The sword tag has no wiki summary.
26
votes
7answers
1k views
When were swords last used in European warfare?
Specifically, I'm interested in the last documented occurrence of swords (of any sort) being used as a primary weapon by infantrymen or cavalrymen in Western warfare. That is, when did any European or ...
16
votes
0answers
99 views
When did the Romans begin using the sword, as opposed to the axe, for decapitation?
According to this article, the Romans first used the axe for decapitation, and then moved to using the sword later. The article states:
[B]eheading, a mode of executing capital punishment by which ...
11
votes
2answers
272 views
In the Medieval period, how long would an average swordsmith need to forge an average sword?
Based on this question over in RPG, I'm trying to figure out how long it took to forge a sword in the Medieval/Renaissance smith to make swords. I am recalling a figure of about 9-12 months per ...
11
votes
1answer
211 views
Are the swords in the Oath of Horatii all Roman?
In looking at the Oath of Horatii image
I can see three swords in the hand of the father, I see what looks to be a gladius in the center, but the two swords on either side of it do not look to be ...
7
votes
1answer
301 views
Samurai, Damascus, and Toledo Steel
Has a comparison been made of the qualities of Samurai (Tamahagane), Damascus and Toledo steel (rather than the swords)? I've seen claims for each being better than the others.
If it's on topic, I'm ...
7
votes
1answer
174 views
Evidence of cross contamination between Japanese and Western sword fighting styles?
Are there any documented cases of cross pollination between western sword fighting techniques and Japanese ones? Such cross contamination could have happened during the Sengoku-jidai. This period ...
7
votes
1answer
103 views
How were small swords worn in the 18th century?
Quick summary:
How was the small sword (or dress sword) fastened to the body?
What are the different ways of wearing it?
Looking at many drawings from this period, a good bunch of them depicts men ...
5
votes
1answer
131 views
When did blade fuller appear?
A fuller is the rounded or beveled groove or slot in the flat side of a blade which make the blade lighter -- not as some suggest a blood groove. When did the practice start? I suspect it was a ...
3
votes
1answer
58 views
Master title for fencing
When and where did the practice of calling either a fencing teacher or a great swordsman "master" originates from? I am interested mainly in European primary sources, the older the better.
