These swords do not survive as artifacts or are not and have not been available for public inspection, and their description may be of doubtful historicity.
Zulfiqar, Contrary to popular belief, this sword does not have a scissor-like tip, but a sword that has a backbone behind its blade belonging to
Ali, the first Imam from 632 to 661. The sword's location is unknown, but
Twelver Muslims regard it as a hereditary cynosure along with other messianic artifacts, including the staff of Moses, the ring of Suleiman, etc., that will identify the twelfth Imam (
Muhammad al-Mahdi). The prefix "zul" is a possessive pronoun and "fiqar" means spinal cord.
Durandal, purported to be the sword of French military leader
Roland. An alleged fragment of Durendal is located in
Rocamadour.[5]
Artifacts
These swords are preserved artifacts, or were previously preserved artifacts that are now lost. Their attribution to historical characters may be doubtful.
The Sword of Spiritual Justice (early 17th century), probably supplied for the coronation of
Charles I in 1626. Displayed at the
Jewel House,
Tower of London.[8]
The Sword of Temporal Justice (before 1626), probably supplied for the coronation of
Charles I in 1626. Displayed at the
Jewel House,
Tower of London.[9]
The execution sword of Katte (18th century), kept at the
City Museum of Brandenburg [
de] until 2014, when the sword was returned to the von Katte family.[37]
The "National Treasures" of
Japan includes a list of swords of "especially high historical or artistic value".
The Important Cultural Property of Japan, established in 1950, also includes items, including swords, "judged to be of particular importance to the Japanese people".[44]
The Important Works of Fine Arts of Japan, established in 1933, include arts and crafts of significant historical or artistic value, and thus include a great number of swords. The list was abolished in 1950 for the new legislation of Important Cultural Property.[45]
Kogarasu Maru ("Little Crow", 8th-12th century), a unique Japanese tachi sword believed to have been created by legendary Japanese smith
Amakuni. In private collection of the
Imperial House of Japan.[47]
Kotetsu (Time period disputed), the personal sword of
Shinsengumi leader
Kondō Isami, supposedly crafted by
Nagasone Kotetsu. However, the sword was thought to be a fake crafted by
Minamoto Kiyomaro [
ja].[51]Kotetsu can also refer to several different swords crafted by Nagasone Kotetsu.
Sugari no Ontachi ("The Bee
Tachi"), sacred treasure of the
Ise Grand Shrine. According to tradition, treasures of the Shrine, along with the Shrine itself, is rebuilt every 20 years. Old copies of the sword were originally buried or burnt, but in modern times they are preserved.[52]
The Tenka-Goken ("Five [Best] Swords under Heaven"), a group of five famous Japanese swords:[53]
Al-Ma’thur or Ma’thur al-Fijar, the first sword owned by Muhammad, which he inherited from his father
Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muttalib. The sword bears Abdullah's name inscribed on the handle. It was given to
ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib, and is currently stored in
Topkapi Museum in
Istanbul.
The sword of Simón Bolívar, originally kept at
Quinta de Bolívar in
Colombia until its theft in 1974 by guerrilla group
M-19. The sword was returned in 1991 but its authenticity has been called into question. Kept in a vault in the
Bank of the Republic after its return.[67] In 2011, guerrilla group
FARC claimed to be in possession of the sword, although it was denied by the government.[68]
^Sword of State, (www.isle-of-man.com), retrieved 31 July 2010 This webpage cited Blair, Claude (2003), "The Manx Sword of State", Proceedings of the Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society, 11 (2), Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society
^"El sable corvo de San Martín", Epoca, AF Pombo, Difusora de Informacion Periodica, July 28, 2005
^"San Martin Sable". Regimiento de Granaderos a Caballo General San Martín (in Spanish). Archived from
the original on 2009-02-24. Retrieved 2019-12-24.
These swords do not survive as artifacts or are not and have not been available for public inspection, and their description may be of doubtful historicity.
Zulfiqar, Contrary to popular belief, this sword does not have a scissor-like tip, but a sword that has a backbone behind its blade belonging to
Ali, the first Imam from 632 to 661. The sword's location is unknown, but
Twelver Muslims regard it as a hereditary cynosure along with other messianic artifacts, including the staff of Moses, the ring of Suleiman, etc., that will identify the twelfth Imam (
Muhammad al-Mahdi). The prefix "zul" is a possessive pronoun and "fiqar" means spinal cord.
Durandal, purported to be the sword of French military leader
Roland. An alleged fragment of Durendal is located in
Rocamadour.[5]
Artifacts
These swords are preserved artifacts, or were previously preserved artifacts that are now lost. Their attribution to historical characters may be doubtful.
The Sword of Spiritual Justice (early 17th century), probably supplied for the coronation of
Charles I in 1626. Displayed at the
Jewel House,
Tower of London.[8]
The Sword of Temporal Justice (before 1626), probably supplied for the coronation of
Charles I in 1626. Displayed at the
Jewel House,
Tower of London.[9]
The execution sword of Katte (18th century), kept at the
City Museum of Brandenburg [
de] until 2014, when the sword was returned to the von Katte family.[37]
The "National Treasures" of
Japan includes a list of swords of "especially high historical or artistic value".
The Important Cultural Property of Japan, established in 1950, also includes items, including swords, "judged to be of particular importance to the Japanese people".[44]
The Important Works of Fine Arts of Japan, established in 1933, include arts and crafts of significant historical or artistic value, and thus include a great number of swords. The list was abolished in 1950 for the new legislation of Important Cultural Property.[45]
Kogarasu Maru ("Little Crow", 8th-12th century), a unique Japanese tachi sword believed to have been created by legendary Japanese smith
Amakuni. In private collection of the
Imperial House of Japan.[47]
Kotetsu (Time period disputed), the personal sword of
Shinsengumi leader
Kondō Isami, supposedly crafted by
Nagasone Kotetsu. However, the sword was thought to be a fake crafted by
Minamoto Kiyomaro [
ja].[51]Kotetsu can also refer to several different swords crafted by Nagasone Kotetsu.
Sugari no Ontachi ("The Bee
Tachi"), sacred treasure of the
Ise Grand Shrine. According to tradition, treasures of the Shrine, along with the Shrine itself, is rebuilt every 20 years. Old copies of the sword were originally buried or burnt, but in modern times they are preserved.[52]
The Tenka-Goken ("Five [Best] Swords under Heaven"), a group of five famous Japanese swords:[53]
Al-Ma’thur or Ma’thur al-Fijar, the first sword owned by Muhammad, which he inherited from his father
Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muttalib. The sword bears Abdullah's name inscribed on the handle. It was given to
ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib, and is currently stored in
Topkapi Museum in
Istanbul.
The sword of Simón Bolívar, originally kept at
Quinta de Bolívar in
Colombia until its theft in 1974 by guerrilla group
M-19. The sword was returned in 1991 but its authenticity has been called into question. Kept in a vault in the
Bank of the Republic after its return.[67] In 2011, guerrilla group
FARC claimed to be in possession of the sword, although it was denied by the government.[68]
^Sword of State, (www.isle-of-man.com), retrieved 31 July 2010 This webpage cited Blair, Claude (2003), "The Manx Sword of State", Proceedings of the Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society, 11 (2), Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society
^"El sable corvo de San Martín", Epoca, AF Pombo, Difusora de Informacion Periodica, July 28, 2005
^"San Martin Sable". Regimiento de Granaderos a Caballo General San Martín (in Spanish). Archived from
the original on 2009-02-24. Retrieved 2019-12-24.