8 Largest & Longest Swords in World History [Updated] - Working the Flame (2024)

The sword is a well-known weapon that features in famous historical events, movies, video games, television, and books.

Almost every culture in the world has utilized the sword at certain points in its history. The variety of sword types worldwide is truly staggering. Swordsmiths of all backgrounds fashioned swords with practicality in mind. A sword had to be maneuverable and deadly on the battlefield.

This typically meant that swords were contained to a certain weight and length in order for a soldier to wield it effectively. However, this did not mean that all swords in all time periods were uniform in their construction.

Some of the most fascinating swords in world history were large and long. From ancient China to Renaissance Europe, military professionals made use of large and long swords for specific purposes.

The following are some of the longest and largest swords in world history. Each possesses its own unique characteristics, but all eight swords discussed also share some interesting similarities in their construction and purpose.

1) Miaodao

“Miaodao” is commonly used to refer to several large swords in Chinese history. The miaodao sword itself is a modern sword dating to the Republican era (1912-1949). It averages about 1.2 meters or 47 inches long. The name miaodao translates to “sprout saber.”

While this sword is not commonly used in Chinese martial arts today, soldiers wielded it during the Second Sino-Japanese War in the 1930s to 1940s.

The modern miaodao is part of a long history of large swords in China. One of the earliest versions of the miaodao was the changdao. This variation was used during the Tang Dynasty and measured 213 centimeters or 7 feet in length.

Another formidable large sword was the zhanmadao. This blade was mainly used between 1129 and 1141 as an anti-cavalry weapon. The length of the blade made it ideal for cutting down an enemy’s horses.

2) Ōdachi

The Japanese ōdachi or nodachi was utilized by the samurai during the Kamakura period (1185-1333). The weapon is often described as a samurai field weapon. Its name translates to “great sword.”

This sword was truly great at a weight between 2.2 kilograms and 14.5 kilograms and measuring 90.6 to 337 centimeters.

Historians are not quite sure how a weapon of this size would have been carried onto the battlefield. Many think samurai strapped the sword to their backs. Servants may have also carried the weapon alongside their masters.

The ōdachi was less common than the famous katana but proved useful at striking down enemy horses. In this way, the ōdachi can be compared to the Chinese changdao and zhanmadao.

Because of its size, the ōdachi sword was best used for downward striking maneuvers by samurai foot soldiers.

Besides being a deadly weapon, the medieval Japanese also offered the ōdachi to kami, or gods, at Shinto shrines. The mythical proportions of the blades made them the ideal offerings.

The Norimitsu is the largest known ōdachi in existence. It was crafted in 1446 and measures 376 centimeters or 12 feet long!

3) Oakeshott Type XIIa

While medieval swords are sometimes called longswords, a few particular variations were indeed longer than the rest. Scholar Ewart Oakeshott organized medieval swords into several categories, and one of the largest is type XIIa.

In the Middle Ages, the type XIIa sword was called a “great sword” or “sword of war.” Soldiers wielded this type in the 13th and 14th centuries, with some swords appearing earlier or later than this range.

Type XIIa was a larger version of the typical knightly sword of the time. It featured a two handed grip and a flat, broad, and evenly tapered blade.

4) Oakeshott Type XIIIa

Another uniquely large sword of the Middle Ages was Oakeshott’s type XIIIa. This variation of the knightly sword reached its peak usage in the 13th and 14th centuries. Artwork of the time suggests that knights used the sword in as early as the 12th century and as late as the 15th.

Type XIIIa is similar to type XIIa but has even larger proportions. The grip of this variation alone could measure 6.5 to 10 inches. Average type XIIIa swords measure 94 to 102 centimeters (37 to 40 inches).

These swords are recognized not only for their size but also their flat cross sections, broad and parallel blades, and half fullers.

Scholars believe the XIIIa subtype originated in Germany.

5) Claymore

The Scottish claymore is a famously large weapon utilized during the Wars of Scottish Independence and clan warfare. The sword was most common between 1400 and 1700 but earlier and later versions did exist. The Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689 was the last major conflict to feature widespread claymore usage.

Early claymore swords looked different than the type pictured above. These swords measured smaller and lacked the signature quatrefoil design of decorative overlapping circles on the cross hilt.

This large sword measured an average of 140 centimeters (55 inches) long and with a 33 centimeter (13 inch) long grip. The largest claymore swords could weigh up to 5.5 pounds.

6) Zweihänder

Perhaps the most famous sword on this list is the zweihänder. This sword is well-known for its size. The zweihänder is categorized as a great sword by experts and could measure between 144.5 and 199 centimeters, with 170.6 centimeters being the average length.

Two-handed great swords like the zweihänder are considered Renaissance weapons in their true form. While medieval swords often had two-handed grips, none were used in the same way as Renaissance great swords.

Because of their size, soldiers wielded zweihänders and other great swords against pikesmen. The long blade of the zweihänder could easily knock aside polearms or even cut them in half.

Only the largest and strongest soldiers such as the landsknecht could handle such a mighty weapon. These soldiers could slash and swing the sword while acting as guards.

7) Flammard

The flammard is another example of a Renaissance great sword. This version featured a wavy blade that resembled a flame. Landsknecht mercenaries carried this unique sword in battles across Germany.

A common myth surrounding the flammard sword is that it could more easily cut pikes than other swords like the zweihänder. While this curvy blade looks unique, the sword actually did the same amount of damage as other swords of this category.

8) Bearing Sword

The final great sword variation to make the list is the bearing sword or parade sword. This type of great sword has caused some confusion amongst sword enthusiasts.

Because many bearing swords look similar to the zweihänder, a common myth is that these swords were actually wielded in battle despite their large size.

In reality, soldiers only ever carried bearing swords in ceremonial processions. It is perhaps best to think of them as parade swords to avoid confusion between them and the similar zweihänder.

Bearing swords or parade swords were truly massive at 10 to 15 pounds, but their use as a ceremonial weapon means that they did little actual damage.