Historical
Recreations: The Hank Reinhardt Collection!



Dordogne Sword - TYPE XVa SWORD - The
original sword was dredged up from the river Dordogne many years ago. Although
the blade was badly corroded, both the hilt and guard were in good condition.
This sword dates between 1410 and 1450AD.
The Type XVa was developed to oppose
the plate armor that had arrive sometime before. Although plate armor would
be impenetrable to a thrust from a hand held weapon, there were many junctions
and openings in the armor that the sword could penetrate. Gripped with
two hands, both covered in mail gauntlets, with one hand on the blade and
the other on the hilt, a very powerful thrust could be delivered, splitting
mail links and forcing its way through the various opening of the armor.
Although the primary purpose the Type XVa
was in thrusting, many had well sharpened blades as well, which could deliver
a disabling cut to a lighter armed opponent.
The drawing from which this sword was made
is the last drawing Ewart Oakeshott sent me, and this is the first chance
I've had to have it properly reproduced.
The sword is hand forged from a high carbon
steel, and the steel guard and pommel are beautifully formed following
the three dimensional drawings. Sword is sold complete with wood scabbard
wrapped in leather with steel accents.
Hank Reinhardt
Ewart made many drawings and sketches over the years of swords that he examined, and during that time he sent me this drawing, and this is a drawing from an actual piece he was examining. I do not think that this sword was actually photographed or sketched by him for his book "Records of the Medieval Sword". Certainly, and I know for a fact, the book does not contain all of the swords that Ewart examined, handled, and or owned over all of the years.
There are many swords that are similar to this
one and that should not be a surprise to anyone, but if one looks carefully
at Ewart's drawing you can easily see how closely the manufacturing of
this sword followed his drawing. I do remember in the initial discussion
of this sword with Ewart, he was very adamant that the weight should be
close to three pounds, which is what I tried to adhere to, and I am very
happy that the new completed sword is right on in both weight and the dimensions
of the sword that Ewart examined and made the drawing of in April of 1990.
I hope this clears the matter up.
Best, Hank
| This sword features polished steel pommel and crossguard and a suede wrapped handle. Full wide tang that is peened over top of the pommel.. | ![]() |
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The FIRST 20 SWORDS will be hand autographed
personally by Hank Reinhardt. Shown is a sample of Numbered and Individually
Signed Certificate.
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Blade length: 36"
Handle/Hilt length: 7.25"
Overall: 44.25"
Balance Point: 4.5" Below
Hilt
Weight: 3 lbs. 3.2 oz.
| IP-701-2 Dordogne Sword First Production Run Sale. Limited Time only! Pre-order now and receive the sale price. After they are pre-sold the sale price will end. | $239.00 |
| IP-701s-2 Dordogne Sword, Numbered and (Signed by Hank Reinhardt) First Production Run Sale. Limited Time only! Pre-order now and receive the sale price. After they are pre-sold the sale price will end. | $319.00 |
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