Great Sword

The Kingston Arms Great Sword captures the sheer presence of one of the most awe-inspiring weapons of the late medieval battlefield. Towering over most opponents, this versatile two-handed blade was designed for sweeping cuts, devastating thrusts, and dominance in the melee. Carried by skilled swordsmen, the great sword carved paths through lines of polearms and stood as a symbol of both power and martial mastery.

Historical Background

Great swords, also known as zweihanders, were developed in the 15th and 16th centuries to counter heavily armed ranks of pikemen and halberdiers. Their immense length and parrying hooks made them uniquely suited for breaking enemy formations and controlling the fight at both long and close ranges. The flattened ricasso allowed warriors to “half-sword,” choking up on the blade for greater control during thrusts or in tight quarters. These swords were carried not by common infantry but by elite fighters trained to wield their mass with precision and skill.

Product Details

Designed by CAS founder Barry Ross, this reproduction embodies all the traits that make great swords so admired among collectors and martial artists. Measuring 56 ¼” overall, it weighs in at 5 lbs. with proportions well within historical examples. The 39 ½” blade features a 5 ½” double-grooved ricasso and 1 5/8” parrying hooks, supported by a 14 ¼” fuller for strength and balance. Its 16” handle includes a 12 ¾” leather-wrapped grip, allowing comfortable two-handed use and shoulder carry. The stainless-steel guard and pommel are matte finished, with the double-ring guard spanning 15” across and tapering 12.5mm thick quillons. Balanced just 3” from the guard with a harmonic point 19” from the tip, this Great Sword is functional, responsive, and historically faithful. For practicality, it is shipped boxed and disassembled—easily reassembled by sliding the guard over the tang, fitting the grip, and tightening the pommel.