Oakeshott Type XXII Swords

Type XXII - Type 22

Blade Length: 26-40"

COMMON POMMEL TYPES

COMMON GUARD TYPES

Flat, hexagonal profile blade with 2 short, deep and narrow fullers. Appeared slightly before the Type 21 in the late 14th century until the mid 15th century and into the early Renaissance period (some were massive two handers). Quite rare, with few surviving examples and rarely represented in the replica production sword market (no replicas of this type are currently in production).

Oakeshott Type XXII swords are a bit of a hard one to track down. Similar in style and function as the Type XXI, Type XXII swords were a civilian use sword designed for both cutting and thrusting and as much of a status symbol as a sidearm for self defense.

And like the Type XXI, few extant examples have been found - despite it being in use for a longer period than its close cousin.

However, unlike the XXI - which has at least a handful of functional replicas on the market - anyone looking for a replica of this sword type is going to be left a little disappointed..

Replicas of Oakeshott Type XXII Swords

There was at least one replica of a Type XXII on the market, and that was the Degesse made in the Philippines (pictured right). However, both the sword and the company that made it are long gone - and nothing - literally nothing has come along to replace it (at least nothing has stayed in production long enough anyway)..

Considering it only barely fit within the Type XXII category - even looking for it on the secondary sword market is going to be an uphill (and probably fruitless) - battle; but there was one replica made by Marshal Historical - though as it was not a popular seller, was not on the sword market for very long..

The Discontinued Marshal Historical Early 14th Century Cinquedea $139.95

So for anyone who needs a Type XXII to round out their medieval sword collection - I am afraid to say that you are basically flat out of luck and the only real option is to have one custom made..

Further Resources

MyArmory has an excellent in depth article on Type XXII swords (and XXI) here which explains their history and lists some high end reproductions and images of actual antiques.

And of course, you can - and should - read more about these swords and all the others in the Oakeshott Typology in his book, Records of the Medieval Sword

I hope this information on Oakeshott Type XXII Swords has been helpful. To return to Oakeshott Typology Made Easy from Oakeshott Type XXII Swords, click here