When a former champion bodybuilder was cast in the role of comic book hero Conan for the 1982 John Milius movie Conan the Barbarian few could have realized the impact he would have as an actor in action movies and as a personality on western culture in general. Arnold Schwarzenegger was born to play Cimmerian warrior Conan and it launched an incredible career.

Based on a character created by Robert E Howard in 1932, Conan was set in a fictional time period between the destruction of Atlantis and the creation on modern civilization. This mythical part of history Howard called “The Hyborian Age”.

The most memorable prop from this fantasy epic was the “Atlantean sword”. Conan’s main battle sword. It was designed by Ron Cobb and the hero versions were made by swordsmith Jody Samson. The Atlantean has been discussed endlessly by film fans and it still remains a revered favourite weapon in the history of cinema.