Firangi (sword)
The firangi (/fəˈrɪŋɡiː/; derived from the Arabic term (al- faranji) for a Western European [a "Frank"]), (Marathi:फिरंगाना) was an Indian sword type which used blades manufactured in Western Europe and imported by the Portuguese, or made locally in imitation of European blades.
Physical characteristics
The firangi sword characteristically had a long, 89 to 96 centimetres (35 to 38 in), straight blade of either broadsword (two edged) or, more commonly backsword (single edged) form. The blade often incorporated one, two, or three fullers (grooves) and had a spear-tip shaped point. The sword could be used to both cut and thrust. Examples with narrow rapier blades have survived, though in small numbers. The hilt was of the type sometimes called the "Indian basket-hilt" and was identical to that of another Indian straight-bladed sword the khanda. The hilt afforded a substantial amount of protection for the hand and had a prominent spike projecting from the pommel which could be grasped, resulting in a two-handed capability for the sword. Like other contemporary Indian swords the hilt of the firangi was usually of iron and the tang of the blade was attached to the hilt using a very strong resin, additionally, the hilt to blade connection was reinforced by projections from the hilt onto either face of the forte of the blade which were riveted together though a hole passing through the blade. The finest examples of this type of sword can have extensive gold "koftigari" decoration to both hilt and blade.
Sword
A sword is a bladed weapon intended for both cutting and thrusting. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration. A sword in the most narrow sense consists of a straight blade with two edges and a hilt, but depending on context, the term is also often used to refer to bladed weapons with a single edge (also referred to as a backsword).
Historically, the sword developed in the Bronze Age, evolving from the dagger; the earliest specimens date to ca. 1600 BC. The later Iron Age sword remained fairly short and without a crossguard. The spatha, as it developed in the Late Roman army, became the predecessor of the European sword of the Middle Ages, at first adopted as the Migration period sword, and only in the High Middle Ages, developed into the classical arming sword with crossguard. The word sword continues the Old English, sweord.
The use of a sword is known as swordsmanship or (in an early modern or modern context) as fencing. In the Early Modern period, western sword design diverged into roughly two forms, the thrusting swords and the sabers:
Sword (band)
Sword is a Canadian heavy metal band that was active in the 1980s and just announced a reunion for 2011.
History
In the early 80's, south of Montreal in Saint Bruno, Quebec, Rick (vocals) and Dan Hughes (drums) formed a heavy metal band called Sword. They were joined by guitarist Mike Plant and bassist Mike Larocque in the first lineup of the band. They signed their first commercial contract in 1984 with Aquarius Records.
Sword released two albums for Aquarius in the late 80s; the debut album Metalized in 1986 and its follow-up Sweet Dreams in 1988. They toured in the support slot for Motörhead and Alice Cooper, and the group was hand-picked to open for Metallica on the 1986 Master of Puppets tour.
After disbanding, Rick Hughes formed Saints & Sinners and released a self-titled album with them.
In 2006, Aquarius Records released The Best of Sword a compilation album, which was in stores on Tuesday, October 31.
Throughout their career, Sword sold in excess of 180,000 albums.
On February 17, 2011 it was announced that Sword had reunited and were rehearsing for live shows to come.
Sword (disambiguation)
A sword is a cutting and/or thrusting weapon.
Sword, Swords, or The Sword may also refer to:
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