German broadsword -Walloon or felddegen with basket hilt- circa 1680

[Carl M]

Antique German broadsword, circa 1700.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ic/04029re.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../04029_cre.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../04029_bre.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...c/sword-34.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...c/sword-39.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...c/sword-40.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...c/sword-43.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...c/sword-45.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...c/sword-46.jpg

This sword is of very high quality with a grotesque face on the top of the guard. This sword appears to have never been taken apart and has an original peen. There is a thumb ring under the basket with a heart-shaped opening in it.

Everything is tight, no looseness or rattling whatsoever. The maker's mark on the blade appears to be a horsehead. According to "German Swords and Swordmakers" by Bezdek, this mark looks to be that of Peter Berg zu Veldt (1665-1700) placing the sword within that time frame.

The point on this blade is quite sharp, and I have seen other examples with the same point in photos and at auction.

Interestingly enough, another user on the forums posted a picture from Ambras Castle in Austria, and this sword looks exactly like those in the picture, even with the same point and maker's mark! However, my sword appears to have a larger pommel.

Ambras Castle:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1..._innsbruck.jpg

This sword is an absolute pleasure to handle. It is light and very well balanced. The dimensions are:

Weight: 2 lbs 1 oz

Overall length: 40 1/4 inches

Blade length: 34 1/2 inches

Asking $3,200.

PM me or contact me at yelunatic@yahoo.com