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Originally Posted by ExLibris
Dear forum members,
I'm currenly researching a sword that was found at an archaeological excavation of the medieval moat of the city of Eindhoven (the Netherlands) in 2007. The sword was returned in juni 2013 after a long restoration. The result is amazing! Because parts of the leather and wood were preserved, this sword is a kind of time capsule.
During my investigation I learned this sword is a Katzbalger, used by the Landsknechts in the 16th century. In this century Eindhoven was attacked several times. The most likely years that this sword was lost is probably 1542/1543, although there were also attacks on the town in 1529 and in the 1580's.
I have several questions about this sword:
- Where was it made? I presume in southern Germany or Switzerland.
- When was it made? The restorers dated it on 1550-1600, Cornelis Tromp from this forum dated it 1525-1550.
- In the scabbard were several tools found, like a Swiss army knife or a multi-tool. Was this common for this kind of swords of for swords in general?
Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge on this interesting object!
Rob
Before restauration
After restoration
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Hi Rob,
On returning home from more than one year in hospital, I found your highly interesting thread und would like to add my two cents.
Based on the general form of the hilt, Cornelistromp is certainly right in assuming a span of ca. 1525-50, though I would confine the temporary limit to ca. 1515-30.
And yes, the accompanying tools in the sheath were absolute standard; in the Early Renaissance period, craftsmen tended to combine as many functions as possible in one item, cf. the girth bags ('purses' although they actually were a lot more than that) with their many tiny compartments for various sorts of coins, letters etc. The idea behind it was of course that the
Landsknecht/mercenary who this Katzbalger belonged to was not required to tote additional eating utensils such as cutlery.
E.g., attached please find a portrait of Count Palatine Ottheinrich von der Pfalz, ca. 1550-55, the sheath of his fine Landsknecht-style sword featuring an integral set of bodkins (is there such a plural?
), German:
Beibesteck, comprising knife, two-spiked fork, awl (for mending clothes) and pricker. Actually, what is the fifth of the tools in the sheath of 'your' sword?
Please see also my thread
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ht=katzbalgers
Best,
Michael