by Frank Miller. This work featured a unique artistic style that was adopted into a 2007 film by the same name. The swords used by the Spartans in the film is not historically based but still has managed to become an extremely popular model in reproduction. The sword is short and single edged, narrow at the shoulders and widening towards the tapered and curved tip. The unique looking curved guard and pommel provide partial hand protection. This blade may not be a historical model, but would be deadly in the hands of any Spartan.

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In J.R.R. Tolkiens Silmarillion, Fëanor was the most powerful elf who ever lived, so powerful that the dark lord Melkor was afraid of his might. Fëanor (“Spirit of Fire” in Sindarian) was one of the Noldor, the elves who lived in Valinor under the light of the two Trees (Laurelin and Telperion) that existed before the Sun and the Moon. He was such a mighty craftsman of jewels that he was able to place the light of the Trees into the three Silmarils, gems of such surpassing beauty that the wars fought over them changed the face of the world forever. Fëanor also was the first of the elves to forge weapons, and created the first swords that were used by elves to slay their own kin. Because of these deeds much evil entered into the world.
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Design inspired by a 10th C. model

The Three load practice Viking Sword is made of 2 mm thick 1060 High Carbon Steel and Tempered to a Rockwell of 53. We created this piece with the practitioner in mind. The thick blade gives greater resistance to the blade for theatrical type combat which requires exciting blade to blade contact for shows, theatrical plays and movie productions.
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Elves are mythical and magical creatures in many forms of fantasy literature, and nowhere do they receive more attention than in J.R.R. Tolkien's writings. Tolkien's Elves are powerful beings, whose grace, beauty and skill are all too often overshadowed by their hubris. The Elves fight against the Dark Lord for millenia, sometimes winning decisive battles, other times bring brought to the brink of extinction. Only their strength that burns in their hearts seems to help them carry the day; their strength and the weapons of power that they create.

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More realistic than our Re-enactment sword, this 14th C. practice sword was forged for the reenactor wanting to maintain the same blade thickness as a real sword, but preserving the safety aspects inherent in a practice sword. That being said, we forged this 14th C. sword with a rounded tip. As per all our swords, the blade is forged with 1060 High Carbon Steel and Tempered to a Rockwell of 53. Although not recommended, we do offer a sharpening option for this sword. Please note however that if you intend on using it in a reenactment / combat group, it would be best to order it with an unsharpened blade as reenactment groups do not allow the use of sharpened swords.
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This historically inspired fantasy sword is based on the Swiss Saber, a two-handed, singled edged sword of the renaissance and early modern period. The ringed hilt is typical of many 16th century swords, but the crown pommel is an original design (loosely based on a historical example).

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The Javelin, derived from the old French javelin, was used throughout human history among a multitude of cultural groups. From prehistory to the Modern age, the javelin was used for warfare as well as hunting. The Gallic cavalry, known for their ferocity, threw their javelins to soften the enemy before a frontal attack. The Gauls, turned on horseback to throw their javelins, giving the appearance of a retreat. The medieval soldier, being trained with various weapons used to javelin to strike, thrust, slash and takedown his opponent.

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