Peter Johnsson Museum Collection™
Brescia Spadona™
Museum Line Limited Edition Sword
A faithful recreation of an historical sword named after the city where it now resides, in the Museo Civico L. Mazzoli in Brescia, Italy.
This long sword is referred to as "spadona da una mano e mezza" or longsword of one hand and a half and dates from the mid 1400's. It is born from a meeting between great sword manufacturing areas. The blade was forged by one of the masterful swordsmiths in the renowned workshops of Passau, in southern Germany. From here it was exported to a north Italian sword cutler who mounted the blade according to his and his customers ideals. The beautifully proportioned hilt is of Italian manufacture in a style that was popular during the first half of the15th century. The well-forged cross combines graceful shape with sturdy construction, and the pommel is octagonal with its upper faces hollowground for an elegant appearance and deadly effect in close quarter combat. The sword could be described as an Oakeshott type XVIIIa or possibly a XVIa as described in "The Sword in the Age of Chivalry".
During a visit to the museum, swordsmith Peter Johnsson had the opportunity to handle and carefully document this splendid weapon. It is very well preserved showing interesting signs of wear. The edges have been resharpened during its period of use and still retain most of their original sharpness. The original has obviously seen some use but has also been well cared for. Balance and heft is such that the handling character belies its actual weight. The sword is perfectly adapted for the advanced fencing techniques of the master Fiore de´Liberi. The slim but very stiff point responds effortlessly to every move and feint while the mass of the sword and its well formed edges allows for very decisive cutting.
The sword as recreated in the workshops of Albion is very close to the original, not only in dimensions and details, but also demonstrates the same exquisite handling characteristics. The aim of this reconstruction is to present the sword as it was when delivered from the Italian cutler's shop some 550 years ago. The slight unevenesses of the edges are filled out and the point reestablished. A careful recreation such as this will present sword enthusiasts and students of historical swordsmanship with unique insights and hands on experience of an outstanding late medieval longsword.
The blades are hand-ground and finished to a high satin finish and sharpened like the original sword: the edge bevels run gradually to the keen cutting sharpness. Each blade is individually heat treated in Albion's Forge Shop for maximum flexibility and cutting performance. The wooden core of the grip is bound with cord for extra strength and covered with leather. The cross with its down-turned ends and its faceted pommel are all hand finished and mounted to fit individual blades.
Specifications
Overall length: 118 cm (46.5")
Blade length: 89.5 cm (35.25")
Blade width (at base): 5.72 cm (2.25")
COG: 8.9 cm (3.5") from cross
COP: 50 cm (19.75") from cross
Weight: 1.47 kg (3 lbs 4 oz)
Read more on the Museum Line recreation process here.
Sword design/specifications ©2005 Peter Johnsson.
Albion Armorers International is the sole worldwide licensee for this product |
