Bronze sword

This is a bronze sword where the grip and blade are cast in one piece (inv.# JM 43 630). It was made somewhere around 1100 BC (give or take a couple of centuries), and was found in 1995 by marine archaeologists in the lake Vättern, just outside of Jönköping. There are those who think that the swords of the Bronze Age were first and foremost symbols of status, with negligble use as weapons. Others think that that is wrong, and I tend to agree with them. This (and other bronze swords) is stout enough to deal lethal thrusts and cuts. It should be remembered that they didn’t have any iron swords or armour to contend with, and that bronze can be honed to an edge one can shave with. The grip is rather short. The point of balance is almost in the middle of the weapon, which makes it feel like a metal bar when swung. There’s no doubt that it is a very lethal metal bar, though.

Dimensions:
Length: 780 mm (30.7”)
Blade length: c. 680 mm (c. 26.75”)
Blade width: 30-33 mm (1.18-1.29”)
Blade thickness: 5-6 mm (c. 0.2-0.25”)
Weight: 550 gram (c. 1 lb 3 oz)
Point of balance: 380 mm (14.96”) from the ”pommel”