Adam Savage Meets Real Ancient Swords!
Adam Savage’s Tested・21 minutes read
Adam Savage and Sean explore original period swords at the Met, spanning centuries and highlighting the evolution of armor and sword design. They examine swords showcasing different functionalities, preservation methods, and unique features like etching, gilding, and ceremonial use.
Insights
- Swords from different time periods reflect the evolution of armor, with designs tailored to pierce through specific types of armor, showcasing the intricate relationship between weaponry and defense mechanisms.
- The presence of ceremonial and training swords alongside functional ones highlights the multifaceted roles swords played beyond combat, serving as symbols of status, tools for instruction, and elements of elaborate craftsmanship and design in various historical contexts.
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Recent questions
What is the significance of the Running Wolf Mark on swords?
Quality indication from Passau, copied for excellence.
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Summary
00:00
"Evolution of European Swords Through History"
- Adam Savage is in the armor conservation Lab at the Metropolitan Museum of Art with Sean, examining original period swords.
- They have a selection of eight original period swords, ranging from the 13th century to 1790, focusing on European double-edged blades.
- The 13th-century sword they start with showcases the construction of the guard, blade, and tang, emphasizing its light weight and balance.
- Swords from different time periods reflect the evolution of armor, from mail to plate armor, and the need for different sword designs to pierce through armor.
- A 15th-century sword with a diamond cross-section is designed for piercing through mail, targeting gaps in armor.
- A 15th-century sword with a fuller blade is more focused on cutting than piercing, suitable for combat against less armored opponents.
- The Running Wolf Mark on some swords indicates high-quality blades made in Passau, copied by other cities for their quality.
- Some swords show evidence of gilding and inscriptions, reflecting their history and origins.
- The swords' preservation and cleaning over the years indicate a mix of conservation practices, with some swords showing signs of disassembly and cleaning.
- A unique ceremonial or practice sword from Munich in 1575, with a rounded tip and blunted edges, suggests it was used for training or ceremonial purposes.
14:15
Evolution of Swords: From Function to Fashion
- Fencing manuals depict dedicated training swords used long after functional swords fell out of use, serving as a sport or gentlemanly expectation.
- The etching on swords can be off-center, with differential wear due to hanging on walls, showcasing beautiful furniture work.
- A military-issued sword from the personal army of the Elector of Saxony contrasts with a civilian rapier, both identical in weight but designed for different purposes.
- A unique rapier with inlaid silver chain and jewels, possibly Italian, showcases a functional blade and ornate hilt primarily for show.
- A small sword from 1790, light and designed as a costume item, features a steel hilt with rotating blue steel beads, suitable for mourning attire due to its somber design.
