Halberd mark ID request

Victrix · 15th May 2017, 08:49 PM

I have a halberd which I always thought was Swedish (dating to 1580-1600), but I can't find the maker's mark in my books about Swedish halberds. German halberd smiths were brought to Sweden to start domestic production in the 16thC. One of the most prolific producers of halberds in Sweden was called Philipus Osterreich and he was active 1567-1609. His mark looks nothing like the one on my halberd. But the style of my halberd is very similar to Styrian (Austrian) halberds, although the way the blade is attached to the pole (probably a replacement) seems Swedish. Landeszeughaus Graz doesn't recognize the mark but suggest it could come from Steyr (upper Austria) or Wiener Neustadt (lower Austria) where the marks are apparently unknown, or indeed anywhere else in the German speaking world.

Interestingly, an earlier thread (see final picture below) in this forum mentioned two Styrian halberds of which the latter is similar to mine:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=halberd

The second Styrian halberd carries a stamped "HW" mark in relief. The mark on my halberd looks like it could be an upside down "HW" mark roughly incised in a similar spot. The marks of Philipus Osterreich in Sweden also appear upside down in a similar spot on his halberds.

Does anyone recognize the mark, or the place of origin of this halberd?

15th May 2017, 08:49 PM	#1
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 713	Halberd mark ID request I have a halberd which I always thought was Swedish (dating to 1580-1600), but I can't find the maker's mark in my books about Swedish halberds. German halberd smiths were brought to Sweden to start domestic production in the 16thC. One of the most prolific producers of halberds in Sweden was called Philipus Osterreich and he was active 1567-1609. His mark looks nothing like the one on my halberd. But the style of my halberd is very similar to Styrian (Austrian) halberds, although the way the blade is attached to the pole (probably a replacement) seems Swedish. Landeszeughaus Graz doesn't recognize the mark but suggest it could come from Steyr (upper Austria) or Wiener Neustadt (lower Austria) where the marks are apparently unknown, or indeed anywhere else in the German speaking world. Interestingly, an earlier thread (see final picture below) in this forum mentioned two Styrian halberds of which the latter is similar to mine: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=halberd The second Styrian halberd carries a stamped "HW" mark in relief. The mark on my halberd looks like it could be an upside down "HW" mark roughly incised in a similar spot. The marks of Philipus Osterreich in Sweden also appear upside down in a similar spot on his halberds. Does anyone recognize the mark, or the place of origin of this halberd? Attached Images Last edited by Victrix; 15th May 2017 at 11:00 PM.