"Lucerne" Sword - (Type: XVa) (Retired)

"Lucerne" Sword - (Type: XVa) - Pommel-type: J, Cross-style: 8, Dates: c. 1350-1370. Collection: Royal Armouries. The original was found in the Lake of Lucerne in Switzerland. The find condition was poor, with a lot of pitting beneath the patina.

The Battle of Sempach was fought very near this lake, July 9, 1386 between Duke Leopold III of Austria and the Swiss Confederation. Leopold assembled his army at Sursee, about 5 miles down from Sempach, surrounded Sempach and on the same day started to march towards the expected relief army. He did not take the direct route to Lucerne, but rather turned east. He must have known that an enemy army was approaching from there.

The Confederation army had presumably assembled at the bridge over the Reuss River at Gislikon. It marched from there, hoping to catch Leopold still at Sempach where he could be pressed against the lake. Around noon, the two armies made contact near Sempach, close to the! village of! Hildisrieden.

As the knights of Leopold's army approached, they dismounted and sought to storm the high ground. Their marksmen then took the Swiss under heavy fire. Leopold reasonably believed that the Swiss army lay before him, and engaged in battle before his rear units moved up from the approaching column. But it was only the confederate's advance guard that they were fighting.

Blade length: 32"
Handle/Hilt length: 10 1/2"
Overall: 43 1/4"
Balance Point: 2 1/2" Below Hilt
Weight: 3 3/4 lbs.

This sword features an adjustable diagonal suspension scabbard*, a hardwood scabbard wrapped in leather and complete with an adjustable diagonal suspension to fit your needs. A unique design as well as very functional for the few owners that possess one.

The handle is wood, wrapped in leather. The cross guard and pommel are solid steel, polished and fitted onto a full tang that is peened at top of the pomm! el for strength and durability. You can also ! make out the fine! curves in the pommel, with the center of th e pommel being slightly concave.

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