Re: Amount of iron per scimitar? from Simon Miller on 2005-03-10 (Glorantha Digest Vol 11)

From: Simon Miller <simonmiller60_at_fsmail.net>
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2005 12:20:02 +0100 (CET)

Jane, I notice you clipped off the health warming on the larger scimitar:- "Note to belly dancers: This sword is well balanced and can be used for traditional sword dances. However, the edge should be removed prior to dancing. We will be happy to remove the edge for you at no cost."
I felt I should include this in case anyone out there is a closet belly dancer. ;-)

I was very interested in the earlier post (Donald's?) which suggested that the SteelSword legion must have been armed with straight swords rather than scimitars, because the Dwarf-made swords pre-date the Lunar empire.

The Steelswords seem to be armed in quasi-roman tradition (square shields, throwing spears and they used field fortifications), so I have a hunch that the swords might be gladius shaped, and used for thrusting. If the swords were designed for dwarves, does this mean that they are shortswords (which would again fit in fairly well with the Roman connection). Or were the dwarves making them for humans, in which case any sort of sword is possible?

Is it possible that the swords might have been reforged into scimitars?

Simon
simonmiller60_at_fsmail.net >-- fears another of his units of Lunar Miniatures is about to be consigned to the dustbin of history

Message date : Mar 10 2005, 11:00 AM
>From : "Jane Williams"

To : donald_at_grove.demon.co.uk, "'Greg Stafford's world of Glorantha'" Copy to :
Subject : Amount of iron per scimitar?

> > 3kg per scimitar?? How /big/ are those things?

Donald:

> About 450 cubic centimetres - say a foot and a half long, an
> inch wide and quarter of an inch thick. I'd say it was rather
> small even if just the blade is iron.

Quarter of an inch thick????

Donald, some day we are going to have to meet up and let me show you some swords.

I don't own any scimitars myself, so let me do a quick web-search around some people who make replicas rather than swords for re-enactment use (more likely to get weights right)

http://www.loveleaf.net/sword/hist2.html These ... Scimitar Short Swords feature a fearsome wide , curved blade. This weapon of choice for the great warriors of the middle east is well balanced. They were specially designed for the arab cavalry to cut from horses on the run.
22" length
1.1 lbs

Or for something big
http://www.weaponsemporium.com/WE-Single%20Hand%20Swords.htm Arabic Scimitar: The deeply curved slashing blade of the Scimitar recalls battles between the noble Saracen and the misguided Crusader. ... center balanced, this scimitar would give a fine reckoning on the field of battle. The hardwood grip and hawksbill pommel are typical of the originals. ... This sword was typically hung by a sash and bareblade or wrapped in a cloth and slung on the back.

BLADE LENGTH: 30 1/2"
HANDLE LENGTH: 6 1/2"
OVERALL LENGTH: 37"
WEIGHT: 3lbs 4oz

-- 




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