The Weight of Combat Swords: From Light and Maneuverable to Heavy and Powerful
When it comes to the historical weapon of choice, the sword, one cannot help but wonder how heavy they could have actually been. From the light and agile blades of the ancient times to the more cumbersome and powerful swords of modern history, the weight of these weapons played a significant role in their effectiveness on the battlefield.
Common Weights of Swords
In general, the preferred weight of a sword primarily used as a sidearm and to be wielded by one hand typically ranged between 1 to 3 pounds. This principle held true across various types of swords, be it a military saber, a one-handed arming sword, or a smallsword. Even in the case of two-handed swords, which were still small enough to be worn as sidearms, the weight was generally within the 3 to 4 pounds range.
For instance, swords meant for cutting and chopping, such as greatswords, were notably heavier, usually around 5 to 7 pounds. The heaviest documented greatsword was the Claymore, which weighed a staggering 24.25 pounds or approximately 11 kgs. For perspective, a military historian often cited the Roman gladius as the most effective combat weapon prior to gunpowder, weighing in at a lighter 700 grams. Regardless of the type and era, the weight of a combat sword was carefully crafted to balance between lethality and maneuverability.
Historical Examples
A zweihander, a German greatsword around two meters in length, exemplified the lighter end of the spectrum, weighing roughly 2 kilograms. Meanwhile, a longsword, another similar type of sword, weighed between 1 to 1.5 kilograms, while single-handed swords generally fell within the range of 700 to 900 grams.
The weighting of swords was often influenced by the weapon’s intended use. Lightweight swords, such as rapiers, were designed for a quick and precise piercing action, weighing around 400 grams. These swords prioritized speed and agility over cutting and chopping capabilities. On the other end of the spectrum, two-handed swords like the Claymore were not just weapons but often resembled polearms, with features like a ricasso (an unsharpened grip on the blade itself) to aid in half-swording techniques. The heaviest recorded combat swords, built for a more robust combat style, clocked in at around 3 to 3.5 kilograms.
Factors Influencing the Weight
The weight of a sword was not merely a design choice but a necessity. Historians and martial artists often agree that the heaviest effective weight a human can vigorously manipulate with one hand over a prolonged period is roughly 1 to 3 pounds. Anything heavier would compromise the sword's utility, especially in combat scenarios where quickness and agility were crucial. This is a fundamental principle that has remained largely unchanged throughout most of human history.
Additionally, the materials used and the construction techniques of the time were crucial. The heaviest swords were typically used by individuals with disproportionate physical strength, such as a person "built like a brick outhouse." This implies that the weight limits were not just physiological but also depended on the wielder's physical capabilities.
As weapons evolved, however, so did the requirements of the battlefield. Heavy swords like the Claymore were more about power and presence than agility. They were often used in large-scale skirmishes where the sheer weight of the blade could intimidate and dominate the enemy.
Machineguns and Modern Combat
It is worth noting that the principles of weight management in combat hardware extend beyond swords. Just as machineguns, which can be as heavy as 25 pounds, are not typically swung but rather mounted on bipods, swords have their weight limits. A 25-pound sword would be impractical and ineffective compared to a more nimble weapon, much like a machinegun.
Therefore, the weight of a sword was not only a matter of design but also a strategic choice based on the intended use in combat. The interplay between weight and effectiveness in historical and modern weapons remains an important consideration in understanding the dynamics of warfare and martial arts.