Rus Viking Sword, Type Petersen E1, Gnezdovo, C-15 Barrow, 9th C

Rus Viking Sword, Type Petersen E1, Gnezdovo, C-15 Barrow, 9th Century

This beautiful, one-handed Viking Age sword is a reproduction of a find discovered in 1874 on the archaeological complex of Gnёzdovo, near Smolensk, Russia, during the excavation of the C-15 burial mound. Dated between the 9th and 10th c., the remarkably well-preserved original piece was found stuck in the ground, near the urn containing the cremated remains of its presumed owner.
On one side, the blade bore the inscription +ULFBERH+T, and on the other side, a sequence of vertical lines and volutes, whose meaning has remained unknown to this day.
The sword was classified as a Type E1 according to Petersen’s Viking sword typology. This particular variant is characterized by the simple cell ornamentation gracing the hilt: The guard and pommel were adorned with numerous round holes or pits arranged in lines and forming a somewhat chequered pattern.

The reconstruction we offer here has a straight, double-edged tempered 1060 high carbon steel blade with a broad, long fuller and unsharpened edges. The engravings are reproductions of the markings found on the original blade.
The hilt is composed of a short, lenticular brass guard, a wooden grip tightly bound in brown leather, and a generously sized, heavy brass pommel. Here, too, the guard and pommel closely recreate the ”dotted” or ”pitted” pattern of the original artefact.
Just like many surviving historical examples of the time, the sword’s pommel is a two-part construction: The blade's full tang is anchored to the lower section, and the pommel cap is secured to the base by means of two rivets. Both pommel components are visually set apart by a twisted wire. Between the cap’s three segments, there are also recesses inlaid with braided wire.

This early medieval single-handed sword comes complete with a tight-fitting, brown wood-and-leather scabbard with antiqued brass throat, chape and belt loop (max. belt width 6 cm).

This medieval sword is designed as a collector’s or decoration/display piece and is not suited for combat reenactment. Besides its quality as a collectible, it is also perfectly suited as a prop, e.g. to complete your costume.

Details:
- Blade material: tempered 1060 high carbon steel (not stainless)
- Rockwell hardness: approx. 48 – 52 HRC
- Handle material: leather-wrapped wood, brass guard and pommel with steel wire inlays
- Overall length: approx. 97 cm
- Blade length: approx. 79 cm
- Blade thickness: approx. 5 mm (cutting edges approx. 1 mm)
- Hilt length: approx. 18 cm (grip approx. 10 cm)
- Max. blade width: approx. 5.8 cm
- Point of balance: approx. 11 cm from the guard
- Incl. wooden scabbard with genuine leather cover and antiqued brass fittings
- Weight without scabbard: approx. 1.8 kg
- Weight with scabbard: approx. 2.4 kg

Specs may slightly vary from piece to piece.

The steel used here is not rust-proof and might show slight surface tarnishing in places. We recommend you to maintain the blade on a regular basis, for example using Ballistol Universal Oil, which is ideally suited for steel care.

Please note:
We do not sell this product to customers under the age of 18. Please provide your birth date when ordering. We'll also need a copy of your ID-card or passport by email, scan, fax or mail.

Manufacturer: Battle-Merchant Wacken GmbH & Co. KG, Gehrn 4, 25596 Wacken
Contact: info@battlemerchant.com

Safety note:
- Product may have sharp cutting edges. Improper or careless use can lead to injuries.