Back Swords from Medieval Collectibles
A general term for heavy military swords that have a straight single-edged blade and a well-developed closed guard—usually a basket hilt or a shell guard. The blade, sometimes grooved and ridged on both faces, had a more or less thick back to give to give the blade the necessary rigidity. A short section of the back near the point often had a sharpened edge to carry out cutting strikes without changing the position of the sword. The point itself was sometimes rather originally contoured since the backsword was essentially a cutting weapon; however, some military models had blades gradually narrowing into a sharp point designed for thrusts. It was also popular in Germany. Back-swords may be related to later single-edged European blade forms and came in a variety of hilts and lengths. They also include later Hangers and hunting swords, as well as Mortuary-hilt and Walloon-hilt broad swords. The backsword was widely used in European heavy cavalry from the 17th century, and a most popular variety was the pallasch. Also known as a "Mortuary Sword", or the German "Reitschwert."
 Basket Hilt Backsword Item # SH1080 Basket Hilt Backsword Price: $235.85 |
 Basket-Hilt Backsword Item # SH2003 Basket Hilt Backsword Price: $280.35 |
 Basket-Hilt Backsword Antiqued Item # SH2003N Basket-hilt Backsword Price: $292.50 |
 Grosse Messer Item # 07-88GMS Grosse Messer Price: $262.50 |
 Mortuary Hilt Item # SH2004 Mortuary Hilt Sword Price: $256.50 |
 Mortuary Hilt-Antiqued Item # SH2004N Mortuary Sword (Antique Finish) Price: $256.50 |
 Practical Mortuary Hilt Item # SH2076 Practical Mortuary Sword Price: $177.56 |
 Scottish Back Sword Item # 07-88SBS Scottish Back Sword Price: $332.50 |
