Conan The Barbarian

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.

The version here in the Propstore collection has a metal, special effects retractable blade that was painstakingly made by Oscar winning effects man Nick Allder. This single weapon took more than 3 weeks to build and is a remarkable testament to a dying skill within the film industry. This prop would have been used for a close quarters combat scene where the sword needed to be seen by the audience to disappear into a victim. The intricate pommel and guard are detailed with a bronze finish and this element of the sword was constructed by Tim Huchthausen. The familiar ancient runes are present on this version and run down the first portion of the blade. It measure 3 feet long and is a most impressive display piece.

He conquered an empire with his sword. She conquered HIM with her bare hands.