Rus-Viking sword, type Petersen E2

This beautiful Viking Age one-handed sword is a replica of a find that was discovered in 1949 at the archaeological complex of Gnёzdovo near Smolensk, Russia, during the excavation of mound grave L-13.

The tomb, dated between 920 and 950 AD. The original piece, dated between 920 and 950 AD and classified as type E2 according to the Petersen typology for Viking swords, was found broken into two pieces and stuck in the ground.
On one side, the blade bore a stylized depiction of a man, on the other a spiral framed by two crosses. What really set this sword apart, however, was its finely crafted hilt with elaborate cellular ornamentation: the guard and pommel were decorated with round indentations arranged in lines.

Slits inlaid with twisted wires connected these recesses with each other, forming a checkerboard or latticework pattern.

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 wrapped tightly in leather and a generous brass pommel. Here too, the pattern that adorns the original artifact was reproduced as faithfully as possible. In this case, the guard and pommel are hollow and have holes to allow the wire decoration to be threaded through.
As with many surviving historical examples from this period, the pommel of this sword is a two-part construction: the continuous blade tang is anchored to the lower section, and the upper section is connected to the base by two rivets. Both pommel components are visually separated by a twisted wire knotted to the side. There are also recesses with braided wire inserts between the three sections of the "cap".

This early medieval single-handed sword is supplied with a close-fitting, brown wood/leather scabbard with a mouth strap, brass guard plate and strap pull-through with an antique finish (max. belt width 6 cm).

Please note 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 brown leather wrapping, brass guard and pommel with steel wire inlays
- Overall length: approx. 98.9 cm
- Blade length: approx. 79.7 cm
- Blade thickness: approx. 5 mm (cutting edges approx. 1 mm)
- Handle length: approx. 19.2 cm (handle section approx. 10 cm)
- Max. blade width: approx. 6 cm. Blade width: approx. 6 cm
- Center of gravity: approx. 16.5 cm in front of the parry
- Incl. wooden scabbard with genuine leather cover and brass fittings with antique finish
- Weight without scabbard: approx. 1.4 kg
- Weight with scabbard: 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, which is excellent for the preservation of steel goods.

As with all weapons, we require proof of age when selling this item,
as weapons may only be sold to customers of legal age.
Please scan and email your ID, or send a copy by post. If you have any questions, please give us a call.