Katzbalgers and Related Landsknecht Swords

Matchlock · 22nd February 2009, 05:37 PM

All in the German Historic Museum (DHM) Berlin.

The scans are taken from old German Democratic Republic photos.

Michael

Matchlock · 22nd February 2009, 05:39 PM

One more detail.

Matchlock · 25th February 2009, 09:42 PM

A Landsknecht with his Katzbalger and a harquebusier with powder horn and what seems to be a tiller stocked bronze barrel gun.

Details from the Resurrection scene on the so called Herscheider Altar Piece, early 16th century, now preserved at the Museum of Burg (castle) Altena, Westphalia.

Michael

broadaxe · 25th February 2009, 10:51 PM

Very interesting pics, they show the diversity of the katzbalger. I'm interested in particular with (the rather unusual) curved versions and the longer, two-handed katzbalger. Here are pics of such, taken at the Hussar Museum in Eger, Hungary, and a pic of a Hungarian broad sword, fitted with what might be a katzbalger's blade.

kisak · 26th February 2009, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by broadaxe

I'm interested in particular with (the rather unusual) curved versions

I know of one such sword having been found in Sweden (Västerås), a modern copy can be seen here: http://histvarld.historiska.se/histv...skn_balte.html
http://histvarld.historiska.se/histv...d/IMG_2948.jpg

Summing up the information in the text, it's believed to be from ca 1520-30, is of bastard sword size, and marries a grosse messer blade to a katzbalger guard. The original grip was lost, and this one is a guess based upon a similar messer in the Wallace collection. Probably German in origin. It's called kaninholmssabeln ("the Kaninholm saber"),which I guess could mean that it was found at an island known as Kaninholmen.

Matchlock · 26th February 2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kisak

I know of one such sword having been found in Sweden (Västerås), a modern copy can be seen here: http://histvarld.historiska.se/histv...skn_balte.html
http://histvarld.historiska.se/histv...d/IMG_2948.jpg

Summing up the information in the text, it's believed to be from ca 1520-30, is of bastard sword size, and marries a grosse messer blade to a katzbalger guard. The original grip was lost, and this one is a guess based upon a similar messer in the Wallace collection. Probably German in origin. It's called kaninholmssabeln ("the Kaninholm saber"),which I guess could mean that it was found at an island known as Kaninholmen.

Kisak,

Could you please post pictures of the original piece and let us know where it is preserved?

Sorry but I have never relied on replicas as a basis for substantial assessment. In most cases they prove to be nothing but relatively free interpretations of the originals and give way to fantasy, which is far from scholarly treatment. I am not saying that the piece you posted cannot be an exemption to the rule and be quite an exact copy but I'd still like to see images of the "real" thing.

Michael

broadaxe · 26th February 2009, 10:01 PM

Kisak, I would like very much to see a pic of the original piece. The replica in the link is weird, to say the least: very plain hilt, blade looks somewhat japanese (!). I'm not suggesting it is a fantasy piece but we do have to see the original.

22nd February 2009, 05:37 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Two Fine Katzbalgers and a Hand-and-a-Half Sword All in the German Historic Museum (DHM) Berlin. The scans are taken from old German Democratic Republic photos. Michael Attached Images

22nd February 2009, 05:39 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	One more detail. Attached Images

25th February 2009, 09:42 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A Landsknecht with his Katzbalger and a harquebusier with powder horn and what seems to be a tiller stocked bronze barrel gun. Details from the Resurrection scene on the so called Herscheider Altar Piece, early 16th century, now preserved at the Museum of Burg (castle) Altena, Westphalia. Michael Attached Images

25th February 2009, 10:51 PM	#4
broadaxe Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 334	Very interesting pics, they show the diversity of the katzbalger. I'm interested in particular with (the rather unusual) curved versions and the longer, two-handed katzbalger. Here are pics of such, taken at the Hussar Museum in Eger, Hungary, and a pic of a Hungarian broad sword, fitted with what might be a katzbalger's blade. Attached Images

26th February 2009, 10:01 PM	#7
broadaxe Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 334	Kisak, I would like very much to see a pic of the original piece. The replica in the link is weird, to say the least: very plain hilt, blade looks somewhat japanese (!). I'm not suggesting it is a fantasy piece but we do have to see the original.