Introducing the Signature Series by Windlass! Some of our all-time favorites, reissued by Windlass Steelcrafts® with several upgrades! The blade has improved distal taper, making the sword livelier and quicker. The scabbard now has a wooden core underneath the leather exterior. The grip features leather that is dimpled using a historically authentic “wet-wrap” process, during which fine cord is tightly wrapped around a wet leather grip. When it’s dry, the cord is removed and the leather is left attractively indented and provides improved texture and grip.

In Arbedo on June 22, 1422 the famous Milanese cavalry commander Carmagnola, along with Angelo de la Pergola, 6,000 horsemen and 4,000 footmen, attacked an army of 4,000 Swiss pikemen and halberdiers. As the battle raged on, a group of Swiss foragers wandered near the scene. Both Carmagnola and de la Pergola thought the foragers were another army and pulled back, allowing the Swiss to retire in good order. This bloody, rather inconclusive battle left a large percentage of Swiss dead, although Carmagnola’s army actually lost more men.

We’ve named this beautiful type XVIIIa war sword after that battle at Arbedo, where either side would have carried it. The effective cutting blade tapers to a sharp, deadly point. The 6″ grip allows for one or two hand use. High carbon steel blade. Steel guard and pommel. Grip is wood, wrapped with cord and then covered with red leather. Wide tang construction. Leather scabbard.

Original rests in New York’s Metropolitan Museum and can also be seen in Records Of The Medieval Sword, pg. 189 by Ewart Oakeshott.