Single-Edged Castillon Arming Sword, 15th Century – Royal Armouries Replica

Single-Edged Castillon Arming Sword, 15th Century – Royal Armouries Replica

Unique Design from the End of the Hundred Years' War

At first glance, this sword appears to be a classic "arming sword." However, upon closer inspection , you will discover that the blade features a wedge cross-section and only a single edge. The spine is blunt, transitioning into a false edge near the tip. This construction gives the blade extraordinary stiffness and cutting authority while maintaining a thin profile and light weight. The original (Object Number IX.2638) was part of a hoard found in the River Dordogne in France, where over 80 swords from the era of the Battle of Castillon were recovered.

In the 15th century, such a sword could have been carried by anyone from a well-equipped archer to a man-at-arms or a knight. Thanks to its lightness and agility, it was also excellent as a civilian weapon for self-defense, often paired with a buckler.

Material and Craftsmanship

Unlike the original, which shows the passage of time, this replica is hand-forged from modern, high-quality 1080 high carbon steel. The blade is fully tempered to achieve optimal flexibility and hardness.

• Blade: Hand-forged with distal taper (thinning towards the tip), ensuring perfect balance.
• Hilt: The asymmetrical grip is wrapped in leather and decorated with wire risers. The octagonal "scent stopper" pommel allows for comfortable palm support.
• Guard: The steel crossguard features quillons with curled tips, designed to catch or deflect an opponent's blade in combat.

The delivery also includes a luxury scabbard with a wooden core, covered in black leather, and finished with a brass chape featuring an acorn motif. At the throat, the leather is shaped to cover part of the guard (a "rain guard"), preventing moisture from entering the scabbard.

Practical Use and Safety

Although the sword is made of high-quality steel and built like a real weapon, it is supplied with an edge thickness of approx. 1 mm (unsharpened but thin).

• Drills and Forms: Due to its low weight and excellent balance, the sword is ideal for practicing techniques, solo forms, and theatrical fencing where hard "edge-on-edge" contact does not occur.
• Contact Fencing: Due to the thin edge (1 mm), we do not recommend using this sword for full-contact heavy sparring against other steel weapons, as deep notches could occur on the blade.
• Sharpening: The 1080 steel allows the sword to be professionally sharpened for cutting tests (tameshigiri) if desired.

Care Instructions

Since the blade is made of high carbon steel (not stainless), it requires regular maintenance to prevent rust. 1. Wipe the blade with a dry cloth after every touch with bare hands. 2. Regularly preserve it with gun oil or microcrystalline wax. 3. Do not store the sword in the scabbard for long periods in humid environments, as leather can trap moisture. As a bonus, you will receive a maintenance kit (Windlass Classic Wax and a polishing cloth) and a certificate of authenticity.

Specifications

We recommend pairing this sword with a high-quality leather belt or sword frog to complete your historical attire.