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On occasion of a research excursion to the collection centre of the Swiss National Museum, Arthur von Eschen and myself had the opportunity to examine a number of original medieval artifacts, one of which was a 11th/12th century sword, featured in this video. It is an Oakeshott type X with a brazil nut pommel. Its blade is inscribed INGELRI, one of the famous workshop inscriptions of the Early Middle Ages. My research is kindly sponsored by patrons at www.patreon.com/Dimicator This is where you can find more material on medieval swords and swordplay.
The Windlass Ulfberht replica sword is very similar to this, with the Brazil Nut pommel and a similar profile and fullered Oakeshott Type 10 blade with spatulated point. The only difference being the Windless has a forward curved crossguard, but they are similarly thick and shaped otherwise.
Now THAT'S the way video's SHOULD be made. Music while showing the sword, which stops when someone is talking, but then once that person stops talking, the music starts up again. I HATE videos where they play music at the same time that someone it talking, and I've even seen video's where the music gets LOUDER when the person starts talking. Ohh, I hate that.
Roland, how do you believe the original tip was shaped(before corrosion et cetera)?The question of design vs. use is fascinating - do you have an opinion on whether this blade was resharpened due to use or designed as cutting edge preferential?
As of now, I see no indication for it to have looked significantly different when new. But I will use peter Johnsson's construction method on this example, too, so we will see if this yields any new insights.
Wonderful video, I really enjoy you sharing these insights with us. Just a quick question: I know its not your main focus, but can you by any coincidence tell us a bit about the skullcaps lying on that table? Things like age/dating, and the place they were found in?
The helmets are a resin reconstruction of a badly deformed helmet found in Switzerland, the steel one is a 1960s replica thereof. It is considered a continuation of earlier Roman forms, and it is believed to be c. 12th century, like a comparable example from Chamoson: www.reenactment.de/reenactment_start/reenactment_startseite/diverses/kitguide/chamoson.jpg Depictions of comparable models can be seen both in Carolingian as well as Ottonian art of the 9th and 10th century. Here is a similar model worn by soldiers in a carving on the ivory situla from Aachen: i.pinimg.com/originals/9f/45/1f/9f451f57b812305e143fe1bbcb6c3ce8.jpg
An according video is already up and running on my Patreon: www.patreon.com/posts/off-center-on-15671471 You can find more information on this intriguing topic on my various platforms, e.g.on my facebook: facebook.com/266934476773420/photos/a.619673751499489.1073741923.266934476773420/1168115159988676/?type=3&theater
could it be a left handed sword? think about it, japanese swords and a few others from around the world have done a slightly thinner spine section to reduce friction or drag when cutting through certain kinds of targets, youd have to look and see if the edges also happen to have that appleseed type shape to them.
It is definitely not a left-handed sword. The pommel is twisted counter-clockwise ever so slightly, which nicely accommodates a right hand, but makes it feel useless in your left. An according video is already up and running on my Patreon: www.patreon.com/posts/off-center-on-15671471
The jingle cords of the DIMICATOR intro and outro are from "Killing in the Name of" by RATM, additional music: "Dark Times" by Kevin Mac Leod, YT Audio Library
