Viking Era superb quality, Steel Sword - 92 cm
13
days
05
hours
45
minutes
42
seconds
Current bid
€ 2,500
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
 | €2,500 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €1,600 | |
| €1,500 | |
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Viking sword from the Viking Age with an approximate 10th‑century date, overall length 92 cm, blade 78 cm long and 5.5 cm wide, made of steel with a likely damascened blade and a curved guard, bearing the ULFBERHT inscription.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
We only ship within the EU (not to the USA nor outside the EU)
Viking - Sword
A very sought-after Viking sword, in its shape and from its pommel a typical Viking sword from the 10th century.
The fragmented inscriptions refer to the inscription = ULFBERHT.
One = ULFBERHT = blade
It is 92 cm long, the blade 78 cm and 5.5 cm wide, flat fuller and slightly rounded tip. The blade is probably damascened.
Slightly curved guard (rarer version) inclined toward the blade with rounded ends.
The hilt guard is 12 cm wide.
The pommel crown is tripartite, standing quite close to one another. As a rule, these are the same width.
The large pommel consists of two parts, with the upper part riveted and forged to the lower part.
In the hollow space between them, reliquaries or personal talismans were hidden.
What is special and outstanding about this sword (Scandinavia) is the inscription on the blade. -ULBERHT-
Clearly recognizable is the cross as well as letters (or runes) preceding and following it.
Also known from other swords is the inscription = ULFBERTH also written as ULFBERHT.
In other words: 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 be found on other rarely seen swords.
Usually there is a cross at the beginning and at the end of the inscription that is clearly visible.
Somewhere in the middle is the name of the sword that its owner gave it.
Often these names are not in Latin script, but in runes, which visually does not make deciphering the present sword any easier.
Regarding its condition: for its age, the blade is in quite good shape, and genuine swords from the period are rarely found in better condition.
The blade material is surprisingly stable, and the blade still exhibits exceptional elasticity.
The weight is surprisingly light and thus very easy to handle (1010 g).
The blade has been properly cleaned and conserved.
Regarding provenance: the previous owner H. Heidrich acquired the sword from a private individual in 2023, after decades in the possession of the family since 1960.
I acquired 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 delivery outside the EU
We only ship within the EU (not to the USA nor outside the EU)
Viking - Sword
A very sought-after Viking sword, in its shape and from its pommel a typical Viking sword from the 10th century.
The fragmented inscriptions refer to the inscription = ULFBERHT.
One = ULFBERHT = blade
It is 92 cm long, the blade 78 cm and 5.5 cm wide, flat fuller and slightly rounded tip. The blade is probably damascened.
Slightly curved guard (rarer version) inclined toward the blade with rounded ends.
The hilt guard is 12 cm wide.
The pommel crown is tripartite, standing quite close to one another. As a rule, these are the same width.
The large pommel consists of two parts, with the upper part riveted and forged to the lower part.
In the hollow space between them, reliquaries or personal talismans were hidden.
What is special and outstanding about this sword (Scandinavia) is the inscription on the blade. -ULBERHT-
Clearly recognizable is the cross as well as letters (or runes) preceding and following it.
Also known from other swords is the inscription = ULFBERTH also written as ULFBERHT.
In other words: 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 be found on other rarely seen swords.
Usually there is a cross at the beginning and at the end of the inscription that is clearly visible.
Somewhere in the middle is the name of the sword that its owner gave it.
Often these names are not in Latin script, but in runes, which visually does not make deciphering the present sword any easier.
Regarding its condition: for its age, the blade is in quite good shape, and genuine swords from the period are rarely found in better condition.
The blade material is surprisingly stable, and the blade still exhibits exceptional elasticity.
The weight is surprisingly light and thus very easy to handle (1010 g).
The blade has been properly cleaned and conserved.
Regarding provenance: the previous owner H. Heidrich acquired the sword from a private individual in 2023, after decades in the possession of the family since 1960.
I acquired 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 delivery outside the EU
Details
Era
Before 1400
Culture
Viking Era
Country of origin
Germany
Century/timeframe
900 - 1000 nach Chr.
Material
superb quality, Steel
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.
