Laws of the late Viking period show that all free men were expected to own weapons (swords), and magnates were expected to provide them for their men. The main offensive weapons were the spear, sword and battle-axe, although bows and arrows and other missiles were also used. Weapons were carried not just for battle, but also as symbols of their owners' status and wealth. They were therefore often finely decorated with inlays, twisted wire and other adornments in silver, copper and bronze. 'Weapons were not just for battle, but also symbols of their owners' status and wealth.' The spear was the commonest weapon with an iron blade on a wooden shaft, often of ash and 2 to 3m in length. It was used for both thrusting and throwing. The blades varied in shape from broad leaf shapes to long spikes. Skilled spearsmen are said to have been able to throw two spears at once using both hands, or even to catch a spear in flight and hurl it back with deadly effect. Swords were very costly to make, and a sign of high status. The blades were usually double-edged and up to 90cm, or a little over, in length, but early single-edged sabres are also known. They were worn in leather-bound wooden scabbards. Early blades were pattern-welded, a technique in which strips of wrought iron and mild steel were twisted and forged together, with the addition of a hardened edge. Later blades of homogeneous steel, imported probably from the Rhineland, bore inlaid makers' marks and inscriptions, such as INGELRII or ULFBERHT. Viking craftsmen often added their own elaborately decorated hilts, and many swords were given names, such as Leg-biter and Gold-hilt. Long-handled battle-axes might be used instead of swords, particularly in open combat. The famed, double-handed broad axe is a late development, typical of the late 10th and 11th centuries. But as the owner could not hold a shield at the same time, he would take cover behind the front line of warriors, rushing out at the right moment to hew down the enemy.

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See details  10th Century Godfred Viking Sword Price: $ 205.00 See details  Damascus Viking Sword Can be seen in "Record Of The Medieval Sword" by Ewart Oakeshott. Price: $ 375.00 See details  Godfred, Viking sword Price: $ 475.00 See details  River Scheldt Viking Sword The Vikings had two kinds of duels, the Holmganga and the Einvigi. The exact details haven't survived, but we do know that "Holmganga" meant "going out to the island." We don't suppose both parties came back. Serious stuff, that sort of duel, and that's one of the reasons the Vikings took their... Price: $ 174.00 See details  Saxon Scramasax Price: $ 85.00 See details  Sticklestad Viking Sword Price: $ 215.00 See details  The Clontarf Viking Sword This style of Viking era sword is referred to as a Type K hilt in Petersen's Typology, due to the distinctive five-lobed pommel and straight guard. Find places for this hilt form are broadly distributed across Europe and as far south as the Balkans, dating from the late 9th into the late 10th... Price: $ 675.00 See details  The Gotland Viking Sword This style of Viking era sword is referred to as a Type Z hilt in Petersen's Typology, due to the distinctive five-lobed pommel and downturned spatulate guard. Find places for this hilt form date from the late 10th into the mid 11th centuries. The hilt components are investment cast in mild... Price: $ 675.00 See details  The Viking Vinland Sword This style of Viking era sword is referred to as a Type R hilt in Petersen's Typology, due to the distinctive five-lobed pommel and straight flaring guard. Find places for this hilt form date from the 10th century. The hilt components are investment cast in mild steel from original waxes carved... Price: $ 675.00 See details  Transitional Viking Sword Price: $ 184.00