Apr 17, 2020
Oct 22, 2010

Two-Handed Sword

Two-Handed Sword

1550–1600

Steel; leather and wood grip, cloth-covered middle

Overall: 191.5 cm (75 3/8 in.); Blade: 144.8 cm (57 in.); Quillions: 41.5 cm (16 5/16 in.); Grip: 40.7 cm (16 in.); Ricasso: 33.4 cm (13 1/8 in.)

Weight: 3.95 kg (8.71 lbs.)

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance 1919.68

Description

The two-handed sword, originally a weapon of war for specialist infantry, is so named because two hands were required to wield it. By the late 1600s, these enormous swords assumed a largely ceremonial or bodyguard function.

See also

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