Zweihander identification
 

Is it possible to identify the swordmaker for this zweihander sword? There appears to be a similar mark on both parry hooks , but I can't find any online references to such a mark. Any assistance appreciated.

the sword is around 1580 for similar blade types please see
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=handed

almost all the blades of this type have a running wolf engraved at both sides, can you check if this the case with your sword.

16th century swords marks are almost never traceable to the sword maker, a few famous sword makers, as standler e.o. aside.

can you post pictures of the guard finals and pommel?

best regards

More zweihander photos
 

does this help?

guess it would help to attach photos!
 

Still struggling with resizing attachments.

it seems a transition model around 1580, this type of blade was used on two hand swords between 1550 and 1575, the pommel and guard are of a later date 1580-1600.
the abrubtly stopping quillon finals are very unusual, you'd also expect (3 )curls here.
maybe the guard is a bit altered and shortened in the 16thC.

it's a beautiful unharmed original sword, congrats!

best,

I agree with Jasper,

The missing curls on the quillions is very unusual and this could indeed be a later transformation or even a variation on this type of guard. All the decoration on the quillions and pommel is in the traditional fashion and fits the time line of the sword.
This sword has indeed all characteristics of an original late 16th great sword, and they are not deliberately enhanced to make it look that way !
The maker will for now remain unknown but congratulations with this original two handed sword !

Kind regards

Ulfberth

Zweihander
 

Thanks so much for your assistance... I also inherited a slightly damaged polearm that might be contemporary with the sword. Is there a different forum that enjoys looking at such a weapon or do you have interest in seeing it?

Please post it here.

Yes Dayton,

Please do post it here, this will be interesting and this could shed more light on the topic.

kind regards

Ulfberth

Polearm photos
 

One of the tabs is missing/damaged and a modern screw is used to help hold the blade on. It was acquired at auction (Vienna) in the early 1960's . The ring was added to mount to a wall where it has been for 40+ years.

Amazing, this kind of etching on 17 century halberds is so rare... And the quality is unbelievable.
Although halberds, and helmets more often were etched in the 19th century, from what I can see on the picture this seems to be an etching of the 17th C.
It has nothing to do with the great sword in the sense of being a pair, the construction and quality of the work is totally different.
Congratulations again, I'm sure this is an original piece.

kind regards

Ulfberth

Sword hilt in etching
 

Hi Ulfberth,
Thanks for your comments. There appears to be a detailed sword hilt on one of the images... any idea type of sword it is representing? Thanks, Fred

Hi Dayton,

sorry, I dont see a sword hilt ....

Sword hilt
 

I think this is supposed to be a sword...

given the style of the etching, the type of clothing of the etched man and the type of the halberd, I expect that this is not a 17th century halberd but 16th century one. 1575-1600.
the etched sword hilt seems a german basket hilt popular around 1580

the halberd is Indeed from the same period as the two-hand sword, is this a coincidence or do they have the same provenance?

best,

Polearm provenance
 

They were both acquired at auction in Vienna about 1960. They have been in a private collection since then. I also inherited a really old door lock and key with the two weapons...

I meant actually if there is something known about the provenance before this auction, maybe in the auction description.
on 500 years of age, 55 years provenance is historically not very significant.

Provenance
 

Good point.. I have not found any documentation in the estate paperwork and only have knowledge through conversation about the auction acquisitions.