Viking Sword Gram, The Dragon-Slaying Sword of Sigurd

Mythological Viking Sword Gram of Dragon Slayer Sigurd

Historical and Mythological Context

In the ancient Volsunga Saga, the sword Gram first appears as a magical gift from the all-father Odin. The warrior Sigmund obtained it by pulling it from the trunk of the mighty Barnstokkr tree. After Sigmund's death—when the sword was broken in battle by a disguised Odin—his widow kept the broken shards. The dwarven blacksmith Reginn later reforged the pieces for Sigmund's son, Sigurd. Sigurd then used the reborn sword to slay the dragon Fafnir, who hoarded a massive treasure. Interestingly, this motif of a shattered and reforged sword heavily inspired J. R. R. Tolkien when he created the famous blade Narsil/Andúril. Historically, the hilt with its five-lobed pommel and straight crossguard closely resembles archaeological finds of 10th-century Viking swords, which are classified as Type S in the Petersen typology.

Masterful Craftsmanship and Details

The blade is hand-forged by the master smiths at Windlass Steelcrafts from 1075 high carbon steel. It is adorned with engraved runes representing protection, the strength of the oak, gift, fire, and the serpent. The construction is exceptionally robust—the blade tang passes through the entire grip and is peened to the lower part of the pommel, with the top section of the pommel then securely riveted to the lower section. The ornate guard and five-lobed pommel are cast from polished brass and treated with an antiqued patina to highlight the deep carvings. An imaginatively rendered dragon head dominates the pommel, whilst two symmetrically opposed dragons guard the crossguard. The grip is covered in brown leather featuring a texture created by a historically authentic "wet-wrap" process, which leaves a dimpled pattern for a firm and secure hold once the cord is removed.

Scabbard and Carrying Options

We supply the sword with a beautiful wooden scabbard lined and covered with leather. The leather is richly embossed with dragon motifs and an elegant criss-cross pattern. The wooden belt holder is secured to the scabbard with a decorative twisted wire wrapping. The leather boasts an intentionally distressed, aged finish to befit a sword that looks centuries old. A matching leather belt is included in the delivery so you can wear your sword immediately.

Safety Guidelines and Maintenance

This sword is designed and offered exclusively as a decorative and collector's item. Although the construction (including the peened pommel) is very sturdy, the manufacturer provides no warranty for practical use in stage combat, HEMA, LARP, or reenactment battles. For safety reasons, please avoid any contact combat with this blade. The edge thickness is 0.79 mm, but it still remains a heavy weapon that must be handled with utmost care and kept well out of the reach of children. The 1075 carbon steel is not rust-proof. To maintain its shine and prevent corrosion, we recommend regularly cleaning the blade and treating it with a thin layer of suitable gun oil (such as Ballistol or WD-40). The leather parts on the grip, belt, and scabbard should occasionally be nourished with leather balsam. For a dignified and safe display in your home, we highly recommend purchasing a wooden wall plaque or a sword stand.

Technical Specifications