books on ancient weapon designs

tomh

tomh

Joined
Oct 3, 2005
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Can anyone recommend any books on knife and sword designs from a time when people actually used them against each other?
I am wanting to get further into fighter designs and not just copy what I see out there currently.
Thanks!
 
Hey Tom, Don Foggs' site has a book list of stuff he recommends. There's a bunch of bowie books out, but the japanese stuff may be the best documented.

Good luck with the search, Craig
 
What many consider, the Bible on the subject is:
A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor in all countries and in all Times. Together with some closely related subjects.
By George Cameron Stone.

The above is actually the title and is printed as such on the cover of the book.

The first entry is: Abumi-Zure a leather guard. The last listing is: Zumbai, a sling, Japan.

There are pictures with most every listing, along with a description.
The book contains over 700 pages.

I picked my copy up for 60.00 dollars.
keep your eyes open for a copy, you will want one in your library.

Fred
 
Just so you know with the armour in Stones book there are many Victorian fakes which are misrepresented as genuine. As well as some misnomers etc. I'm not sure if the weapons are more accurate. Its just an old book with old information unfortunately.

Any book by Oakeshott should be pretty good for weapons though. I tend to check auction house catalogs for images too, however some of those are misrepresented too.

Grant
 
Daemon said:
Just so you know with the armour in Stones book there are many Victorian fakes which are misrepresented as genuine. As well as some misnomers etc. I'm not sure if the weapons are more accurate. Its just an old book with old information unfortunately.

Any book by Oakeshott should be pretty good for weapons though. I tend to check auction house catalogs for images too, however some of those are misrepresented too.

Grant
Click to expand...

Stones book, written in the 30's, was compiled as a glossary of arms and armor, from around the world from ancient times to items more contemporary.

Weather the items pictured are originals or not does not detract from there usefulness to someone who is looking for design ideas from the pages of history.
If, on the other hand you are looking to purchase an antique; I would look to someone who has studied in your area of interest, for an assessment.

Like all old books, the information contained within them was contemporary for there times and should be read with that in mind.
Fortunately, there are many modern people that still read old books, with old information and old ideas.
That's how we make progress.

Fred
 
Fred.Rowe said:
What many consider, the Bible on the subject is:
A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor in all countries and in all Times. Together with some closely related subjects.
By George Cameron Stone.

keep your eyes open for a copy, you will want one in your library.

Fred
Click to expand...

+1 on Stone's book!

I wore out the spine on my father's copy as a kid. It, more than anything else, sparked and fed my love of cutlery, and continues to be a very comprehensive source of information. :thumbup:
 
Take a trip to Chicago and visit the Field Museum. There is a room packed full of swords, spears, maces, knives, flails, axes, armor, etc., etc, from seemingly every culture and era.
 
After re-reading my post it looks like I'm saying don't buy Stones glossary. Not what I meant to say. It's still worth buying, just take my warning into account.:)

Much of the Victorian armour which I'm more accustomed to identifying is actually not functional ergonomically. So it would be a bad idea to get ideas from those.

But definitely worth buying since Freds post is right on point.

Grant
 
Man this is a good question.

I have many books on this topic...but only one that I would keep if my house was buring down.

"Stone's Glossary of Arms and Armor."

It is a pretty aqmazing compendium of "ARMS" from all ages and locations.

It is a good start on building a reference library.

Shane
 
I've been teaching armouring for a bunch of years and have a 8 page bibliography on arms and armor, dealing with many times and locations. If anyone wants a copy email me and I can forward it to you.

Patrick
 
Start by reading the "fechtbuchs" Start with I33, work through Talhoffer,Fabris, Saviolo, DeGrasse, Silver, and CapoFerro, then look at museum catalogs and compare the region and time of the weapon to the book on how it was used, replicate it, and practice with it based on the book of how it was used. When it comes alive in your hand you've probably got it right. If it doesn't feel like you could use it in the manner describe in the book for hours on end without hurting you probably haven't truly got it.
that's been my approach, your mileage may vary

-Page
 
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