Rus-Viking sword type Petersen D

Rus Viking sword, Petersen D type, Gnezdovo, grave C-2, 10th century

This magnificent Viking one-handed sword is based on a find that was discovered in 1950 at the archaeological complex of Gnёzdovo near Smolensk, Russia, during the excavation of mound grave C-2.
The original piece, dated between the 9th and 10th centuries and classified as type D according to the Petersen typology for Viking swords, lay in a pit under the remains of a funeral pyre within the burial mound.

While the finely crafted, richly decorated hilt (presumably the product of a Gothic craftsman) was still remarkably well preserved, the blade was broken and bent.
Despite its rather poor state of preservation, engravings could still be found on its surface: an O-shaped symbol on one side and the remains of a cross on the other.
It remains unclear whether these marks were made by the smith or whether they were added later.

It has not been possible to determine who the sword once belonged to. However, the precious materials and high-quality craftsmanship used to make this sword suggest
that it may have been the prestige or ceremonial weapon of an important tribal prince or elite warrior of the Rus Vikings.

The reconstruction offered here has a straight, double-edged blade made of hardened 1060 carbon steel with a wide, long fuller and unsharpened edges.
The engravings are reproductions of the markings found on the original blade.

The hilt consists of a short brass crossguard, a wooden handle section tightly wrapped with brass wire and a generous brass pommel.
The elaborate motifs and patterns that adorn the original artifact have been reproduced as faithfully as possible. As with many surviving historical examples from this period, the pommel of this sword is a two-part construction.
The blade tang was driven into the base, passes through the upper "cap" and is riveted from above. The base and cap were then joined together with two rivets.

This early medieval single-handed sword is supplied with a brown wooden/leather scabbard with a brass guard plate, a mouth strap with an embossed knot/braid pattern and a beautiful sword belt made of robust, 3 mm thick leather.
The detachable belt can be adjusted to different sizes thanks to punched holes.
It features the same embossed motifs that adorn the mouth of the scabbard, and a brass buckle in the shape of two snakes or dragons (a recurring motif in Norse/Viking art) rounds off the already exquisite overall look.

A magnificent piece of Viking history.

It should be noted that this medieval sword is not suitable for show combat. It is designed as a collector's item or decorative object and is also ideal as a prop, e.g. to complete your costume.

Details:

- Blade material: 1060 carbon steel (not stainless), heat-treated
- Rockwell hardness of the blade: approx. 48-52 HRC
- Handle material: wood with brass wire winding, guard and pommel made of cast brass with antique finish
- Overall length: approx. 97.4 cm
- Blade length: approx. 78.8 cm
- Blade thickness: approx. 5 mm (cutting edges approx. 1 mm)
- Handle length: approx. 18.6 cm (handle section approx. 10 cm)
- Max. Blade width: approx. 4.7 cm
- Center of gravity: approx. 15 cm in front of the parry
- Incl. wooden scabbard with genuine leather cover, leather belt and brass fittings with antique finish
- Weight without scabbard: approx. 1.35 kg
- Weight with scabbard (incl. belt): approx. 2.1 kg

The above specifications may vary slightly from specimen to specimen.

The steel used here is not stainless and may show slight signs of corrosion. We recommend regular maintenance of the blade, e.g. with Ballistol,
a universal oil that is excellent for maintaining steelware.

As with all weapons, we require proof of age when selling this item, as weapons may only be sold to customers of legal age.
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