Iron Age Celtic Sword

This sword is inspired by the Iron Age Celtic Swords. Like many of the originals it has a short, wooden crossguard and pommel with rivets. The blades on the originals flared at their base, and wooden halves for the grip and sometimes the guard were riveted directly through the blade for a simple but sturdy design. Their skills are ironwork are telling, for the Celtic cultures routinely made swords that were longer than most of their neighbors – a feat considering the quality and cost of iron of the day. Though good warring swords, not all was perfect in sword technology, for there are accounts left by the Romans detailing Celtic warriors often having to step on their swords to straighten them after taking a bend in battle. Despite this drawback and their costs, the amount of swords left from Celtic sites shows them to be weapons of status and importance, and for a culture as warlike as the Celts, a weapon that was ineffective would not be revered.

This sword, made in the Czech Republic, has a blunt blade made from high carbon steel. The hilt and blade has been intentionally pitted to replicate the look of rough forging. The grip is of carved wood. Created for stage combat, the edges are thick and blunt.