Reading through "The Wallace Collection" (Sir James Mann, 1962): The plate referencing the 'wolf' marks on many of the swords in the catalog.
Item A475: a bastard sword c.1620 with German blade c. 1520
The terribly incised 1415 accompanies the typical choppy 'wolf' .
This suggests by early 16th c. the wolf was in use on sword blades. Mann notes the numerals have nothing to do with dates, and also seen on daggers. With 1414 and 1441 far more common and with running wolf.
Also seen are 1469 and 1515.
On A487 this assembly of marks are virtually indiscernible, but seem to be multiple attempts at the wolf on a German sword late 15th c
A478 and A484 both German bastard swords 1st half 16th c. 484 the wolf is in latten (brass filled).
A485: German mid 16th
A 469: German c.1580
The curious mark next to the wolf is barely discernible half orb and cross.
This is mindful of a sword (c1588) of Wolfgang Stantler of both Passau and Munich. The cross and orb seems most aligned with S. Germany.
A572 (not pictured): rapier with German blade c. 1600. The markings seem to hint at Melchior Diefstetter of Munich. The crowned markings are from Italian form (I think Milan) but show spurious use along with again, the terribly executed wolf. One wonders who actually put these marks on blade, as these smiths proud of their blades would seem to think these almost defacing.
A620: a rapier c.1620 noted Solingen ....it seems odd that in this late period, the wolf is so archaic in application. Many examples of this time are so much more defined, clearly suggesting the application of these was seemingly a 'token' act. It was a 'wolf' mark, and need not be well defined to carry the 'magic' or talismanic imbuement well known from 'Passau art'. (magic).
The second chart is from "Cut & Thrust Weapons" (Eduard Wagner, 1967, Prague). This presumes that there is some sort of chronology or developmental pattern for this ubiquitous and widely varied symbol.
This was of course not the case, and application seems to have been by individuals outside the original blade production in many cases, While some consistency seems present in the orientation and often accompanying marks such as the numbers discussed, the variation appears more to the circumstances of application. Often unskilled persons in armorers shops may have added these marks to enhance trade or sale potential.
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