Hand-and-a-Half Sword

1545–1555

Medium: steel, blued pommel and quillions, leather grip
Dimensions: Overall: 123.9 cm (48 3/4 in.); Blade: 92.3 cm (36 5/16 in.); Quillions: 24.8 cm (9 3/4 in.); Grip: 30.5 cm (12 in.)
Genre: Arms and armor
Museum: Cleveland Museum of Art

Tags

Germany, mid-16th century

About

A hand-and-a-half sword is a large sword with a double-edged blade and a long grip so it could accommodate both hands. It was also know as a bastard sword. It would primarily be used with one hand, but if desired, the second hand could be used to give extra weight to the blow.