ExLibris
23rd June 2013, 11:46 AM
Dear forum members,
I'm currenly researching a sword that was found at an archaeological excavation of the medieval moat of the city of Eindhoven (the Netherlands) in 2007. The sword was returned in juni 2013 after a long restoration. The result is amazing! Because parts of the leather and wood were preserved, this sword is a kind of time capsule.
During my investigation I learned this sword is a Katzbalger, used by the Landsknechts in the 16th century. In this century Eindhoven was attacked several times. The most likely years that this sword was lost is probably 1542/1543, although there were also attacks on the town in 1529 and in the 1580's.
I have several questions about this sword:
- Where was it made? I presume in southern Germany or Switzerland.
- When was it made? The restorers dated it on 1550-1600, Cornelis Tromp from this forum dated it 1525-1550.
- In the scabbard were several tools found, like a Swiss army knife or a multi-tool. Was this common for this kind of swords of for swords in general?
Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge on this interesting object!
Rob
Before restoration
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HpB9EtLGKI4/UcbL90j1EMI/AAAAAAAANPo/EtCmFbrCZCM/w489-h851-no/EHV-SG-07+%252832%2529.jpg
After restoration
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XyFFeENnnow/UcbLTv4mQAI/AAAAAAAANMA/HRTwELigeCU/w514-h850-no/EHV-SG-07+%2528104%2529.jpg
I'm currenly researching a sword that was found at an archaeological excavation of the medieval moat of the city of Eindhoven (the Netherlands) in 2007. The sword was returned in juni 2013 after a long restoration. The result is amazing! Because parts of the leather and wood were preserved, this sword is a kind of time capsule.
During my investigation I learned this sword is a Katzbalger, used by the Landsknechts in the 16th century. In this century Eindhoven was attacked several times. The most likely years that this sword was lost is probably 1542/1543, although there were also attacks on the town in 1529 and in the 1580's.
I have several questions about this sword:
- Where was it made? I presume in southern Germany or Switzerland.
- When was it made? The restorers dated it on 1550-1600, Cornelis Tromp from this forum dated it 1525-1550.
- In the scabbard were several tools found, like a Swiss army knife or a multi-tool. Was this common for this kind of swords of for swords in general?
Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge on this interesting object!
Rob
Before restoration
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HpB9EtLGKI4/UcbL90j1EMI/AAAAAAAANPo/EtCmFbrCZCM/w489-h851-no/EHV-SG-07+%252832%2529.jpg
After restoration
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XyFFeENnnow/UcbLTv4mQAI/AAAAAAAANMA/HRTwELigeCU/w514-h850-no/EHV-SG-07+%2528104%2529.jpg