This 39-inch medieval arming sword stands apart through the shape of its hilt. A broad crescent guard curves toward the blade, while a decorative scroll pommel finishes the dark wood one-handed grip. The unusual fittings frame a long, straight stainless steel blade — sharpened, double-edged, and finished with a distinctive curved, upswept tip.
At approximately 2.5 pounds, the sword matches the weight of the historical one-handed swords that inspired it, and it ships with a fitted leather sheath.
The result is a distinctive interpretation of the classic European side sword: compact enough to retain one-handed arming-sword proportions, but substantial enough to create a commanding presence in a medieval sword collection.
Stainless Steel Blade — Sharpened Edge, Curved Tip
The blade is made from stainless steel, providing better resistance to moisture and surface corrosion than traditional high-carbon steel. Its long central ridge and clean, symmetrical lines run from the guard toward the point, where the blade departs from convention: instead of tapering straight to a point, the tip sweeps upward in a graceful curve, giving the sword a profile you can identify from across the room.
The edge comes sharpened. Stainless steel still benefits from basic care, but it requires far less maintenance than steels such as 1095 high-carbon steel — no oiling routine is needed to prevent rust. This makes the sword particularly suitable for collectors who want a sharpened medieval piece without the more demanding care schedule of carbon steel.
Distinctive Crescent Guard
The hilt is the defining feature of this sword. Instead of a conventional straight crossguard, its broad quillons sweep upward in a pronounced crescent shape. The guard's wide ends create a strong visual frame around the base of the blade.
A dark wood grip, shaped for one hand, provides warm contrast against the silver-toned fittings. At the base, a decorative pommel curls outward into two symmetrical scrolls, giving the sword a recognizable silhouette from either side.
Included Leather Sheath
A fitted leather sheath is included, protecting the sharpened edge during transport and display. Because the blade is stainless rather than carbon steel, it tolerates sheath storage far better than a high-carbon blade would, though any sword is best kept dry.
History of the Medieval Arming Sword
The arming sword was one of the principal sidearms of medieval Europe, particularly from approximately the 11th through the 15th centuries. It was generally a straight, double-edged sword with a cruciform guard, one-handed grip, and weighted pommel.
Knights and other armed warriors could carry an arming sword alongside a shield or buckler. Its manageable proportions also allowed it to remain at the wearer's side as a secondary weapon. While individual examples varied considerably, the basic combination of a double-edged blade and single-handed hilt remained recognizable for centuries.
Sword guards became increasingly varied as metalworking techniques and regional preferences developed. Some retained simple straight quillons, while others incorporated curved arms, widened terminals, decorative contours, or protective rings. This sword interprets that evolution through its enlarged crescent guard, curved tip, and ornamental scroll pommel.
Explore additional European, historical, and medieval designs in our complete sword collection.
Specifications
- Overall length: 39 inches
- Weight: approximately 2.5 lbs
- Blade material: Stainless steel
- Edge: Sharpened, double-edged
- Blade profile: Straight with central ridge and curved, upswept tip
- Sword type: Medieval arming sword
- Grip configuration: One-handed
- Grip material: Dark wood
- Guard: Curved crescent crossguard
- Pommel: Decorative double-scroll pommel
- Included: Fitted leather sheath
- Design influence: Medieval European sword
Care Instructions
Wipe the blade clean after handling to remove fingerprints, moisture, and residue. Store the sword in a dry environment and periodically inspect the blade and fittings. A light coating of mineral oil or sword oil can provide additional protection, especially during long-term storage. Avoid abrasive cleaners that could scratch or dull the finish.
Because the edge is sharpened, handle the blade with care, keep fingers clear of the cutting surfaces, and store the sword out of reach of children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this sword sharpened?
Yes. The blade ships with a sharpened, double-edged cutting edge. Handle it with the same respect you would give any sharpened tool, and use the included leather sheath when moving or storing it.
How long is an arming sword?
Historical arming swords typically measured around 30 to 32 inches in the blade and roughly 36 to 39 inches overall. At 39 inches, this model sits at the larger end of the traditional range — full-size proportions while keeping the compact, one-handed hilt that defines the type.
How much does an arming sword weigh?
Historical arming swords generally weighed between 2 and 2.5 pounds — light enough to control with one hand behind a shield. This sword weighs approximately 2.5 pounds, right in line with its medieval counterparts.
What is an arming sword?
An arming sword is a straight, double-edged medieval sword designed with a one-handed grip. It was commonly worn as a sidearm and could be paired with a shield or buckler. Most examples featured a crossguard and a pommel that helped complete and visually balance the hilt.
What is the difference between an arming sword and a longsword?
An arming sword has a grip intended for one hand. A longsword has an extended handle designed to accommodate two hands and is generally longer overall. This 39-inch model has the compact hilt proportions of an arming sword rather than a two-handed longsword.
What is the difference between an arming sword and a short sword?
"Short sword" is a loose modern term for compact blades, often under about 30 inches overall. An arming sword is a full-size one-handed sword — this one measures 39 inches — that only looks short next to two-handed longswords and greatswords. In its own era, the arming sword was the standard, not the small option.
What is the difference between an arming sword and a bastard sword?
The grip. An arming sword's handle is proportioned for one hand, while a bastard — or hand-and-a-half — sword has an extended grip that can take a second hand for extra leverage. The bastard sword is also usually longer overall. This sword's compact hilt places it firmly in the arming sword category.
Is an arming sword the same as a broadsword?
Not exactly. Arming sword describes a medieval one-handed sword with a straight, double-edged blade and crossguard. Broadsword is a broader term that is often associated with later one-handed cutting swords, particularly those equipped with basket hilts.
The terms sometimes overlap in modern catalogs, but arming sword is the more precise classification for this design.
Is an arming sword the same as a knight's sword?
"Knight's sword" is an informal name commonly used for the medieval arming sword. Knights were not the only people who carried them, but the familiar one-handed blade, crossguard, and pommel became closely associated with medieval knighthood.
What makes this a one-handed sword?
The short wood grip is proportioned for a single hand. Unlike a longsword or bastard sword, it does not have the extended handle needed to place two hands comfortably beneath the guard.
What was the purpose of a curved crossguard?
A crossguard helped prevent the hand from sliding forward onto the blade and could provide protection during contact with another weapon. Curved quillons also gave swordsmiths an opportunity to create distinctive regional and decorative designs. This sword uses an enlarged crescent-shaped interpretation of the curved medieval guard.
How should I display this sword?
A wall mount or horizontal display stand shows off the crescent guard and scroll pommel best, and keeping the sword out of its sheath lets the full blade profile — including the curved tip — do the work. Display it away from direct sunlight and humidity, give the blade an occasional wipe-down, and it will hold its finish for years. The included leather sheath is ideal when the sword travels.
Is stainless steel the same as 1095 high-carbon steel?
No. Stainless steel contains chromium, which improves its resistance to corrosion. 1095 is a high-carbon steel known for its hardness potential and edge retention, but it requires more frequent cleaning and oiling to prevent rust.
Can a stainless steel sword rust?
Stainless steel is corrosion-resistant, not completely rustproof. Prolonged exposure to water, humidity, salt, or fingerprints can still affect the surface. Keeping the blade clean and dry will help preserve its finish.
What historical period inspired this sword?
The sword's straight double-edged blade, one-handed grip, crossguard, and pommel draw from European arming swords used throughout the High and Late Middle Ages. Its crescent guard, curved tip, and scroll-shaped pommel provide a more decorative interpretation of those traditional components.
