Authentic weapon statistics

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

I was just wondering what some of the best references are for overall dimentions of historical weapons are? Often in my reference books that I have been able to collect the most often described statistics are overall length and weight. I'm interested in thicknesses along the blade, handle length, fuller lengths, thickness along differing spots along the blade to show distal taper, balance point etc. Both European and Asian, but any other lists from other areas of the world would be great too. I'm sure there won't be many texts/websites with everything I am looking for, but as I will most likely hold very few authentic antique weapons I would like to understand them more fully. Objects such as pole arms/war hammers/maces ect are all good too. It will help when I delve into making sword shaped objects a bit more swordlike as well!

Thanks!
Kris

 

[horseclover]

There are no "one in all" references even within a specific genre, history or culture. Modern collectors and those truly researching for recreation are the true sources. While I do occasionally do such measurements for the 60 odd swords I own (most of them 18th and 19th century), I have a long way to go even for my own research. I can say that current producer of swords from those two centuries of western typically miss the mark by a large margin.

There was and is a wide variance even within a single niche, so compiling extensive data takes time and money. Yes, nothing is truly for free. Some makers spend a lot of money and travel to compile data for even just a handful of swords. This is very true of collectors as well. I could offer a few thumbs of rule and generalize a good bit about 18th and 19th century swords but it would hardly be complete across even a decade and one country.

I will spend a lifetime (what I have left, some decades hopefully) concentrating on a few decades of American history from the revolution to the civil war. Narrowing that even further to the 1790-1820 period. Again, I could generalize and point out that past that point, less thought was put into traditions of handling right back to the Norman invasion of the British isles but it would be just that, a generalization.

What we see of premium modern reproductions and recreations might be similar generalizations aside from specific swords and I mean specific sword examples. Pick up a another sword of the same period and one can begin to generalize.

We see a very few vendors such as Kult Of Athena, where they offer some distal taper information over a wide span of all cultures and types but that doesn't really reflect the properties of original swords unless the makers have spent the time doing research.

All that said, the best sources for information are the researchers themselves. If I ever do publish a book on Federal Period American swords, the statistics would only mention the same generalizations of a very narrow cross section of history. Even if I listed my own collection, little would understood by many as those same basic principles summed up in a few paragraphs.

Buddy up with a few museums (or start collecting) and pick up the calipers yourself

Cheers

GC

 

[horseclover]

Also, you might list the reference books you own, so as to avoid duplication of suggestion.

Cheers

GC

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

Thank you GC for your in depth answer, it is much appreciated. I am aware of the broad differences that individual swords will have from maker to maker and across time. My main goal of this post was to start to get an idea of general individual qualities. I have little knowledge of European swords besides some replicas but understand that the actual feel in hand will most likely be miles away from what a battle used blade would feel like. I know of nobody local that owns authentic European weaponry, and the semi-local museum that does have quite a collection seems to ignore any request I send, but I will be in that city again in a couple if weeks and plan on trying to contact them about the possibility of more close contact. I just don't want to recreate the errors I made with my first short sword attempt, and understand the subject more completely. I would love to own authentic examples, but other than a tulwar that I purchased locally most knives/swords/materials are out of my financial reach. However like you I hope that I can spend many more decades refining my knowledge. I am soon taking my reference materials out if storage, so will have to wait a bit to update this aspect, but any suggestions will be appreciated. I'm more of a knife guy with an interest in swords, but any edged tool is within my realm, my collecting focus is on diversity.

Again, thank you.

 

[Alvaro Candanedo]

Also, you might list the reference books you own, so as to avoid duplication of suggestion.

Cheers
I'm going to list some of the books I own, even though they may not be exactly what you are looking for; to me they have been of great help:
1.-The Archeology of Weapons (R. Ewart Oakeshot).
2.-A knigth and his weapons (R. Ewart Oakeshot).
3.-Europeans weapons and armour (R. Ewart Oakeshot).
4.-Armas de la Antigua Iberia (Fernando Quesada Sanz -in spanish, although there may be an English edition-).
5.-Armas de Grecia y Roma (Fernando Quesada Sanz -same situation-).
6.-The Book of Swords (Hank Reinhardt).
7.-There is also a book from the Royal Armouries Museum, a visual history of arms and armour. I have the spanish edition: "Arma" (¿Arms?.

Hope this help.

Alvaro.