Ulfberht swords
| Ulfberht swords | |
|---|---|
+VLFBEHT+ inscription on the blade of a 9th-century sword (Germanisches Nationalmuseum FG 2187) found in 1960 in the Old Rhine close to Friesenheimer Insel, Mannheim | |
| Type | Sword |
| Production history | |
| Produced | 9th to 11th centuries |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | avg. 1.2 kg (2.7 lb) |
| Length | avg. 91 cm (36 in) |
| Width | 5 cm (2 in) |
| Blade type | Double-edged, straight bladed, slight taper |
| Hilt type | One-handed with pommel, variable guard |
| Head type | Acute distal taper, and point |
The Ulfberht swords are a group of about 170 medieval swords found primarily in Northern Europe, dated to the 9th to 11th centuries, with blades inlaid with the inscription +VLFBERH+T or +VLFBERHT+. The word "Ulfberht" is a Frankish personal name, possibly indicating the origin of the blades.