True adventurers know how important a battle-ready sword, dagger, axe, shield or helmet can be. Hank Reinhardt knows too. Producing museum-quality replicas is his trade, as well as his love. After stumbling across a catalog for his company, Museum Replicas Limited, I called Hank, who is the vice president to find out more. To my surprise, Hank invited me to his home near Atlanta, Georgia to see his 'collection'. I spent a Saturday afternoon in awe as I was led from one room to another where there were enough swords and pieces of armor to outfit a small army. Every room of Reinhardt's home in Atlanta is packed with authentic weapons, armor and shields that would make a museum curator green with envy.

At first, I was under the impression that all of the weapons were authentic. Then I realized that many of them were replicas from Mr. Reinhardt's company. It was really difficult to tell the difference. My visit quickly became a ritual of asking "Is this one real?"

Reinhardt, a charming man of 59, I discovered, is an expert on historic weapons and armor. He owns a vast collection of reference literature on the subject and uses his expertise to make a living. Under his guidance, Museum Replicas Limited produces replicas of armor of weapons and just about anything a well-outfitted warrior might need. From a two-hand Scottish claymore, an armet helmet, cloak, boots or mace, Museum Replicas offers it all. Their 59 page, full-color catalog is filled with items that would interest any gamer.

Although Museum Replicas is primarily aimed at history buffs, the last section of the catalog features fantasy gear. Those who don't mind sacrificing authenticity, can find such things as a fantasy horned helmet, dragon's claw sword, or a fire-breathing dragon lamp. Reinhardt said that the interest in fantasy weapons has been enough that his company plans to split into two divisions. Museum Replicas will still replicate original masterpieces, while the new division, Warrior's Dream, will focus on fantasy items. It is hoped that licensing agreements can be obtained to allow Warrior's Dream to draw from such science fiction fantasies as Flash Gordon and the works of Robert Heinlein. Reinhardt has been a science fiction fan since he was a child.

Reinhardt's customers range from die-hard re-enactors such as those who belong to the Society for Creative Anachronism, to theatrical groups. Movies like Highlander, and Robin Hood featured replicas from Reinhardt's company as well.

"It's surprising the number of people who say they've always wanted a real sword to hang on their wall," Reinhardt said.

Reinhardt has more than a few "real swords" hanging on his walls. Every room overflows with hands-on history lessons. His oldest piece is a Roman spear head from about 380 B.C. His pet weapon is a swept-hilt rapier dating from about 1580.

"Historic swords like these are investments," Reinhardt said. "They go up in value by an average of 15 to 20 percent per year. There are fewer and fewer swords and more and more people wanting them. Museums buy a lot and then stick them in their basements to rust," he added in disgust.

Reinhardt used to be a safety engineer, which required him to travel a great deal. After his wife was killed in an automobile accident, he was left to raise two daughters as a single father. Because he couldn't travel anymore, he had to find another way to make a living.

He talked with a friend who shared his interest in ancient weapons and they started their business in 1985 and did well.

One reason for the success of the business is Reinhardt's vast knowledge of Medieval and Ancient civilizations and their ways of fighting and living.

Reinhardt has traveled the world researching his interest and has collected a vast library of reference books about bladed weapons and armor of the world. He finds blatant errors in most every Hollywood movie production, when it comes to depicting Medieval times.

"It disgusts me to see these errors. Choreographers have no idea how swords were used. Take Star Wars. The light sabre duels were based on 18th century fencing techniques. The light sabers would have been most efficient by thrusting, but instead, the duelists draw the weapons way back and swing."

If you question his expertise on the subject you should know that Reinhardt is often contracted to train police officers in the use of blade weapons in hand-to-hand combat. He also speaks at numerous conventions around the country on the use of ancient weapons.

Reinhardt complains that Hollywood has never gotten it right when it comes to ancient history.

"The recent Robin Hood was one of the worst as far as historical accuracy is concerned. Here is this black Moor running around England and openly practising Islam. He would >have been burned at the stake immediately!

"Another common error in movies depicting the time period is they dress everyone in drab clothing. People who lived in the Middle Ages dressed colorfully. Their world was drab, but they didn't wear drab clothing."

Reinhardt also said that most role-playing games contain blatant errors when describing weapons. He said the fault for this lies in the fact that most reference books on weapons rely on a book called "British and Foreign Arms and Armour" which was written by a man who knew little about the subject and fabricated information.

"People kept buying this book and referencing it and it became gospel. The author invented a lot. He made up time periods for weapons that didn't even exist," Reinhardt said. "For one thing, despite this book's claim, you will never find a double-headed axe until well into the Renaissance, used in the Middle East. This book claims Vikings used them.

"Another blatant error is that the book attributes the invention of mail to the Arabs in the 10th century. Mail was more probably invented by Celts around 700 to 800 B.C."

According to Reinhardt, these inaccuracies have been incorporated into most of the fantasy role-playing games on the market. He feels the most accurate source book on the subject ever written was "The Archeology of Weapons" by Ewart Oakshott, published in 1960. The book is now out of print and extremely difficult to find. Reinhardt proudly showed me his copy and revealed that he had acquired the rights to reprint it. "It is the single best reference book on the subject anywhere!," he emphasized.

After noticing my admiration for an authentic two-handed sword hanging on one wall, Reinhardt pulled down some photographs taken from the excavation of a Medieval battlefield in England. Among them were the skeletal remains of fallen soldiers which had been buried in a mass grave. This particular battle, Reinhardt explained, was fought on a sweltering day. Normally the armor and weapons would have been stripped from the dead. By the time the bodies were retrieved from this battle, the stench was so bad that the armor was left on.

Pointing to one picture of a skeleton with both legs cut off above the knees, Reinhardt shook his head. "This guy probably lived for several agonizing minutes from that wound."

"When speaking of swords, you have to remember this, they are not toys and they weren't made for modern antiquarians to play with and marvel over. They are weapons. They were made to kill young men in battle. And they did their job very well."

With that sobering reminder my visit with Hank Reinhardt ended. He hinted that he might be persuaded to write a historical article for SHADIS on weapons and armor and I intend to follow up on that. In the meantime, if you would like to see such an article let us know. If you haven't seen a copy of Museum Replicas Limited's catalog I highly recommend it. Be forewarned, however, you'll likely be spending many nights pouring over the pages and making a wish list.