Huge swords - the Montante

[Sir James A]

A quick post on some of the largest more commonly used swords in history. Cartoons / anime sometimes show comically over-sized swords. And most of us are familiar with the "they weigh 20 pounds" myths. Here's a few pictures of historical swords, with specs:


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(Specs are directly off the post I got the picture from, I just added the equivalents in inches)

General
Overall Length: 177.8 cm (70 inches)
Weight: 3.576 kg (7.88 pounds)
Balance point from quillon block: 9.4 cm (3 3/4 inches)

Grip
Hilt overall length: 47.7 cm (18 3/4 inches)
Grip Length: 41.1 cm (16 inches)

Blade
Blade Length quillon block to tip: 130.1 cm (51 inches)
Blade Width at quillon block: 4.7 cm (1.85 inches)
Blade Width 2 inches from tip: 4.8 cm (1.89 inches)
Blade Thickness at quillon block: 0.7 cm (1/4 inch)
Blade Thickness 2 inches from tip: 0.15 cm (0.06 inches)

Yes, the crossguard / quillions are on backwards / upside down. They said the pommel is welded on and the museum will not let them disassemble to fix it. Curse you, Victorian era reconstructionists!

But note, that at just shy of 6 feet long, the sword is still slightly less than 8 pounds. And these are BIG swords.

The typical longswords weighs in at 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 pounds.

These swords were regional, and only used towards the end of the era of armor. You wouldn't see them with crusaders or transitional knights. But they did exist, and they are historically accurate if used in the proper time and region.

[Sir Edward]

Yeah, the really huge zweihanders and the like are at the outside edge of what you might consider useful, and they still tend to be in the 6-8 pound range. If they're any heavier than that, they're probably just bearing swords (use for parade, not fighting).

[Thorsteinn]

Hassan can haz chop?

[Sir Nate]

Great swords are great. Sort of like... Great Helms

[Sir Douglas]

I believe the technical term for those is: "Big Friggin' Swords".

So what was the purpose of a sword that long? Were they handled kinda-sorta like a polearm?

[Paulus von Zurich]

I got to handle an original 16th cent flamberge several years ago. The weight was manageable and there was a little whip to the blade. I was surprised at how well it was balanced, since it was easily six foot overall. IIRC the cross was easily 18" across.

[Sir Nate]

I believe the technical term for those is: "Big Friggin' Swords".

So what was the purpose of a sword that long? Were they handled kinda-sorta like a polearm?

If I am not mistaken, they were in more common use in the 16th century, and few men were actually trained to use it. A weapon of that size did not usually have a scabbard and was carried on the shoulder.
They were used during the height of armor, how they were used I would guess were for armored opponents (armored guy! Give me a bigger sword )
Probably a very good weapon for de horsing someone.

[Sir Brian]

The zweihanders were primarily used against pike formations to cut off the pike heads.

[Sir William]

Overcompensating, maybe?  lol

[Paulus von Zurich]

Overcompensating, maybe?  lol

Admit it, you like them too!

[Sir James A]

The zweihanders were primarily used against pike formations to cut off the pike heads.

^ Yep, primarily this.

They were also capable of large crowd control against primarily unarmored foes. Dr Mondschein did a great job on this book about them and their use: http://www.amazon.com/The-Two-Handed-Sword-Mondschein-Ph-D/dp/0978902289/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410298389&sr=8-1&keywords=ken+mondschein+sword

I read it a couple years ago when it first came out, and really need to read it again.

[Sir Nate]

The zweihanders were primarily used against pike formations to cut off the pike heads.

^ Yep, primarily this.

They were also capable of large crowd control against primarily unarmored foes. Dr Mondschein did a great job on this book about them and their use: http://www.amazon.com/The-Two-Handed-Sword-Mondschein-Ph-D/dp/0978902289/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410298389&sr=8-1&keywords=ken+mondschein+sword

I read it a couple years ago when it first came out, and really need to read it again.

Completely off beat from what I thought.
Hmm, how were they used in tournaments?

[Sir Edward]

Montante and Spadone swords (often in the 5-footish range) have a lot of techniques around them that are designed to be fluid, and keep the sword in motion without fighting against its momentum. They're for crowd control and that sort of thing.

[Paulus von Zurich]

Don't discount the physiological fear it would create.

[Sir William]

Overcompensating, maybe?  lol

Admit it, you like them too!

Yea, but I don't want one, per se.  For some reason, I'm seeing really large guys wielding those big swords- even at 6-8 lbs, its heavier than I'd like.  But then, I also don't know the techniques in using them so that's part of it.