Viking sword Langeid, semi-sharp

Product description

This stunning sword from the late Viking Age is a replica of a unique find discovered in 2011 during the archaeological excavation of a Viking burial site in Langeid (Setesdal Valley, Bygland, Norway), specifically from grave no. 8. Made from iron, gold, and silver, the remarkably well-preserved find is now on display at the Kulturhistorisches Museum in Oslo. Spirals, runes, Latin letters, and crosses richly adorn the grip and pommel, making the original—dated around 1030 AD—truly one of a kind.

The pommel features a hand holding a cross, along with letters in the Latin alphabet that may convey a Christian message. The sword dates to the early 11th century, marking the end of Norse paganism and the beginning of the Christian Middle Ages in Scandinavia—context that supports this interpretation and explains the runes and pagan symbolism.

The sword was likely manufactured abroad and brought to Norway by a prominent individual. The grave dates to around 1030 AD, at the end of the Viking Age. Alongside the sword lay a large battle axe with a brass casing, similar to axes found in the Thames in London. This suggests a connection to King Cnut's wars in England, and the man in the grave may have been part of Cnut's army. This sword is classified as a Petersen Type Æ.

This replica features a blade made from EN45 spring steel. The pommel and crossguard display the symbols and letters found on the original. It comes with a luxurious leather scabbard, complete with a wooden belt loop and brass fittings.

The solar cross has appeared in art and mythology since prehistoric times, symbolizing the central role of the sun in daily and spiritual life. Rock carvings from Alta and Bronze Age art on Bornholm depict the sun with rays and possibly lunar cycles. Objects such as the Trundholm Sun Chariot portray the sun as a driving force, traveling across the sky by day and through the underworld by night. In the late Bronze Age, the solar cross became associated with wheels, emphasizing the sun as a life-giving, moving force. This motif remained connected to the Indo-European sun cult and was later adopted by Christianity in the form of the Celtic cross.