Officers:Swords
From Regiapædia
Officer's Rulings
Authenticity
Last updated: Spring 2015
- Single edged swords may only be used by Viking warriors. To have a single edged sword your kit must be mainly Viking in provenance. Just calling yourself a Viking is not sufficient!
- All swords taken onto the battlefield must be scabbarded.
- Sword scabbards may be decorated with raised moulding. Very simple tooling is also Allowable.
- No painted sword scabbards (although existing painted scabbards are currently still Allowable).
- No side sewn or thronged sword scabbards.
- No elaborately decorated sword scabbards.
Master at Arms
New Rules
Ruling from 1st Jan 2020
- No swords with a blade width under 45mm (1¾”) at the cross guard
- Sword blade length must be between 56-91.5cm (22"-36") long, be at least 45mm wide as it meets the cross guard and have a tip width of 18mm or over.
- Any exception to this rule must be based on an actual find and will be judged by the MaA on a case by case basis.
Existing Rules
7.2. Swords
| Metric | Imperial | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blade length: | 56 - 91.5cm | 22" - 36" | |
| Maximum weight: | 1.825Kg | 4lb |
NOTES
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6. Mandatory Rulings for All Weapons
- 1. All weapon blades, tangs and sockets must be made from steel, iron or in the case of some maces, bronze. They must be rust and burr free and must be of good overall construction and condition.
- 2. All weapons edges must be no less than 2mm (1/16”) and no more than 5mm (1/5”) in thickness. In cross section, the edge may be rounded or round shouldered but must not be square edged (fig. 1). The edges of a weapon must include its cutting surface and any back edges also. This rule also applies to quillions, guards and pommels.
- 3. All spearheads must end in a 10mm (7/16”) diameter rounded swelling. This may be forged into the blade or welded to the point. Other methods of termination may be considered and will be judged on an individual basis. NOTE : “Spoon-ended” spears must not be used.
- 4. Any weapon with a bladed part exceeding 200mm (8”) in length must be made entirely of spring steel. (See Appendix: Notes on Spring Steel.) NOTE : The bladed part of a spear does not include the socket as the bladed part of a sword does not include the tang.
- 5. Any angle made by the edges of a bladed weapon that is 90° or less should be rounded to no less than an 18mm (11/16”) diameter. (i.e. the diameter of a 1999 5 pence piece). Any angle made by the edges of a bladed weapon that is greater than 90° must be rounded over (see fig. 2). This applies to all bladed weapons including spears and flanged maces.
- 6. Any protruding part of a weapon not covered under part 3) or 5) above must terminate in a rounded end of no less than 10mm for reenactment use.
- 7. All spear shafts, axe and mace hafts etc. must be made from a white hardwood, preferably ash. Spear shafts, axe and mace hafts must be in a good overall condition and free from splinters and cracks. NOTE : Ramin is an acceptable alternative to ash but oak must be avoided as it is heavy and shatters easily.
- 8. All spearheads must be securely attached to their shafts.
- 9. All hafted weapons (axes, maces) must be securely fixed to their hafts.
- 10. All swords and fighting knives must be carried in a scabbard.
- 11. All battle standards intended to remain on the field for the duration of the display must fulfil all of the requirements laid down for other weapons.
