Viking Sword Gram, The Dragon-Slaying Sword of Sigurd

Viking Sword Gram, The Dragon-Slaying Sword of Sigurd

Detailed Description of the Sword

This sword is designed to evoke the spirit of the legendary weapon as faithfully as possible, described in the sagas as being "all decked with gold and gleaming bright." The individual parts are crafted with the utmost care.

The Hilt: Pommel and Guard

The ornate pommel and guard are crafted from polished brass, its sheen reminiscent of gold. Deep engravings and sculptural details are highlighted with a patina, giving them an ancient look. The five-lobed pommel is adorned with a stylized dragon head, inspired by Norse art. The guard is protected by two symmetrically placed dragons, their intertwined bodies a typical feature of the Viking art style.

The Grip and Blade

The grip is wrapped in high-quality brown leather. Its surface texture is created using the historically authentic "wet-wrap" method, where wet leather is tightly wound with cord. After drying, the cord leaves an attractive indented pattern in the leather, ensuring a firm and secure grip. The grip is further embellished with a brass collar engraved with runes.

The blade, made from 1075 high carbon steel, is hand-forged by the masters at Windlass Steelcrafts to achieve optimal balance and durability. Its surface is adorned with engraved runes that, according to Norse tradition, represent protection, strength (oak), gift, fire, and serpent. The sword's construction is very robust—the tang extends through the entire hilt and is peened over the bottom of the pommel, just like historical Viking swords.

The Scabbard and Belt

The sword comes with a beautiful leather-covered wooden scabbard. Its surface is decorated with embossed dragon motifs and a cross-hatch pattern. The wooden belt hanger is attached to the scabbard with decorative wire wrapping. A matching leather belt is included, so you can wear your sword immediately.

History and Mythology of the Sword Gram

According to the Völsunga Saga, the sword Gram was gifted by the god Odin to the first Viking who could pull it from the trunk of the Barnstokkr tree. This was the warrior Sigmund. However, after many heroic deeds, Odin himself, in disguise, broke Sigmund's sword in battle. Sigmund's wife kept the fragments for their son, Sigurd. The dwarven smith Reginn then reforged the sword from the shards for Sigurd, and with it, the hero slew the dragon Fafnir, who guarded a massive treasure.

An Interesting Fact from Mythology

Did you know that the story of a broken and reforged sword for a chosen hero loosely inspired J. R. R. Tolkien when he wrote The Lord of the Rings and created the story of the sword Narsil/Andúril? Norse mythology was a huge source of inspiration for Tolkien.

How to Use This Sword

This sword is ideal as:

• An Exclusive Collector's Item: It will stand out on a wall, in a study, or as part of your collection.
• A Costume Accessory: Perfect for cosplay, historical festivals, LARP, or as part of a Viking or fantasy hero costume.
• A Unique Gift: It will delight any lover of history, mythology, and quality craftsmanship.

Sword Classification

Although Gram is a mythological weapon, its hilt with a five-lobed pommel and straight guard closely resembles historical Viking sword finds, which Norwegian archaeologist Jan Petersen classified as Type S, dating to the 10th century.

Important Notice

Although the sword's construction (especially the peened pommel) is very sturdy and would theoretically allow for practical use, the manufacturer provides no warranty for its use in battles, stage combat, or HEMA. For this reason, we offer it exclusively as a decorative and collectible item.

Care and Maintenance

To keep your sword beautiful, we recommend proper care. Regularly wipe the carbon steel blade with a cloth and conserve it with a thin layer of oil (e.g., Ballistol or WD-40) to prevent rust. The leather parts (grip, scabbard, belt) should be treated with a leather care product from time to time. Store the sword in a dry environment.

Safety Guidelines

Remember that even a decorative sword is a weapon. It is not a toy. Keep it out of the reach of children. Exercise extreme caution during any handling and always be aware of your surroundings to prevent injury or property damage.

Specifications

• Total length 96 cm
• Blade length 81 cm
• Cross-guard length 12.5 cm
• Handle length 8.5 cm
• Fuller length 76 cm
• Blade width at the cross guard 54 mm
• Blade width 10 cm from tip 34.7 mm
• Thickness of the blade edge 0.79 mm
• POB lies 15 cm off the cross guard
• Sword weight 1418 g
• Sheath weight including belts 723 g