A very rare German Gothic War Hammer 'Dolchstreithammer'

Swordfish · 6th May 2012, 01:03 PM

Iconographic sources 'Dolchstreithammer'

Swordfish · 6th May 2012, 01:05 PM

Swords with cube-pommel with bevelled corners

kronckew · 6th May 2012, 02:24 PM

i've always liked that style since seeing one in a certain movie a few years back

Dmitry · 7th May 2012, 06:07 PM

The tradition was picked up by the late 18th - mid-19th c. sailors, who made many-many scrimshaw handles for walking sticks and umbrellas, pipe tampers, bodkins, etc., in the shape of a clenched fist. Why...I have no idea.

kronckew · 7th May 2012, 07:23 PM

i had a cane much like those, except made out of one piece of ivory. sadly disappeared during one of my moves. i think customs probably nicked it.saw it in a shop when i was in my 20's, loved it & bought it for my old age. now that i almost need one, i don't have it. ah, well. se la vie.

cornelistromp · 8th May 2012, 06:05 PM

it's not a fist but very beautiful.

Swordfish · 8th May 2012, 06:35 PM

I believe I have seen this hammer-head in an auction catalogue years ago. If I remember right, it remained unsold because of the very high estimate. Because it has a very short spike it is possibly a splendor-hammer, not used for fighting.

Best

cornelistromp · 8th May 2012, 08:03 PM

it is in the higgins armory museum

Accession Number: 2000.02
Region: Netherlands or northern Germany
Artifact Type: War-hammer head
Date: 1450-1500
Materials: Brass; iron
Weight: 1 lb. 7 oz.
Length:
While swords were effective against unarmored or lightly protected troops, soldiers in full plate armor were well protected against swords. This war hammer, mounted on a wooden shaft, could deliver powerful blows with the hammer-head to crush armor, and a well-aimed strike with the stout beak on the back could penetrate plate steel. Comprised of a long, brass alloy conical socket cast in one piece with two stout, grimacing monster heads surmounted by a carved lion "couchant" above. The socket is fitted with a long, iron belt hook, and the base of the socket has a narrow, file roped molded band. The body has an engraved spiralled banderolle inscribed in "Gothic" characters, the legend reading from the base upwards, "Ave Maria Gracia Plena Helf Maria." The terminals of the ultimate characters are finished in oak leaves. The monster heads are fitted with a crenellated hammer head and a short quadrangular spike, both of iron. The recurving tail of the lion is circularly pierced for a cord. Centered on the front and rear faces below is a heraldic shield charged with a lion "rampant" in carved relief

6th May 2012, 01:03 PM	#1
Swordfish Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 129	Iconographic sources 'Dolchstreithammer' Attached Images

6th May 2012, 01:05 PM	#2
Swordfish Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 129	Swords with cube-pommel with bevelled corners Attached Images

6th May 2012, 02:24 PM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	i've always liked that style since seeing one in a certain movie a few years back Attached Images

8th May 2012, 06:05 PM	#6
cornelistromp Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,060	it's not a fist but very beautiful. Attached Images

8th May 2012, 08:03 PM	#8
cornelistromp Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,060	it is in the higgins armory museum Accession Number: 2000.02 Region: Netherlands or northern Germany Artifact Type: War-hammer head Date: 1450-1500 Materials: Brass; iron Weight: 1 lb. 7 oz. Length: While swords were effective against unarmored or lightly protected troops, soldiers in full plate armor were well protected against swords. This war hammer, mounted on a wooden shaft, could deliver powerful blows with the hammer-head to crush armor, and a well-aimed strike with the stout beak on the back could penetrate plate steel. Comprised of a long, brass alloy conical socket cast in one piece with two stout, grimacing monster heads surmounted by a carved lion "couchant" above. The socket is fitted with a long, iron belt hook, and the base of the socket has a narrow, file roped molded band. The body has an engraved spiralled banderolle inscribed in "Gothic" characters, the legend reading from the base upwards, "Ave Maria Gracia Plena Helf Maria." The terminals of the ultimate characters are finished in oak leaves. The monster heads are fitted with a crenellated hammer head and a short quadrangular spike, both of iron. The recurving tail of the lion is circularly pierced for a cord. Centered on the front and rear faces below is a heraldic shield charged with a lion "rampant" in carved relief Attached Images

7th May 2012, 06:07 PM	#4
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	The tradition was picked up by the late 18th - mid-19th c. sailors, who made many-many scrimshaw handles for walking sticks and umbrellas, pipe tampers, bodkins, etc., in the shape of a clenched fist. Why...I have no idea.

7th May 2012, 07:23 PM	#5
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	i had a cane much like those, except made out of one piece of ivory. sadly disappeared during one of my moves. i think customs probably nicked it.saw it in a shop when i was in my 20's, loved it & bought it for my old age. now that i almost need one, i don't have it. ah, well. se la vie.

8th May 2012, 06:35 PM	#7
Swordfish Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 129	I believe I have seen this hammer-head in an auction catalogue years ago. If I remember right, it remained unsold because of the very high estimate. Because it has a very short spike it is possibly a splendor-hammer, not used for fighting. Best

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