Hi Steve, 
 
And welcome here! 
 
Jasper, engraved symbols (gallows and Catherine/breaking wheel) were very common on such blades.  
 
 
See attachments, from top: 
 
- woodcut of a decapitation, early 16th c. 
 
- various torture and execution styles, 1509 
 
- various torture and execution styles, mid-16th c. 
 
- marker at a historic South Bavarian place of execution, Aholming, early 16th c. 
 
- three Swyss executioners swords, 16th to 19th c. 
 
- 3 details of them 
 
- sword, 17th c. 
 
- sword, ca,. 1530, inscription 18th c. 
- detail 
 
- sword, 17th c., Mus. Aholming, Bavaria 
 
- 4 details of 17th c. swords in the Museum Erfurt, Thuringia 
 
 
 
Enjoy, and best, 
Michael
		 
		
		
		
			
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
			
				  
				
					
						Last edited by Matchlock; 7th April 2011 at 11:22 PM.
					
					
				
			
		
		
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