FromHistorical Recreations: The Hank Reinhardt Collection!
The Dordogne Sword, found in the river Dordogne near Castillon "From an original drawing done by Ewart Oakeshott and given to Hank Reinhardt".
(History Lives)

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..

Blade length:  36"
Handle/Hilt length:  7.25"
Overall:  44.25"
Balance Point:  4.5" Below Hilt
Weight:  3 lbs. 3.2 oz.

Note: The blade is 3/16" high carbon spring steel with a full hefty tang.  We tested it on several 2"x 4" standing up and split them with no marring on the blade.  We then tested it on a 2"x4" cross ways resting on each side on a solid rest and came straight down.  It did not cut all the way through but it did cut deep and again did not mar the blade or edge.  We then went to the ultimate test Steel-to-SteelSM. We did 9 good blows, it nicked the blade but did not break the blade not break the tang or handle in either of these test.

IP-701-2  Dordogne Sword (In Stock) Includes signed drawing when ordered.	Dordogne Sword Qty: Price: $259.00Sale Price $239.00
Gen2-Oil ($4.99 each 2oz. bottle when ordered with this sword)	$5.50 / $4.99 Generation 2 Sword Oil Qty: Price: $4.99