Viking sword from Dybäck with scabbard, 11th century, blade made of Damascus steel

Viking sword from Dybäck with scabbard, 11th century, blade made of Damascus steel

This magnificent Viking one-handed sword is based on an archaeological find discovered around 1870 in a peat bog in Dybäck (also Dyback, Dybek, or Dybeck) in Scania (Skåne, which was part of Denmark during the Viking Age, now Sweden). The original piece can be admired today in the Historical Museum (Historika Museet) in Stockholm (exhibit SHM 4515).

While the upper part of the pommel is missing, the gold-wire-wrapped grip, the lower part of the pommel, and the crossguard (both made of gilded silver), as well as the scabbard throat, which has fused with the crossguard over time, are remarkably well preserved. All parts of the hilt are decorated with elaborately engraved motifs of intertwined birds, snakes, fantastical creatures, and tendrils.

This finely crafted piece of Viking history, dating to around 1000 AD, is classified as Type Z according to the Petersen typology of Viking swords and is widely regarded as one of the finest Viking Age swords ever found in Scandinavia. The animal and plant ornamentation, consistent with the Anglo-Saxon Winchester style (8th-11th centuries), suggests that the sword originated in England or was at least heavily influenced by English metalwork. Given the popularity of this ornamental style among the Scandinavian nobility, who maintained close ties with England in the late 10th and early 11th centuries, and considering the precious materials and high-quality craftsmanship, it is believed that this sword was the prestige or ceremonial weapon of a wealthy Norse nobleman or a person of high status.

The reconstruction offered here features a straight, double-edged Damascus steel blade with a wide fuller and unsharpened edges. The hilt consists of a short, slightly downward-curved crossguard, a grip section tightly wrapped with brass wire, and a generously sized pommel with a slightly upward-curved base and a three-lobed cap. The highly detailed, engraved motifs and patterns adorning the original artifact have been reproduced as faithfully as possible on the crossguard and pommel base. As with many surviving historical examples from this period, the pommel of this sword is a two-part construction: the full tang is screwed to the lower section, and the upper cap is attached to the base with two rivets.

This early medieval one-handed sword is supplied with a brown wooden/leather scabbard with mouthpiece, chape and brass strap with antique finish (max. belt width 6 cm).

• Material: Blade made of Damascus steel (carbon steel, not stainless), handle with brass wire wrapping, guard and pommel made of cast brass
• Total length: approx. 92 cm
• Blade length: approx. 74 cm
• Blade thickness: approx. 4 mm (cutting edges approx. 1 mm)
• Handle length: approx. 18 cm (handle section approx. 9.5 cm)
• Max. blade width: approx. 4.5 cm
• Focus point: approx. 12.5 cm in front of the guard
• Includes wooden sheath with genuine leather cover and brass fittings.
• Weight without sheath: approx. 1.1 kg
• Weight with sheath: approx. 1.7 kg

The above specifications may vary slightly from unit to unit.

Sharply ground and therefore not suitable for stage combat.

Price is for one sword!
Proof of age is absolutely required!