Katzbalgers and Related Landsknecht Swords

fernando · 18th August 2011, 12:33 PM

Ah Michl,
Definitely your picture is much better than mine, 'secretely' taken with a friend's camera, when i visited the Castle last year.

Matchlock · 18th August 2011, 06:00 PM

Oh 'Nando,

They are not mine, I found them on the web.

Best,
Michl

Matchlock · 22nd August 2011, 03:33 PM

German two hand swords in the Norwich Castle museum: the one on the left a bearing sword of ca. 1600, the one on the right an early Landsknecht sword of ca. 1490, also illustrated in detail below.

Associated with the armor is a hand and a half sword of ca. 1550-60.

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 9th October 2011, 07:17 PM

Hi there,

Some 20 years ago, my friend Ottmar saw an unusually good and fine Katzbalger in perfect old patina in a North German private collection, and offered them what would 10,000 euro today. They would not sell though.

Today, that same piece - unfortunately cleaned meanwhile - was sold at auction by Czerny's, Italy, where it was fortunately labeled as 19th c. copy. So my friend bought it at the estimate of 1,500 euro.

Sometimes all you have to do is wait patiently ...

Now here it is, Southern Germany, ca. 1520, overall length 94.5 cm. Please note the small piece of wood inlaid in the iron grip and framed by a brass band, and the fine roped decoration on the hilt, which is characteristic of the early Renaissance period. The short lateral fullers at the base of the blade can be found on most original Katzbalgers.

The mark struck two times has not yet been identified, it might be a variation of the so-called Brescian eye though.

Enjoy, and best,
Michael

fernando · 9th October 2011, 07:25 PM

Fantastic !!
Hey Michl, did you notice the auctioner dates it XIX century ?

... or is my italian far too rusted ?

-

Matchlock · 9th October 2011, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matchlock

sold at auction by Czerny's, Italy, where it was fortunately labeled as 19th c. copy. So my friend bought it at the estimate of 1,500 euro.

But that's exactly what I pointed out, 'Nando - and that's also what the joke is all about!

It really is, as I said: ca. 1520 and all original!

Best,
Michl

fernando · 9th October 2011, 08:05 PM

Sorry for being too speedy; didn't read the whole paragraph

.

Matchlock · 9th October 2011, 08:14 PM

That's o.k., my friend,

Things like these tend to happen to old folks like us!

Michl

18th August 2011, 12:33 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Ah Michl, Definitely your picture is much better than mine, 'secretely' taken with a friend's camera, when i visited the Castle last year. Attached Images

22nd August 2011, 03:33 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	German two hand swords in the Norwich Castle museum: the one on the left a bearing sword of ca. 1600, the one on the right an early Landsknecht sword of ca. 1490, also illustrated in detail below. Associated with the armor is a hand and a half sword of ca. 1550-60. Best, Michael Attached Images

9th October 2011, 07:17 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi there, Some 20 years ago, my friend Ottmar saw an unusually good and fine Katzbalger in perfect old patina in a North German private collection, and offered them what would 10,000 euro today. They would not sell though. Today, that same piece - unfortunately cleaned meanwhile - was sold at auction by Czerny's, Italy, where it was fortunately labeled as 19th c. copy. So my friend bought it at the estimate of 1,500 euro. Sometimes all you have to do is wait patiently ... Now here it is, Southern Germany, ca. 1520, overall length 94.5 cm. Please note the small piece of wood inlaid in the iron grip and framed by a brass band, and the fine roped decoration on the hilt, which is characteristic of the early Renaissance period. The short lateral fullers at the base of the blade can be found on most original Katzbalgers. The mark struck two times has not yet been identified, it might be a variation of the so-called Brescian eye though. Enjoy, and best, Michael Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 9th October 2011 at 08:24 PM.

9th October 2011, 07:25 PM	#5
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Fantastic !! Hey Michl, did you notice the auctioner dates it XIX century ? ... or is my italian far too rusted ? - Attached Images

18th August 2011, 06:00 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Oh 'Nando, They are not mine, I found them on the web. Best, Michl

9th October 2011, 08:05 PM	#7
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Sorry for being too speedy; didn't read the whole paragraph .

9th October 2011, 08:14 PM	#8
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	That's o.k., my friend, Things like these tend to happen to old folks like us! Michl