Petersen Type H/I “Ulfberht”Sword

Part of Deepeeka's Gunther series, recreating a sword unearthed in 1949 from the Birka Barrow Cemetery, Sweden, during D. Avdusin's excavation of a double cremation burial. Inspired by rare finds from the Birka Barrow Cemetery in present-day Sweden. The original swords of this form date from the early 9th to mid-10th century, a period when the legendary Ulfberht blades were renowned throughout Europe for their exceptional craftsmanship and high-quality steel.

This sword is difficult to classify with precision, since Petersen's own Type H and Type I are frequently related, differing mainly in the size of the crossguard and pommel base. The majority of surviving H/I swords come from the Birka Barrow Cemetery in present-day Sweden, dated from the early 9th to the middle of the 10th century. This particular pattern was recovered in 1949 during D. Avdusin's excavation of Barrow L-35, which contained a double cremation burial. One face of the blade bore an 'ULFBREH+T' mark, the other a lattice-weave design; traces of brass or copper on the pommel suggest it may once have carried a copper coating, and a related find indicates the crossguard's upper and lower surfaces were once covered in thin brass plates, riveted to the iron frame beneath.

Part of Deepeeka's Gunther series of historian-guided Viking sword reconstructions, this piece reproduces the lattice-weave design as faithful etchings on both blade faces.

Suited to collectors of Swedish Viking Age history and to living history presentations of the Birka trading settlement period.

Overall Length 37 3/8"
Blade Length 30 7/8"
Weight 2 lb 15.2 oz
Edge Blunted
Width 54.5 mm
Thickness 4.8 mm - 4.5 mm
Pommel Peened
P.O.B. 6 1/8"
Blade [EN45 High Carbon Steel]
Class Battle Ready
Culture Viking
Manufacturer Deepeeka
Country of Origin India