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4th June 2012, 02:50 AM
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#1 |
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(deceased)
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking
Posts: 4,310
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St. George and the Dragon; sculpture from The Tyrol, ca. 1500.
Bavarian National Museum Munich. m |
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13th June 2012, 03:14 PM
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#2 |
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(deceased)
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking
Posts: 4,310
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A Grosses Messer, Excavated Together With its Bodkin, Late 15th Century
The lot, comprising two items, failed to sell at auction at the Dorotheum, Vienna, yesterday.
Although the pommel is missing from the sword we may analogously assume that it was shaped to match that of the bodkin. The latter, of course, was part of the 'byknives' originally contained in separate compartments of the sheath. m |
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14th June 2012, 03:17 PM
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#3 |
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(deceased)
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking
Posts: 4,310
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I forgot to add that the blade of the Dorotheum sword is single-edged.
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14th June 2012, 03:43 PM
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#4 |
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,060
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Of course all the "Langes Messer" are single edged, although that some have a two-edged point.
best, |
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14th June 2012, 04:16 PM
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#5 |
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(deceased)
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking
Posts: 4,310
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That's right, Jasper!
 You would not believe though how often I have been asked this question (not here on the forum, actually). Notwithstanding the fact that the Austrian catalog expert called this a 'Langes Messer' I still prefer the established term 'Grosses Messser' (great knife). Best, Michael |
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15th June 2012, 07:29 AM
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#6 |
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,060
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Hi Michael, thanks that's clear.
For more information about this intriguing weapon please see. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=langes+messer best, Jasper Last edited by cornelistromp; 15th June 2012 at 07:55 AM. |
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18th June 2012, 06:02 PM
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#7 |
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(deceased)
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking
Posts: 4,310
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A Small Landsknecht Messer, Seitenwehr, Hauswehr, early 16th Century
Based on many instances of 15th and 16th c. period artwork, mainly paintings and woodcuts, this type of all-purpose Messer (knife), including employment as both tool and weapon, was part of the basic equipment of foot soldiers, both top and low ranking, Landsknechts (mercenaries) and peasants alike, varying only in quality.
Today, most existing specimen are only preserved as excavated or water finds, and in ruinous condition. The finest preserved sample I have ever come across was one sold from the Princely Collection of Liechtenstein, Schloss Vaduz, at Christie's, London, November 20, 1991, lot 62, where I bought it. It increased its estimate sevenfold, with renowned dealers and collectors like Geoffrey Jenkinson engaged in the bidding process! Well, I won. It retained its original natural staghorn grips attached by hollow brass rivets, the trifold pommel in characteristic asymmetric 'bird's head' shape, the blade struck two times with a cross and orb mark which is mostly found on Austrian and South German blades. It was a typical Messerer's (cutler's) work, with the point clearly visible where the hardened edge was fire welded to the (softer) blade. The lower section of the blade, right above the tip, was struck with a stylyzied Gothic trefoil ornament (Dreipass). The overall length was 41.9 cm, the length of the blade 30 cm, the maximum blade width 2.9 cm right below the transverse parrying lug which was decorated with Late-Gothic checkered pattern. As edged weapons are not my domain of collecting, I sold the fine piece a few years ago. The attached woodcuts: - by Albrecht Dürer, Three Peasants Talking, ca. 1500 - Johann v. Schwarzenberg, Bambergische Peinliche Halsgerichtsordnung, 1507 Enjoy. Best, Michael |
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