A Reproduction Mindelheim type Sword of the Hallstatt C Period
The Hallstatt culture is a late bronze age to early iron age material culture group which I have previously discussed here. During the very beginning of the European iron age, during the Hallstatt C period (ca. 800-650 BC) two types of swords were popular among the Hallstatt complex: the shorter and vastly more popular Gündlingen type, and the longer, less popular Mindelheim type
The sword pictured above is a reproduction of the Mindelheim type, made for me by Hjalmrjarn Blades
It has a blade length of 27 in/68.5 cm and a hilt length of 7 in/17.8 cm, for a total length of 34 in/86.3 cm
Despite its relatively short length, the blade is rather thick, resulting in a fairly hefty sword at 2 lbs 3.2 oz/997.9 g
The hilt is a simplified version of an original recovered from the graveyard in Hallstatt, Austria
The hilt of the original is ivory inlaid with amber. Following suit, we elected to use synthetic ivory inlaid with (real) amber for the reproduction. The original intention had been to use tagua nuts (a very convincing natural ivory standin), however the smith had difficulty importing them
The blade was largely copied from the sword recovered from the "Vorstengraf" (Grave of the King) in Oss, Netherlands
Finally, the chape on the scabbard was based largely on a find from Plaňany, Czechia
Overall, I could not be happier with the end result. Hjalmrjarn was exceptionally communicative and accomodating during the entire process, and the blade he produced is a true work of art.
Cheers!
