| Collectors of swords quickly find that well made | | | | in war, they are still used during ceremonial |
| swords and authentic antique swords are quite | | | | events, because in military type weddings they |
| valuable, but they do require care and | | | | play an important role and during certain military |
| maintenance to keep them attractive and | | | | rituals. They are also part of elite commissioned |
| valuable. Collectors also enjoy collecting the | | | | officer's dress uniforms. The majority of |
| protective leather or metal scabbards that soldiers | | | | ceremonial swords seen today are made of gold |
| carried them in, which were attached to their | | | | or sterling silver with their blades having elaborate |
| waist. | | | | inscriptions or engravings. |
| During times of war, a knight would consider his | | | | Historical swords cover a range of swords that |
| sword to be the most important weapon he had, | | | | date back as far as two thousand BC and are |
| then as time progressed weapons were changed. | | | | inspired by stories of chivalry, which surrounds |
| Soldiers began attaching bayonets to their rifles or | | | | medieval swords to long swords to fencing |
| they would use daggers and knives, which has a | | | | swords that have become popular with collectors. |
| much shorter blade than a sword. Of course, | | | | When collecting historical swords it is important to |
| these were much less effective weapons | | | | be sure you are purchasing an actual antique and |
| because the reach was much smaller. Swords | | | | not a replica, which have been produced with a |
| were primarily used as weapons for cutting, | | | | high level of skill and might still prove to be a |
| striking, slashing, and thrusting which made their | | | | valuable addition to your collection. Fantasy |
| long blades excellent for. In fact, their blades were | | | | swords do not necessary have anything to do |
| long enough for a man on horseback to be able | | | | with history, in fact, they are designed from |
| to swoop in and cut down any soldier on foot. | | | | imagination and will often feature dragons or other |
| Swords can be either a long single edged blade or | | | | animals. |
| a double edged blade and will have a hilt, pommel, | | | | Collectors need to store their collection of swords |
| grip, and some contain a hand guard or a shield. | | | | in display cases where the humidity can be |
| These have been used as weapon in wars | | | | controlled, unless the collector lives in an area that |
| throughout the world in a variety of cultures, and | | | | has a high humidity and in this case swords could |
| they have been made of bronze, iron, steel, and | | | | be mounted on the wall. Collectors should take |
| even tempered steel. Swords come in a variety | | | | precautions to prevent their swords from rusting, |
| of designs which include traditional such as sabers, | | | | which includes not allowing anyone to directly |
| rapiers, cutlasses, and scimitars. These magnificent | | | | touch the blades because skin oils will eat away at |
| swords signify tradition and prestige from the | | | | the metal on the swords. If your swords are |
| past. In fact, a knight was dubbed a knight by | | | | handled, then be sure to carefully and completely |
| being touched on the shoulder with the flat part | | | | wipe your sword off, which will prevent your |
| of the sword by a lord or a monarch. | | | | sword from rusting, plus this will prevent any type |
| Although swords are no longer used as weapons | | | | of moisture from reaching the blade as well. |