Katzbalgers and Related Landsknecht Swords

[Matchlock]

Originally Posted by Micke D

Hi Jasper!

Do you have any measurements for that nice messer?
Is it your's? How old is it?

/Micke D

Hi Micke D,

All I can say is that I would date Jasper's Messer to ca. 1490-1400, and that is exactly the period this thread is all about, the high time of the Landsknechte. The short and heavily swamped quillons are characteristic for the Late Gothic stylistic period.

A very nice and nearly identical Messer or Seitenwehr is illustrated in Johann von Schwarzenberg's Die Bambergische Peinliche Halsgerichtsordnung (Constitutio Criminalis Bambergensis) of 1507. This illustration was originally posted by our member Samik earlier in this thread.

I am sure Jasper will give you the measurements you required.

Best,
Michael

[Matchlock]

Let's start with a really great two hand sword (spadone a due mani) with richly fullered blade, Veneto, ca. 1510, overall length 1,73 m.

Next in line is another, the hilt Venetian, the blade German, ca. 1535-40, overall length 1,53 m.

Then there is another, Italy, ca. 1560, oa. length 1,505 m.

The fourth item was made in Venetia using a German blade, ca. 1565, oa. length 1,38 m, a piece from the end of the period of Landsknechte.


So far for the great swords.

There is also a fine Landsknecht hand and a half sword with a single edged blade, South German or Swiss, ca. 1560, oa. length 1,28 m. Please note the perfectly original black and blueish colors of the hilt!

And, last not least, a fine South German or Swiss Katzbalger-Degen, the fine blackened hilt and Brezel-quillons characteristic of the 1540s;
oa. length 1,05 m. The grip wire binding including the Turk's heads is a later alteration.

Best,
Michael