Swiss saber with inscription "ANNA" (?)

Jim McDougall · 6th January 2025, 06:12 PM

As always, Ulfberth's insights are treasure in the understanding of these weapons! While I had understood 'ANNO' (in the year of) as indicating a particular year for whatever reason on a blade, this independent use using ANNA seemed unusual.

I wanted to learn more on this sword, so spent some time researching and found the following.

The sword as a type, is shown in Ewart Oakeshott's "European Weapons and Armor" (1980, p.132, L) as a Swiss bastard sword 1650-1700. It appears that these type hilts and using these lion head pommels were in use in the 17th century there, and were popular elsewhere as well in Northern Europe.
On p.135 it is noted these hilts commonly on 'tuck' broadswords in late 16th century in S. Germany often had falchion blades mounted.

Here I would venture to the Swiss canton of Glarus, where a long heritage of mercenary forces was centered, and also with a long history of religious friction existed from times of the Reformation in Switzerland.
While it is tempting to connect the apparent 'field application' of ANNA added to the blade representing St. Anna, who was the mother of Mary Magdalene, the Holy Mother (Anna= in Hebrew means favored, as noted). ......there may be other possibilities.

The mounting of earlier blades on later hilts and vice versa is not uncommon in the working life of swords, which often covers generations. This would seem very likely in regions like this with long heritage in mercenary activity.
Also, in these times, the formation of 'town guard' units was standard practice throughout Europe, and use of often 'repurposed and obsolete' arms remained in use.

In the canton of Glarus, there was a popular folk figure named ANNA Goldi, who was executed in 1782 for suspiciously contrived charges of witchcraft (she was exonerated in 2008) and we might wonder if perhaps there might have been factions or groups in these Swiss regions which might have held her in patriotic esteem.
Obviously an alternate theory, in evaluating the forensics in the study of historic weapons, all options must be considered, so I wanted to present these things from research thus far.

Whatever the case, it appears this hilt form is from the mid 17th century and clearly remained in use into the 18th probably in refurbished examples like this. As noted, the blade and hilt are not homogenous, but together in the well known practice of continued use of older weapons and components in local militia type groups as well as other politically and religiously oriented factions over generations.

Fascinating example with potential for intriguing history!

urbanspaceman · 6th January 2025, 09:43 PM

Well done Jim.
Is it mentioned that the blade was probably from Solingen?

Jim McDougall · 7th January 2025, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbanspaceman

Well done Jim.
Is it mentioned that the blade was probably from Solingen?

thank you Keith!
Not sure if it is Solingen and seems unusual to be unfullered and what seems elliptical in section. Cannot tell if other characters etc were among the well worn 'ANNA' but it is possible, as this might be a spurious attempt at 'ANNO' as with alluding to the markings on 'quality' blades. As noted, there are various possibilities. All part of the intrigue

6th January 2025, 06:12 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,194	As always, Ulfberth's insights are treasure in the understanding of these weapons! While I had understood 'ANNO' (in the year of) as indicating a particular year for whatever reason on a blade, this independent use using ANNA seemed unusual. I wanted to learn more on this sword, so spent some time researching and found the following. The sword as a type, is shown in Ewart Oakeshott's "European Weapons and Armor" (1980, p.132, L) as a Swiss bastard sword 1650-1700. It appears that these type hilts and using these lion head pommels were in use in the 17th century there, and were popular elsewhere as well in Northern Europe. On p.135 it is noted these hilts commonly on 'tuck' broadswords in late 16th century in S. Germany often had falchion blades mounted. Here I would venture to the Swiss canton of Glarus, where a long heritage of mercenary forces was centered, and also with a long history of religious friction existed from times of the Reformation in Switzerland. While it is tempting to connect the apparent 'field application' of ANNA added to the blade representing St. Anna, who was the mother of Mary Magdalene, the Holy Mother (Anna= in Hebrew means favored, as noted). ......there may be other possibilities. The mounting of earlier blades on later hilts and vice versa is not uncommon in the working life of swords, which often covers generations. This would seem very likely in regions like this with long heritage in mercenary activity. Also, in these times, the formation of 'town guard' units was standard practice throughout Europe, and use of often 'repurposed and obsolete' arms remained in use. In the canton of Glarus, there was a popular folk figure named ANNA Goldi, who was executed in 1782 for suspiciously contrived charges of witchcraft (she was exonerated in 2008) and we might wonder if perhaps there might have been factions or groups in these Swiss regions which might have held her in patriotic esteem. Obviously an alternate theory, in evaluating the forensics in the study of historic weapons, all options must be considered, so I wanted to present these things from research thus far. Whatever the case, it appears this hilt form is from the mid 17th century and clearly remained in use into the 18th probably in refurbished examples like this. As noted, the blade and hilt are not homogenous, but together in the well known practice of continued use of older weapons and components in local militia type groups as well as other politically and religiously oriented factions over generations. Fascinating example with potential for intriguing history! Attached Images

6th January 2025, 09:43 PM	#2
urbanspaceman Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Tyneside. North-East England Posts: 577	Now that is a good answer Jim. Well done Jim. Is it mentioned that the blade was probably from Solingen?