Help Identifying Sword

[McQ]

Hi All,

New member. I need your help and expertise to identify this sword. What is it? What if anything do the stampings suggest? Also, there is no pommel or drilled holes in the tang, so how would a grip have been attached?

The sword has a single edge with a very slight bow in the spine with the point moving up. It has an overall length of 46" with a blade length of 33 1/4" and a tang length of 12 1/2". It is 2" wide at tang base narrowing to 1 1/4" just before the point and 1/4" thick along the spine at tang. It has a 9 1/2" fuller on each side. The cross guard is 11" long with a 2" tall ring and a 7/8" diameter decorations at each end.

There are three distinct stampings on the blade as shown in the picture. One looks like a 'window-pane' or 'cartouche' that is 4 7/8" from blade base along spine. One is made up of two 'blobs' side by side that is 2 1/* from blade base along spine, and the last is a half-circle with a cross on top that looks identical to the Passau stamp belonging to the Stanley Family that is 7 7/8" from base of blade in the center of the blade.

Thanks in advance. Kirk

[Gonzoadler]

Hello,

looks like a "Kriegsmesser":

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messer_(sword)

I am sure other members can answer your other questions. My expertise in weapons of this period is too limited to give proper statements.

Regards
Robin

[cornelistromp]

The sword is a variation of the Grosses Messer, in that the grip plates are not rivet-attached to the tang. Instead, the grip was secured by a pommel, pommel plate, or a metal handle-shaped end. The sword is 1-1/2- two-handed; the long grip provides sufficient counterweight for the blade. It dates from the first half of the 16th century, possibly originating in Germany. I don't see any marks that clearly point to the Stantler family. A beautiful, original piece.

for similar see
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=15053&highlight=messer&page=2

[McQ]

Thanks for the information.

The Passau mark is in the 5 image. Cross on top of partial orb. Stantler Family.

[cornelistromp]

The physical Stantler examples I remember had the mark stamped into the blade, sometimes also inlaid with brass. This embossed version, where the mark is higher than the surrounding metal, is indeed shaped like the Stantler mark.
The mark was used by the family from around 1450 to 1650, so this version is possible. Have you found identical ones anywhere?

[McQ]

I have not. It is clearly a hand-stamped mark and not a premade-stamp as the lines that form the cross are individually struck and the partial circle/orb is more deeply stamped on one side. It looks to me like the orb was hand-stamped first and the two arms of the cross were individually stamped on top of it (note that the cross is slightly crooked to the orb). That stamp is much further down the blade that the other two.

Hope that helps.