German Executioner's sword Early 17TH century ?

[CutlassCollector]

Originally Posted by fernando

A good explanation Roland, although there are others; those not with a practical purpose but just a symbolic meaning...
And ... what about these swords with only one hole; such one said by some to be for purposes of hanging them on the armoury wall ?

This may be a bit far out.
But could the holes in the tip have been there to make a sound. You can imagine the moment of silence in the crowd just before the strike so an improved 'swish' noise may add to the drama.

CC