Italian Long Sword with scabbard, sharp

Sharp Late Medieval Italian Longsword with Leather Scabbard

Historical Context and Oakeshott Typology

This weapon clearly reflects the Italian design of longswords, which had to evolve to counter increasingly sophisticated plate armour. In terms of Oakeshott's typology, the blade closely resembles Type XVa, characterised by a flattened diamond cross-section and a steep taper towards a very acute point. This geometry provided the massive thrusting power necessary to pierce mail or slip into the vulnerable gaps of a knight's plate armour. The distinctive fishtail pommel (Oakeshott Type V) and the elegantly curved crossguard (Style 12) not only give the sword an aesthetic grace but also served practical purposes, such as trapping an opponent's blade and striking in close-quarters combat.

Combat Techniques and Half-Swording

The long, leather-wrapped wooden grip and the superb weight distribution offer tremendous leverage for both powerful cuts and lightning-fast thrusts. If an Italian fencer faced a heavily armoured opponent, standard cuts would be almost entirely ineffective. In such scenarios, fighters transitioned to a technique known as half-swording (Halbschwert). The swordsman gripped the hilt with one hand and grabbed the blade directly with the other, gloved hand. This effectively transformed the sword into a short spear, allowing for much more precise and devastating thrusts into the weak points of the armour.

Safety Guidelines for Sharp Blades

Please be expressly aware that this sword features a live, sharp blade and is by no means a toy. For safety reasons, this product is absolutely unsuitable for contact fencing (HEMA sparring, stage combat, or buhurt) or any person-to-person duelling. Clashing it against another weapon could result in fatal injuries or severe damage to the edge. The sword can be used, strictly at your own risk, for practicing cutting techniques on appropriate targets (such as tatami mats or water-filled bottles) or displayed as a luxurious and historically correct centerpiece in your collection.

High Carbon Steel Maintenance

The blade is forged from 1060 high carbon steel. While this material offers outstanding edge retention and durability, it is susceptible to rust, unlike modern stainless alloys. To preserve its mirror finish and prevent oxidation, the blade must be thoroughly cleaned and coated with a thin layer of high-quality gun oil or Renaissance wax after every use, or when stored in its scabbard for extended periods.

Technical Specifications

Our Recommendation for You

To create a perfectly matched and historically authentic fighting set, we highly recommend acquiring the corresponding Italian companion dagger for this sword, which beautifully complements your arsenal with the same design language and serves as an excellent off-hand parrying weapon instead of a shield or buckler.