Viking Era Steel (Damascus) Sword - 92 cm
03
days
19
hours
43
minutes
09
seconds
Current bid
€ 433
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 14,000 - € 16,000
36 other people are watching this object
 | €433 | |
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Description from the seller
Viking - Sword
A highly desirable Viking sword, in its form and with its pommel a typical Viking sword from the 10th century.
The fragmented inscriptions point to the inscription = ULFBERHT.
One = ULFBERHT = blade
It is 92 cm long, the blade 78 cm and 5.5 cm wide, with a flat fuller and a slightly curved tip. The blade is probably Damascus steel.
Slightly curved guard (rarer variant) angled toward the blade with rounded ends.
The hilt guard is 12 cm wide.
The pommel crown is three-part, arranged side by side. As usual, these are of equal width.
The large pommel consists of two parts, with the upper attached to the lower by a solid rivet and forged.
In the hollow between them, reliquaries or personal talismans were hidden.
The special and outstanding feature of this sword (Scandinavia) is the inscription on the blade: -ULFBERHT-
Clearly recognizable is the cross as well as letters (or runes) before and after it.
Also known from other swords is the inscription = ULFBERTH also written as ULFBERHT.
Meaning: ULFBERHT made me.
This was the hallmark of the highest quality.
It was one of the best-known and finest smiths of the time.
Other names such as GECELIN ME FECIT (another smith) as well as ATLABALD, BANTO can also be found on other rare swords.
Usually a cross at the beginning and at the end of the inscription are clearly visible.
Somewhere in the middle is the name of the sword that its owner gave it.
Often these names are not written in Latin script, but in runes, which visually does not make deciphering the present sword easier.
As for the condition, considering its age the blade is quite good, and real swords from the period are rarely in better condition.
The blade material is astonishingly stable and the blade still has notable elasticity.
The weight is remarkably light and thus very easy to handle (1010 g).
The blade has been professionally cleaned and conserved.
Regarding provenance: the sword was acquired by former owner H. Heidrich from a private individual in 2023, and had been in the family’s possession since the 1960s.
I purchased it in 2026 from private possession in Germany.
The seller guarantees that he has the right to sell the goods and to export them.
No shipping outside the EU.
Viking - Sword
A highly desirable Viking sword, in its form and with its pommel a typical Viking sword from the 10th century.
The fragmented inscriptions point to the inscription = ULFBERHT.
One = ULFBERHT = blade
It is 92 cm long, the blade 78 cm and 5.5 cm wide, with a flat fuller and a slightly curved tip. The blade is probably Damascus steel.
Slightly curved guard (rarer variant) angled toward the blade with rounded ends.
The hilt guard is 12 cm wide.
The pommel crown is three-part, arranged side by side. As usual, these are of equal width.
The large pommel consists of two parts, with the upper attached to the lower by a solid rivet and forged.
In the hollow between them, reliquaries or personal talismans were hidden.
The special and outstanding feature of this sword (Scandinavia) is the inscription on the blade: -ULFBERHT-
Clearly recognizable is the cross as well as letters (or runes) before and after it.
Also known from other swords is the inscription = ULFBERTH also written as ULFBERHT.
Meaning: ULFBERHT made me.
This was the hallmark of the highest quality.
It was one of the best-known and finest smiths of the time.
Other names such as GECELIN ME FECIT (another smith) as well as ATLABALD, BANTO can also be found on other rare swords.
Usually a cross at the beginning and at the end of the inscription are clearly visible.
Somewhere in the middle is the name of the sword that its owner gave it.
Often these names are not written in Latin script, but in runes, which visually does not make deciphering the present sword easier.
As for the condition, considering its age the blade is quite good, and real swords from the period are rarely in better condition.
The blade material is astonishingly stable and the blade still has notable elasticity.
The weight is remarkably light and thus very easy to handle (1010 g).
The blade has been professionally cleaned and conserved.
Regarding provenance: the sword was acquired by former owner H. Heidrich from a private individual in 2023, and had been in the family’s possession since the 1960s.
I purchased it in 2026 from private possession in Germany.
The seller guarantees that he has the right to sell the goods and to export them.
No shipping outside the EU.
Details
Era
Before 1400
Culture
Viking Era
Country of origin
Germany
Century/timeframe
900 - 1000 nach Chr.
Material
Steel (Damascus)
Acquired from
Private collection
Condition
Good
Year acquired
2026
Style
Antique
Country acquired from
Germany
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
92 cm
Width
55 mm
Previous owner - year acquired
1960
Depth
25 mm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Europe
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Overall Length
92 cm
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
