Short sword - United Kingdom - 1400-1450

05
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16
hours
57
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14
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Current bid
€ 25
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Edgar Clin
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Selected by Edgar Clin

Has five years of experience working in Parisian auctions, specialising in Russian and Eastern European militaria.

Estimate  € 900 - € 1,000
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GR
€25
GR
€20
RO
€1

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United Kingdom origin genuine Masonic Knight Templar short sword with steel blade, wooden grip and brass pommel, fabric sheath, 57 cm overall, dating to 1400–1450, in good condition for its age.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

Extremely rare, Genuine Masonic(Knight Templar)Short Sword/ Wooden Grip/ Brass pommel/ Fabric sheath.
Decided to put one on official sale due to lots of requests.. as well there was a lots of question about short swords so pls check some info below.

*European knights rarely dual-wielded two swords in combat. Instead, they carried a long primary weapon (like a lance, poleaxe, or longsword) for reach and a short backup sidearm (like a shortsword, heavy knife, or dagger) for close-quarters grappling and confined spaces.

-For mounted and foot combat, knights used lances or poleaxes as their primary offensive weapons. Swords were strictly used as
-As full plate armor evolved, wide slashing swords became less effective. Knights needed longswords to thrust into the tiny gaps in an opponent's armor.
-The short sword or heavy dagger (such as the Messer or Rondel Dagger) was used in tight crowds or when knights wrestled. If a knight tackled an armored enemy to the ground, they used the short blade to pierce the helmet's eye slits or armor joints.

**Unlike modern military equipment, there was no single "official" Templar sword. Knights acquired their own weapons, which varied in style but were always tailored to both devastating mounted combat and close-quarters melee.
Most of these blades were classified as Oakeshott Types 12 or 13, featuring broad, double-edged blades and deep fullers. These characteristics made the swords lighter and gave them excellent balance for both powerful shearing cuts and thrusting.

*When King Philip IV of France and Pope Clement V dismantled the Order in the early 14th century, many knights discarded or hid their weapons. A famous surviving example is the "Temple Church sword," a 14th-century blade discovered in the River Thames opposite the Templar headquarters in London, which is believed to have been thrown into the river during the purge.

*The sword was considered a holy instrument. The cruciform hilt doubled as a visual cross, serving as a tangible reminder of the knight's vows and their religious purpose.
*The swords were often blessed by clergy before battles and were integrated into knighting ceremonies.
*The "Templar swords" commonly seen today are often heavily ornate 18/19th-century ceremonial swords. These were created for the Masonic Knights Templar, an appendant body of Freemasonry that adopted the chivalric ideals of the medieval order.

Seller's Story

I am selling an excess of my family’s private collection, which has been with the Brotherhood since 1725. I am combining everything into one location, a private temple. Please enjoy some of the Masonic artefacts. “Great experience, wonderful customer care, fast shipping! I would highly recommend this seller for a unique experience and authentic objects”

Extremely rare, Genuine Masonic(Knight Templar)Short Sword/ Wooden Grip/ Brass pommel/ Fabric sheath.
Decided to put one on official sale due to lots of requests.. as well there was a lots of question about short swords so pls check some info below.

*European knights rarely dual-wielded two swords in combat. Instead, they carried a long primary weapon (like a lance, poleaxe, or longsword) for reach and a short backup sidearm (like a shortsword, heavy knife, or dagger) for close-quarters grappling and confined spaces.

-For mounted and foot combat, knights used lances or poleaxes as their primary offensive weapons. Swords were strictly used as
-As full plate armor evolved, wide slashing swords became less effective. Knights needed longswords to thrust into the tiny gaps in an opponent's armor.
-The short sword or heavy dagger (such as the Messer or Rondel Dagger) was used in tight crowds or when knights wrestled. If a knight tackled an armored enemy to the ground, they used the short blade to pierce the helmet's eye slits or armor joints.

**Unlike modern military equipment, there was no single "official" Templar sword. Knights acquired their own weapons, which varied in style but were always tailored to both devastating mounted combat and close-quarters melee.
Most of these blades were classified as Oakeshott Types 12 or 13, featuring broad, double-edged blades and deep fullers. These characteristics made the swords lighter and gave them excellent balance for both powerful shearing cuts and thrusting.

*When King Philip IV of France and Pope Clement V dismantled the Order in the early 14th century, many knights discarded or hid their weapons. A famous surviving example is the "Temple Church sword," a 14th-century blade discovered in the River Thames opposite the Templar headquarters in London, which is believed to have been thrown into the river during the purge.

*The sword was considered a holy instrument. The cruciform hilt doubled as a visual cross, serving as a tangible reminder of the knight's vows and their religious purpose.
*The swords were often blessed by clergy before battles and were integrated into knighting ceremonies.
*The "Templar swords" commonly seen today are often heavily ornate 18/19th-century ceremonial swords. These were created for the Masonic Knights Templar, an appendant body of Freemasonry that adopted the chivalric ideals of the medieval order.

Seller's Story

I am selling an excess of my family’s private collection, which has been with the Brotherhood since 1725. I am combining everything into one location, a private temple. Please enjoy some of the Masonic artefacts. “Great experience, wonderful customer care, fast shipping! I would highly recommend this seller for a unique experience and authentic objects”

Details

Era
1400-1900
Country of origin
United Kingdom
Material
14/15th Century-Genuine Masonic(Knight Templar)Short Sword/ Wooden Grip/ Brass pommel/ Fabric, Brass, Steel
Condition
Good for an age - check images
Height
57 cm
Width
15 cm
Accessories Included
Sheath
Overall Length
57 cm
Estimated period
1400-1450
Sold by
United KingdomVerified
1418
Objects sold
99.29%
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