Bosworth Longsword

The name points to the Battle of Bosworth on 22 August 1485, the decisive clash of the Wars of the Roses between York and Lancaster. Richard III died there — the last king of England to fall in battle — and the crown passed to Henry Tudor. The sword is not a copy of any particular piece from that field but a hand-and-a-half longsword in the idiom of the period: a long, straight blade and a grip with room for both hands.

Here the numbers work in the sword’s favour. Of its 120 cm, 92 cm is blade, which leaves 28 cm for guard, grip and pommel — the second hand has somewhere to sit. At 1.3 kg it falls within the range of period originals, which at this blade length usually ran 1.2–1.6 kg, and the point of balance lies 9 cm in front of the guard, close to the hand. In practice it is a lively, obedient sword: the point goes where the wrist sends it, and changing line does not mean hauling mass around.

The blade is 1065 carbon steel — about 0.65 per cent carbon, a touch more than the popular 1060. The hardness is the more interesting figure: 50 HRC is clearly lower than the 55–58 HRC quoted for many sharp replicas. A blade like this forgives more — against a hard target it will bend sooner than chip, and an ordinary whetstone brings the edge back. The price is an edge that dulls faster under heavy cutting. According to the maker’s data, the tang that carries the hilt is very wide and heat-treated to the same 50 HRC.

The sword is made by Windlass Steelcrafts in India. The set includes a matching scabbard with a belt attachment and the maker’s certificate of authenticity.

1065 is not stainless. Wipe the blade after every use and give it a thin coat of oil, and look in on it now and then even while it hangs in the scabbard — a scabbard shuts moisture in with the steel.

Note: this piece comes with a factory-sharpened edge, meant for collecting and for cutting practice on mats. It is not suitable for sparring with a partner — contact calls for blunt gear with an edge at least 2 mm thick and a rounded tip.

• Factory-sharpened blade — ready for cutting practice
• 1065 carbon steel at 50 HRC — a hardness that forgives
• 1.3 kg on a 92 cm blade — within the range of period originals
• Point of balance 9 cm in front of the guard — nimble in the hand
• Very wide tang, heat-treated to 50 HRC
• Scabbard with belt attachment and maker’s certificate included
• A single piece — once it sells, the listing goes