Hanwei's Cawood Sword

The celebrated Cawood Sword, named after its discovery location near Cawood Castle in England, is regarded as one of the finest and best-preserved examples of an 11th century Viking sword in existence. Preserved in the mud of the bed of the River Ouse for almost a millenium, the sword has now found a permanent home in the Yorkshire Museum, where it is a leading attraction. What is almost certainly a “sister” sword was unearthed in Norway in 1888, giving a valuable clue to the Cawood Sword’s origin. Hanwei’s version of the sword replicates the lobated pommel and steeplydowncurved quillons of the hilt perfectly, while the wide-fullered blade is reproduced in 5160 high-carbon steel. The weight and balance provide for a very usable sword. No details of the original scabbard are known, but the styling of Hanwei’s leather-covered version is typical of the period.