11-19-2006, 09:36 PM
Hi there everybody. Long time no see..
That Falcata... Kopis... Machaira... Sort of single edged weapon is pretty interesting.
First of all the style as far as I can see looks awfully germanic. The back of the handle looks very much like a bird executed in the germanic style.
Could it be a seax?
These came in many shapes and sizes.
However, because there is always an however: this lump at the top of the blade looks very much like the little knife traditionnally attached to the weapon we are discussing, cross guard included. It is set a bit too high though.
Incidentally, "falcata", much like "lorica segmentata" is a modern name.
It seems the Romans called it a "Spanish machaira".
I humbly admit I learned it from the ineffable Wikipedia, but they quote Fernando's writings.
So.. It is definitely not a falcata.. Whatever it is.
But whatever it is, I am pretty sure the smith who made that weapon knew what a machaira was. This type of handle can only mean a heavy, single edged slashing, or mostly slashing weapon of the meat cleaver category.
That Falcata... Kopis... Machaira... Sort of single edged weapon is pretty interesting.
First of all the style as far as I can see looks awfully germanic. The back of the handle looks very much like a bird executed in the germanic style.
Could it be a seax?
These came in many shapes and sizes.
However, because there is always an however: this lump at the top of the blade looks very much like the little knife traditionnally attached to the weapon we are discussing, cross guard included. It is set a bit too high though.
Incidentally, "falcata", much like "lorica segmentata" is a modern name.
It seems the Romans called it a "Spanish machaira".
I humbly admit I learned it from the ineffable Wikipedia, but they quote Fernando's writings.
So.. It is definitely not a falcata.. Whatever it is.
But whatever it is, I am pretty sure the smith who made that weapon knew what a machaira was. This type of handle can only mean a heavy, single edged slashing, or mostly slashing weapon of the meat cleaver category.
Pascal Sabas
