17th Century Walloon swords

Triarii · 3rd July 2023, 03:35 PM

In the case of these types, Amsterdam was a major exporter of arms and armour, including items that they acted as middlemen for. The 'Sahagun' mark and Passau running wolf are generally considered to be a sign that the blade was made in Germany for onward export by the Dutch. The XXX Amsterdam control mark is often found under the hilt or overlapped by it, indicating assembly after inspection in Amsterdam, though there is some evidence of hilts also being made in Germany, such as at Koln (Cologne).
Vast amounts of arms and armour were imported from the continent by both sides in the English Civil War, including from Holland where they sent buyers and there is at least one Parliamentary record of an order for '200 swords with Dutch blades'.
The English 'Walloon' sword may predate these, and carries on into the late C17th. Similar style, but often with a cylindrical pommel, sometimes ribbed, with two side bars to the knucklebow and no thumb ring. The shell guards are smaller with piercings only in the middle part of the plate. I have one, that from the overall size, is probably for use on foot.

Radboud · 3rd July 2023, 08:13 PM

Thank you for adding your knowledge to this. Would you have any images of other blades with this Amsterdam mark? I’ve looked but not had a lot of luck.

3rd July 2023, 03:35 PM	#1
Triarii Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Bristol Posts: 122	In the case of these types, Amsterdam was a major exporter of arms and armour, including items that they acted as middlemen for. The 'Sahagun' mark and Passau running wolf are generally considered to be a sign that the blade was made in Germany for onward export by the Dutch. The XXX Amsterdam control mark is often found under the hilt or overlapped by it, indicating assembly after inspection in Amsterdam, though there is some evidence of hilts also being made in Germany, such as at Koln (Cologne). Vast amounts of arms and armour were imported from the continent by both sides in the English Civil War, including from Holland where they sent buyers and there is at least one Parliamentary record of an order for '200 swords with Dutch blades'. The English 'Walloon' sword may predate these, and carries on into the late C17th. Similar style, but often with a cylindrical pommel, sometimes ribbed, with two side bars to the knucklebow and no thumb ring. The shell guards are smaller with piercings only in the middle part of the plate. I have one, that from the overall size, is probably for use on foot.

3rd July 2023, 08:13 PM	#2
Radboud Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: New Zealand Posts: 277	Thank you for adding your knowledge to this. Would you have any images of other blades with this Amsterdam mark? I’ve looked but not had a lot of luck.