Owned and headed by Fulvio Del Tin in Italy, The Del Tin Armi Antiche company started its activity of manufacturing of replicas of old weapons in 1965. The Del Tin armi Atiche Company of Italty was started in 1965 by the father of the current owner, Fulvio Del Tin, who works alongside his two brothers in the manufacture of replicas of old weapons. Del Tin receives many requests for combat swords, and in response, Del Tin strives to improve steel quality and the hardening process of its products.

From 1985 through 1997, Museum Replicas had the exclusive sale for all Del Tin's replica swords and daggers in the United States. Their first catalog (Catalog No. 1) contained only Del Tin products. Around 1994, Del Tin began to supply Museum Replicas with just sword blades also, which Museum Replicas outfitted to create full swords of their own designs. Featured on the right is Museum Replicas "Gothic Bastard Sword" which originally featured a Del Tin blade. However, more recently, Museum Replicas began to outfit their products with the blades of parent company Windlass Steelcrafts.

Many fans have written in and provided much feedback regarding the poor quality of Windlass blades. They are more prone to damage when used for swordplay re-enactment, despite the quality improvement process that Museum Replicas states they have made to Windlass Steelcrafts' forging process.

On the other hand, the durability of Del Tin's blades is reflected by their use by swordmaster Malipiero and his swordfighting troupe in Fulvio's region, reportedly with very successful results. However, Hollywood-illusions aside, even the best swords can be broken, as real swords are not the same as thick pieces of iron. Del Tin's swords, however, have exceeded customers' expectations!

There has been much concern among fans if their recent purchase is a Del-Tin blade, or a Windlass (India) blade. This logo, featured to the left, may be found concealed by the guard of your sword, should you disassemble your weapon.

Del Tin's Gothic Bastard Sword?

Through much discussion on Sword Forum, Fulvio has made available a Del Tin version of the Gothic Bastard Sword, called the Gothic Hand and a Half Sword. Click on the sword picture on the left to enlarge it. The sword, in our opinion, surpasses the quality of Museum Replicas Limited's version of the Gothic Bastard Sword, not just by virtue of a superior blade (the original blade that Museum Replicas had used before turning to Windlass of India to provide them) but the workmanship is exquisite and is far less prone to damage than that which we've encountered with Museum Replicas' version.

Used in Movies

Del Tin's work has been featured in some important Museums such as the Royal Armouries Museum of Leeds, U.K. Also, Del Tin's replicas have recently been used in some films such as Braveheart and Robin Hood which won the Oscar prize. The swords in Braveheart - including some axes and spears - were chosen from Fulvio's range of 13th and 14th century swords. While the blade of William Wallace was made by Fulvio, the hilt design was by Simon Atherton. This two handed sword is indigenous to the 15th century.

Del Tin's steel comprises well-tempered Chrome-Vanadium steel with a hardness of 50 HCR. Fulvio Del Tin himself tempers the steel, a very delicate operation which depends the good manufacturing of the blade on. Fulvio relates that he would like to converse with Highlander fans and would be happy to answer any questions.

Del Tin Metallurgy

Featured here to the left is an example of Del Tin's blades used in the movie The Three Musketeers (Simon Atherton worked on the hilts). Recently, Fulvio began using a chromium-vandium steel known as 50CRV4. Reportedly, this steel is working out extremely well in tests by swordmaster Malipiero. This steel has a higher tensile strength (750 N/mm2) than CK50 and CK55 (600 N/mm2). This steel contains a mere 0.75 - 1.25% chromium - not enough to make it a stainless steel, but the metallurgical composition makes 50CRV4 a good spring steel. "A little chromium is a good thing, like drinking a glass of wine," says Fulvio. "But do not drink too much!"

Blade Finish and Sharpness

Del Tin blades are shipped semi sharp for your safety. As many of us who order swords are likely to not necessarily have proper period fighting training, a fully sharpened sword can be a danger to loved ones, etc. These blades can most certainly be made sharpened.

From the floors of Del Tin Armi Antiche, the swords are shipped with a varnish finish that protects the entirety of the sword and not just the blade. Fingerprints must be cleaned with a soft cloth and oil (a non-corrosive gun oil is ideal. WD40 is generally not recommended because it's a solvent, and it evaporates quickly, leaving the blade unprotected. See our article on Cleaning Agents for more information). As you may know, finger print oils are acidic, and can cause long term damage to any low alloy high carbon steel.

Be sure not to use any solvent that would remove the varnish, as the varnish helps protect the blade from rusting too quickly. However, if a sword is not taken care of and has rusted, then this varnish would indeed have to be removed so that the blade can be cleaned of the rust.

Conclusion

Fulvio Del Tin is a frequent visitor of our online Sword Forum where he can answer questions regarding your Del Tin swords!

Del Tin Armi Antiche Website - this is Del Tin's website. Del Tin swords can be purchased directly. However, Del Tin sells at better prices through distributors. Visit the websites below. At this time, The HSG fully endorses Christian Fletcher, who has become a favorite for Sword Forum visitors!

Articles

Fulvio Del Tin - The Man and His Swords by Björn Hellqvist