Matthias' sword paw

[James Gryphon]

While reading A Redwall Winter's Tale, I noticed something interesting in one of its illustrations.

A mouse at the table is shown wearing a sword and scabbard. As he's wearing a habit, and the only known Abbey mouse in the time period immediately after Redwall who carries a sword is Matthias, I assume this must be him. So far so good.

What struck me, though, is that he is wearing the sword on his right side. Swordsmen's scabbards were kept on the opposite side of their preferred hand, so as to facilitate a better draw. This would make Matthias a southpaw.

The book covers are not consistent in this portrayal; arguably the most popular version of the US cover depicts him as, indeed, a left-pawed swordsmouse, with the shield covering his right side, but newer anniversary covers and the most recent cover show him holding the sword in his right paw. Still, I thought this was an interesting detail that hadn't been brought up on the forum before, hence this topic.

[The Skarzs]

Wow, I never noticed that! Odd little things that pop up now and again like that are always amusing.

[Jetthebinturong]

I would consider the original artwork to be more canon than the new artwork so in my mind, Matthias is left-handed.

[Wylder Treejumper]

Not necessarily. In some circumstances, swordsmen wear their scabbards on the same side as their sword and so they do not have to crossdraw. It makes the draw more awkward but reduces the amount of space required to draw. This is requisite in certain combat formations and can be an advantage in enclosed spaces.

[BadgerLordFiredrake]

This is Martin, but he's also using his left paw... (big image)

big image

[close]

[Lady Ashenwyte]

I can't see the image. Could you please post a less blurry version of it?

[BadgerLordFiredrake]

Seems like badgers had a few lefties also...

[Maudie]

That's fascinating. I never really considered the dominant paws. The only characters whose dominant paws are told are a few boxing hares, I think.

[BadgerLordFiredrake]

I'm a leftie so it makes me interested in this

Interesting thing, though - I don't know about other lefties, but my right arm is more powerful while my left has better motor control (such as in writing

vs throwing

).  I'd shoot a gun with my left side but swing a sword with my right.

[Lady Ashenwyte]

I'm a leftie so it makes me interested in this

Interesting thing, though - I don't know about other lefties, but my right arm is more powerful while my left has better motor control (such as in writing

vs throwing

).  I'd shoot a gun with my left side but swing a sword with my right.

You would want to swing it with your left hand. Using a sword isn't about bashing a person to death with it, it's about using right technique to defeat your opponent in the fastest and most efficient way possible, and having fine motor control in your hand is better than being strong in the hand in the sword using department.

[rrrrr]

I'm a leftie so it makes me interested in this

Interesting thing, though - I don't know about other lefties, but my right arm is more powerful while my left has better motor control (such as in writing

vs throwing

).  I'd shoot a gun with my left side but swing a sword with my right.

Wow, I'm the opposite

[BadgerLordFiredrake]

I'm a leftie so it makes me interested in this

Interesting thing, though - I don't know about other lefties, but my right arm is more powerful while my left has better motor control (such as in writing

vs throwing

).  I'd shoot a gun with my left side but swing a sword with my right.

You would want to swing it with your left hand. Using a sword isn't about bashing a person to death with it, it's about using right technique to defeat your opponent in the fastest and most efficient way possible, and having fine motor control in your hand is better than being strong in the hand in the sword using department.

The way I am, I'm accurate enough with my right hand (just not enough for motor control in the inches) so I'd probably be using my right.'

@rrrr
Nice to find someone the same way