Executioner Sword

Perl · 16th January 2026, 07:45 PM

How about this one ?
107 cm , 2.2 kg

corrado26 · 17th January 2026, 09:01 AM

I assume this is a contemporary original. The completely nonsensical saying, dated 1633 and intended to give the tool a meaning, alone speaks for the time of its creation.

Perl · 17th January 2026, 02:49 PM

Yes, that is my conclusion too, as well as details etc., in addition, the Latin is misspelled which is said to be common at the time, it is probably German made.

corrado26 · 17th January 2026, 06:02 PM

The blacksmith was certainly not a trained expert on the Latin language and its orthography

Victrix · 18th January 2026, 12:29 PM

In those days full literacy was probably constrained to the priesthood and legal counsels. The inscriptions are meant to say “Glory to God in the highest” and “St Mary patron of Thorens church.” My first guess was that it’s an execution sword of one of the catholic church city states where the head of state had to dispense punishments to maintain law and order. But there is in fact a castle Thorens in France where this sword may have been used. Struggled a bit with the word “Thorensis” which I take to mean “of Thorens.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2teau_de_Thorens

Perl · 18th January 2026, 02:16 PM

Very interesting, trying to figure out where this sword was used - this is what the coat of arms on the sword looks like, maybe someone has an idea!

Akanthus · 18th January 2026, 05:17 PM

Perhaps the polish city of Korun is ment.The city was called Thorn in the time when the area was German.

corrado26 · 18th January 2026, 05:39 PM

30 Stivers / Daalder - Margaret IV van Brederode

I think this is the solution:

Netherland talerAbbey of Thorn

Abbess Margaret of Brederode (Margaretha van Brederode) (1557-1577)

Year 1563
Obverse
Standing Madonna with baby Jesus and scepter behind coat of arms of Brederode
Script: Latin
Lettering: SANCTA ★ MARIA ★ THORENSIS ★ ECCLESIÆ ★
Translation: Saint Mary, Church of Thorn

Akanthus · 18th January 2026, 06:30 PM

But why an abbey should have an executener sword or even an executioner ? These executive tools are mostly refer to the jurisdiction of towns or nobility.In some cases they were property of the executioner himself and his name is to find on the blade.For me this sword is a original one.Many others you find in auctions or even in museums are made in historistic times in the second half of the 19 th.century.

CSinTX · 19th January 2026, 03:28 AM

Does the blade appear to be broken at some point? It looks to terminate at an odd angle.

Perl · 20th January 2026, 09:03 AM

I think Thorn ( now in Poland ) and that it was taken from there in 1633+
and Swedish troops bring it here to Sweden , also sword is not broken

Perl · 20th January 2026, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akanthus

Perhaps the polish city of Korun is meant. The city was called Thorn in the time when the area was German.

Victrix · 20th January 2026, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corrado26

30 Stivers / Daalder - Margaret IV van Brederode

I think this is the solution:

Netherland talerAbbey of Thorn

Abbess Margaret of Brederode (Margaretha van Brederode) (1557-1577)

Year 1563
Obverse
Standing Madonna with baby Jesus and scepter behind coat of arms of Brederode
Script: Latin
Lettering: SANCTA ★ MARIA ★ THORENSIS ★ ECCLESIÆ ★
Translation: Saint Mary, Church of Thorn

From Grokipedia: “This expansion underpinned Thorn's political influence as an Reichsunmittelbarkeit entity, exempt from local feudal overlords and directly accountable to the emperor, allowing the abbess to exercise judicial and economic rights over approximately 35 km² of territory divided into administrative quarters.” The heads of state of these territories still needed to maintain law and order even if they were theocracies. The crown and spire signify Mary as the Queen of Heaven.

Akanthus · 20th January 2026, 10:28 PM

That's it.....sunk.....

Perl · 21st January 2026, 09:17 AM

Yes, either that or Polish Thorn - I'll see if I can find out more about the coat of arms, it's very unclear.

Victrix · 21st January 2026, 08:24 PM

The Swedes were notorious plunderers in the 30 year war. Vast fortunes were made from war booty. I’m sure they were in both Thorns. They seem to have occupied the Polish one in mid 1600s but its coat of arms is an angel apparently. The inscription seems rather like the Nertherland coin. One other clue is I have seen those crosses on a Hospitaller sword (Order of St John) so if either Thorn was a place for Hospitallers then that could be it.

Oriental Armament Collection · 21st January 2026, 08:45 PM

A sword specifically designed for beheading often doesn't have a tip, which is normal because it doesn't need a stabbing function. Its heavy weight makes it more effective for chopping. As for the era, I don't think it's a modern piece. I recently also purchased a Chinese beheading sword, which has a broad blade suitable for chopping.

Akanthus · 21st January 2026, 09:56 PM

The Seal of Thorn ( Poland / Germany / Prussia ) also shows Holy Mother Mary.For me the sword refers to this city.The tip of executioner swords mostly is cut off. This should clarify,that it was a dishonorable weapon.Dishonorable,because the profession of a executer was looked upon as not honest.In some cases you can find three holes to the end of the blade representing father, son and the holy ghost.( picture from google)

corrado26 · Yesterday, 09:05 AM

The coat of arms on the blade is almost identical to the coat of arms on the Dutch coin. It is clearly and undoubtedly different from the depiction of the coat of arms on the Polish coin. In addition, the exact same saying that can be read on the Dutch coin is engraved on the blade. I don't understand how anyone can think of Poland in this situation.

Perl · Yesterday, 11:06 AM

It is most likely Thorn in Poland, because there it is documented that the Swedes were and plundered. It is also possible that Wrangel took this to Skokloster Castle as war booty and then that the sword ended up in Uppsala (60 km) from Skokloster. I bought it in Uppsala - but this is speculation, nothing I know - I will clean the sword and see if the coat of arms becomes clearer and give more information about the origin.

Akanthus · Yesterday, 12:50 PM

Victrix wrote that on the seal of Thorn there is an angel but i found one with Holy Mary .But not like the one on the blade.The sword certainly belongs to the city in the netherlands.
With " belongs to this city " i ment Thorn in the Netherlands.

corrado26 · Yesterday, 05:13 PM

"The collection of weapons that Carl Gustaf Wrangel assembled at Skokloster was already renowned in his day and it still exists, as the only undivided part of his chattels, in the three rooms on the top floor where he arranged it in 1669".
This you can read in the foreword of the catalogue "Wrangels Armoury". In this catalogue page 344 is shown only one single executioner's sword made at Passau. So the sword in question here had certainly nothing to do with Carl G. Wrangel and his armoury collection in Skokloster.

Victrix · Yesterday, 10:01 PM

I’ve been to Skokloster on a guided tour twice. Amazing place. I think I even have a pic of the execution sword there. Von Wrangel was the commander but I’m sure he had a large group from the war with him. One of them could have brought the sword with him as war booty. Or von Wrangel might have gifted the sword when he was still alive. The univetsity town of Uppsala has lots of war booty from the 30 year war taken as war booty from Prague.

16th January 2026, 07:45 PM	#1
Perl Member Join Date: Jan 2026 Posts: 7	Executioner Sword How about this one ? 107 cm , 2.2 kg Attached Images

18th January 2026, 02:16 PM	#6
Perl Member Join Date: Jan 2026 Posts: 7	Very interesting, trying to figure out where this sword was used - this is what the coat of arms on the sword looks like, maybe someone has an idea! Attached Images

21st January 2026, 08:24 PM	#16
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 774	The Swedes were notorious plunderers in the 30 year war. Vast fortunes were made from war booty. I’m sure they were in both Thorns. They seem to have occupied the Polish one in mid 1600s but its coat of arms is an angel apparently. The inscription seems rather like the Nertherland coin. One other clue is I have seen those crosses on a Hospitaller sword (Order of St John) so if either Thorn was a place for Hospitallers then that could be it. Attached Images Last edited by Victrix; 21st January 2026 at 09:39 PM. Reason: Add pic

21st January 2026, 09:56 PM	#18
Akanthus Member Join Date: Mar 2023 Posts: 98	The Seal of Thorn ( Poland / Germany / Prussia ) also shows Holy Mother Mary.For me the sword refers to this city.The tip of executioner swords mostly is cut off. This should clarify,that it was a dishonorable weapon.Dishonorable,because the profession of a executer was looked upon as not honest.In some cases you can find three holes to the end of the blade representing father, son and the holy ghost.( picture from google) Attached Images

Yesterday, 10:01 PM	#23
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 774	I’ve been to Skokloster on a guided tour twice. Amazing place. I think I even have a pic of the execution sword there. Von Wrangel was the commander but I’m sure he had a large group from the war with him. One of them could have brought the sword with him as war booty. Or von Wrangel might have gifted the sword when he was still alive. The univetsity town of Uppsala has lots of war booty from the 30 year war taken as war booty from Prague. Attached Images

17th January 2026, 09:01 AM	#2
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,259	I assume this is a contemporary original. The completely nonsensical saying, dated 1633 and intended to give the tool a meaning, alone speaks for the time of its creation.

17th January 2026, 02:49 PM	#3
Perl Member Join Date: Jan 2026 Posts: 7	Yes, that is my conclusion too, as well as details etc., in addition, the Latin is misspelled which is said to be common at the time, it is probably German made.

17th January 2026, 06:02 PM	#4
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,259	The blacksmith was certainly not a trained expert on the Latin language and its orthography

18th January 2026, 12:29 PM	#5
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 774	In those days full literacy was probably constrained to the priesthood and legal counsels. The inscriptions are meant to say “Glory to God in the highest” and “St Mary patron of Thorens church.” My first guess was that it’s an execution sword of one of the catholic church city states where the head of state had to dispense punishments to maintain law and order. But there is in fact a castle Thorens in France where this sword may have been used. Struggled a bit with the word “Thorensis” which I take to mean “of Thorens.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2teau_de_Thorens

18th January 2026, 05:17 PM	#7
Akanthus Member Join Date: Mar 2023 Posts: 98	Perhaps the polish city of Korun is ment.The city was called Thorn in the time when the area was German.

18th January 2026, 05:39 PM	#8
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,259	30 Stivers / Daalder - Margaret IV van Brederode I think this is the solution: Netherland talerAbbey of Thorn Abbess Margaret of Brederode (Margaretha van Brederode) (1557-1577) Year 1563 Obverse Standing Madonna with baby Jesus and scepter behind coat of arms of Brederode Script: Latin Lettering: SANCTA ★ MARIA ★ THORENSIS ★ ECCLESIÆ ★ Translation: Saint Mary, Church of Thorn

18th January 2026, 06:30 PM	#9
Akanthus Member Join Date: Mar 2023 Posts: 98	But why an abbey should have an executener sword or even an executioner ? These executive tools are mostly refer to the jurisdiction of towns or nobility.In some cases they were property of the executioner himself and his name is to find on the blade.For me this sword is a original one.Many others you find in auctions or even in museums are made in historistic times in the second half of the 19 th.century.

19th January 2026, 03:28 AM	#10
CSinTX Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 237	Does the blade appear to be broken at some point? It looks to terminate at an odd angle.

20th January 2026, 09:03 AM	#11
Perl Member Join Date: Jan 2026 Posts: 7	I think Thorn ( now in Poland ) and that it was taken from there in 1633+ and Swedish troops bring it here to Sweden , also sword is not broken

20th January 2026, 10:28 PM	#14
Akanthus Member Join Date: Mar 2023 Posts: 98	That's it.....sunk.....

21st January 2026, 09:17 AM	#15
Perl Member Join Date: Jan 2026 Posts: 7	Yes, either that or Polish Thorn - I'll see if I can find out more about the coat of arms, it's very unclear.

21st January 2026, 08:45 PM	#17
Oriental Armament Collection Member Join Date: May 2025 Location: China Posts: 31	A sword specifically designed for beheading often doesn't have a tip, which is normal because it doesn't need a stabbing function. Its heavy weight makes it more effective for chopping. As for the era, I don't think it's a modern piece. I recently also purchased a Chinese beheading sword, which has a broad blade suitable for chopping.

Yesterday, 09:05 AM	#19
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,259	The coat of arms on the blade is almost identical to the coat of arms on the Dutch coin. It is clearly and undoubtedly different from the depiction of the coat of arms on the Polish coin. In addition, the exact same saying that can be read on the Dutch coin is engraved on the blade. I don't understand how anyone can think of Poland in this situation.

Yesterday, 11:06 AM	#20
Perl Member Join Date: Jan 2026 Posts: 7	It is most likely Thorn in Poland, because there it is documented that the Swedes were and plundered. It is also possible that Wrangel took this to Skokloster Castle as war booty and then that the sword ended up in Uppsala (60 km) from Skokloster. I bought it in Uppsala - but this is speculation, nothing I know - I will clean the sword and see if the coat of arms becomes clearer and give more information about the origin.

Yesterday, 12:50 PM	#21
Akanthus Member Join Date: Mar 2023 Posts: 98	Victrix wrote that on the seal of Thorn there is an angel but i found one with Holy Mary .But not like the one on the blade.The sword certainly belongs to the city in the netherlands. With " belongs to this city " i ment Thorn in the Netherlands.

Yesterday, 05:13 PM	#22
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,259	"The collection of weapons that Carl Gustaf Wrangel assembled at Skokloster was already renowned in his day and it still exists, as the only undivided part of his chattels, in the three rooms on the top floor where he arranged it in 1669". This you can read in the foreword of the catalogue "Wrangels Armoury". In this catalogue page 344 is shown only one single executioner's sword made at Passau. So the sword in question here had certainly nothing to do with Carl G. Wrangel and his armoury collection in Skokloster.