15th Century Arming Sword - Royal Armouries Collection

English heritage and knightly tradition, this late-15th-century arming sword delivers in both form and function. Compact, fast, and deadly precise, it represents the ideal sidearm carried by knights and men-at-arms during the final chapters of the medieval period.

The blade follows the Oakeshott Type XVIII profile—renowned for its exceptional balance between cutting power and thrusting precision. Designed to exploit gaps in evolving plate armor, this sword is agile in hand, responsive in motion, and devastatingly accurate. A short grip paired with a classic wheel pommel ensures excellent control, while curved quillons protect the hand without hindering movement.

Faithful distal tapering enhances balance and handling, allowing the sword to remain lively despite its solid construction. Forged using traditional methods from 1075 high-carbon steel, this replica achieves remarkable historical authenticity—offering collectors and practitioners a piece as close to the original as possible without stepping inside a museum vault.

The original sword—cataloged as Royal Armouries #IX.1426 at Royal Armouries—is believed to originate from England and dates to the late 1400s. Its form closely parallels swords seen in funerary effigies and monumental brasses of the era, including similarities to the well-known Westminster Abbey sword associated with royal ceremonial arms. Due to its excellent preservation, historians believe the original may have been removed from a church monument centuries ago.

Whether mounted or fighting on foot, a sword of this type would have been a knight’s dependable backup—swift, controlled, and lethal when it mattered most.

Key Historical Features

• Authentic interpretation of Royal Armouries Sword #IX.1426

• Oakeshott Type XVIII blade optimized for cut-and-thrust combat

• Long, curved quillons with a traditional wheel pommel

• Faithful distal taper for period-correct balance and handling

• Built using historically accurate materials and construction methods

Specifications

• Sword Type: Late-Medieval English Arming Sword

• Overall Length: 37-1/4 inches

• Blade Length: 30-5/8 inches

• Blade Width at Ricasso: 1-3/4 inches

• Blade Distal Taper: 1/32 inch

• Weight: 2 lbs, 13 oz

• Material: 1075 High-Carbon Steel

• Edge: Double-edged with bevels (unsharpened)

• Point of Balance: 3-11/16 inches from the guard

• Collector & Safety Note

  This sword is crafted as a historically accurate replica intended for display, study, and controlled martial arts practice. It is not sharpened and should be used in accordance with local laws and safety standards.

  
  

• • What is this sword?
    A historically accurate late-15th-century English arming sword.

  • What type of blade does it have?
    Oakeshott Type XVIII—ideal for thrusting through armor gaps while retaining cutting ability.

  • What steel is used?
    Hand-forged 1075 high-carbon steel.

  • Is it sharp?
    No. The blade is unsharpened for safety and controlled training/display use.

  • What is it best used for?
    Collection, historical study, HEMA display, and refined martial arts practice.