15th to 17th Century German War Flails

Matchlock · 7th October 2009, 05:35 PM

In chronological order from top.

All of them are preserved in the German Historic Museum Berlin, except for the 15th c. detached head illustrated in color, which is in a private collection and the fore end stabilizing ring and central spike of which are both missing now.

Please note the Gothic roped decoration on the reinforcing bands of the 15th c. items.

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 7th October 2009, 05:41 PM

The rest.

Jim McDougall · 7th October 2009, 11:29 PM

These are certainly intimidating looking items and while incredibly basic tools, clearly were effective in use for many centuries. Although they were used against armour clad individuals (intendedly of course) it is interesting that the impact from these weapons could severely dent armour, even to the point of transmitting blunt force wounds to the individual.

The force of impact could also unhorse the opponent, as well as compromise the integrity of the armour so that the unhorsed combatant might be attacked on foot.

The writhen or roped support elements on the 15th century examples makes me wonder if that feature was a strengthening rather than aesthetic use.

Best regards,
Jim

Matchlock · 8th October 2009, 11:35 AM

The writhen or roped support elements on the 15th century examples makes me wonder if that feature was a strengthening rather than aesthetic use.

Best regards,
Jim[/QUOTE]

Hi Jim,

I guess in this case it actually was a bit of both.

Generally I think it was mostly for decorative purposes though. As I have tried to put out in my threads several times the roped or writhen decoration is a characteristic stylistic element of all ironwork, including A&A, from the late 15th to the mid 16th century. It is found as a filed ornament on the brims of Gothic sallets and 'Maximilian' suits of armor, as well as on barrel sections, springs etc. of firearms or the pommels and cross guards of swords of the 1520's-40's.

However, its use was not limited to ironwork. You will find roped bands carved on all Late Gothic/Early Renaissance furniture, on apothecary bronze mortars etc. so that one can safely state that this stylistic element was applied to all arts and crafts alike.

Best wishes as ever,
your friend Michael

broadaxe · 12th October 2009, 03:41 PM

Although the flail is a clumsy weapon, hard to retrieve and poor as defence, its impact was probably the worst - especially the ball & chain combination. It generates considerably more power than a mace. I saw a TV show on the History channel where they had made a historic replica (2 pounds ball with short blunt spikes) and tried it on an armored pig carcass. The armor was of course dented, and while the pig skin remained unharmed, the tissues within became like jello and the bones were pulverized.

Matchlock · 12th October 2009, 05:13 PM

Hi broadaxe,

Yup, flails were not exactly toys!

Best,
Michael

7th October 2009, 05:35 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	15th to 17th Century German War Flails In chronological order from top. All of them are preserved in the German Historic Museum Berlin, except for the 15th c. detached head illustrated in color, which is in a private collection and the fore end stabilizing ring and central spike of which are both missing now. Please note the Gothic roped decoration on the reinforcing bands of the 15th c. items. Best, Michael Attached Images

7th October 2009, 05:41 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	The rest. Attached Images

7th October 2009, 11:29 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,957	These are certainly intimidating looking items and while incredibly basic tools, clearly were effective in use for many centuries. Although they were used against armour clad individuals (intendedly of course) it is interesting that the impact from these weapons could severely dent armour, even to the point of transmitting blunt force wounds to the individual. The force of impact could also unhorse the opponent, as well as compromise the integrity of the armour so that the unhorsed combatant might be attacked on foot. The writhen or roped support elements on the 15th century examples makes me wonder if that feature was a strengthening rather than aesthetic use. Best regards, Jim

8th October 2009, 11:35 AM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	The writhen or roped support elements on the 15th century examples makes me wonder if that feature was a strengthening rather than aesthetic use. Best regards, Jim[/QUOTE] Hi Jim, I guess in this case it actually was a bit of both. Generally I think it was mostly for decorative purposes though. As I have tried to put out in my threads several times the roped or writhen decoration is a characteristic stylistic element of all ironwork, including A&A, from the late 15th to the mid 16th century. It is found as a filed ornament on the brims of Gothic sallets and 'Maximilian' suits of armor, as well as on barrel sections, springs etc. of firearms or the pommels and cross guards of swords of the 1520's-40's. However, its use was not limited to ironwork. You will find roped bands carved on all Late Gothic/Early Renaissance furniture, on apothecary bronze mortars etc. so that one can safely state that this stylistic element was applied to all arts and crafts alike. Best wishes as ever, your friend Michael

12th October 2009, 03:41 PM	#5
broadaxe Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 332	Although the flail is a clumsy weapon, hard to retrieve and poor as defence, its impact was probably the worst - especially the ball & chain combination. It generates considerably more power than a mace. I saw a TV show on the History channel where they had made a historic replica (2 pounds ball with short blunt spikes) and tried it on an armored pig carcass. The armor was of course dented, and while the pig skin remained unharmed, the tissues within became like jello and the bones were pulverized.

12th October 2009, 05:13 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi broadaxe, Yup, flails were not exactly toys! Best, Michael