I notice that now.I don't think it's a bastard sword - it's too long. I'm sure you've heard of a hand-a-half sword, right? That handle's way too big.
I started reading discussions about this a few years back, and I came to the conclusion that nobody knows exactly what a bastard sword is. You don't become a weapons expert from lurking on message boards, but to the best of knowledge it could mean:
- Any longsword
- A sword useable in one or two hands (which is also true for some longswords)
- A 1 1/2-handed longsword hung from the saddle
- A longsword that tapers toward the end
However, museums use the term about swords with certain Oakeshott numbers, and the handle on the picture is too long for it to be called a bastard sword by most standards.
At least we've established that these terms are ambiguous
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