Single-edged sword

An iron sword, dredged at the end of the 19th century from the channel of the Danube, the western branch of the Oder near Grodzka Island. In the literature, it is referred to as Szczecin I. There are two basic elements in its construction: a blade and a hilt. The blade was forged together with a bolt, on which the handle was set. The sword head of Szczecin I is single-edged - with the blade on one side, damaged in the hilt part, i.e., the end. Metallographic research revealed that the sword has a high-carbonate steel reinforcing plate on the side of the blade. It was used for inflicting slashing wounds. The handle, consisting of a hilt, handle, and head, was set on a mandrel separated from the head. The hilt is an element protecting the hand, transverse to the head. The sword Szczecin I has a short and massive hilt, boat-shaped curved downwards, with a border visible on the sides. The head is triangular. Both the hilt and the head have traces of brass (an alloy of copper and zinc) decoration in the so-called taupe technique, a type of inlay consisting in placing metal applications on the surface of an object made of another metal. Due to the construction of the handle, the sword Szczecin I was classified as type H in the commonly used typology by the Norwegian arms researcher Jan Petersen. Swords of this type, dating from the end of the 8th to the middle of the 10th century, are characterised by a straight and broad hilt and two-part head. They are known throughout Europe, but it is assumed that they may have a Scandinavian origin.

Sławomir Słowiński