Katzbalgers and Related Landsknecht Swords

Matchlock · 18th June 2012, 06:02 PM

Based on many instances of 15th and 16th c. period artwork, mainly paintings and woodcuts, this type of all-purpose Messer (knife), including employment as both tool and weapon, was part of the basic equipment of foot soldiers, both top and low ranking, Landsknechts (mercenaries) and peasants alike, varying only in quality.

Today, most existing specimen are only preserved as excavated or water finds, and in ruinous condition.

The finest preserved sample I have ever come across was one sold from the Princely Collection of Liechtenstein, Schloss Vaduz, at Christie's, London, November 20, 1991, lot 62, where I bought it. It increased its estimate sevenfold, with renowned dealers and collectors like Geoffrey Jenkinson engaged in the bidding process! Well, I won.

It retained its original natural staghorn grips attached by hollow brass rivets, the trifold pommel in characteristic asymmetric 'bird's head' shape, the blade struck two times with a cross and orb mark which is mostly found on Austrian and South German blades. It was a typical Messerer's (cutler's) work, with the point clearly visible where the hardened edge was fire welded to the (softer) blade.
The lower section of the blade, right above the tip, was struck with a stylyzied Gothic trefoil ornament (Dreipass).

The overall length was 41.9 cm, the length of the blade 30 cm, the maximum blade width 2.9 cm right below the transverse parrying lug which was decorated with Late-Gothic checkered pattern.

As edged weapons are not my domain of collecting, I sold the fine piece a few years ago.

The attached woodcuts:

- by Albrecht Dürer, Three Peasants Talking, ca. 1500

- Johann v. Schwarzenberg, Bambergische Peinliche Halsgerichtsordnung, 1507

Enjoy.

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 18th June 2012, 06:12 PM

The remaining attachments.

At the bottom a late painting by Brueghel, with a Seitenwehr pictured in the left part of the picture.

Next, a detail from a Nuremberg painting Landsknechts Fleeing Death, ca. 1510.

And a woodcut Peasant's Dance, by Hans Sebald Beham, Nuremberg, 1546-7.

m

Matchlock · 21st June 2012, 04:21 PM

For anther good and lively discussion on the authenticity of Katzbalgers, plesase see

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...174#post141174,

posts 113 ff.

m

Matchlock · 29th June 2012, 09:52 PM

Close-ups from a painting by Lucas Cranach the Younger, dated 1584, in the Germanisches Nationalmuseum Nuremberg.
The arms and armor are of course depicted in the old traditional style of the 1540's.

As in several other instances of contemporary illustrative sources of period artwork, the artist even considered depicting the characteristic cross and orb mark - plus, near the tip, a typical wavy, serpent-like ornament - on the blade of the saber!!!

Please note that the hilts of both arms are blackened!

Author's photos, 1995.

See also
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...714#post141714

Best,
m

Matchlock · 30th June 2012, 03:50 PM

A Katzbalger of characteristic type, the forte of the blade fullered, the bone nodus of the hilt damaged; early 16th c.
Germanisches Nationalmuseum Nurembeg.

m

cornelistromp · 4th July 2012, 06:51 AM

Michael,

Di you maybe know which saints are engraved on the brass grip plate?

best,

Matchlock · 4th July 2012, 01:16 PM

Sorry, Jasper,

I am not familiar with most of the Acts of the Saints.

Best,
m

18th June 2012, 06:02 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A Small Landsknecht Messer, Seitenwehr, Hauswehr, early 16th Century Based on many instances of 15th and 16th c. period artwork, mainly paintings and woodcuts, this type of all-purpose Messer (knife), including employment as both tool and weapon, was part of the basic equipment of foot soldiers, both top and low ranking, Landsknechts (mercenaries) and peasants alike, varying only in quality. Today, most existing specimen are only preserved as excavated or water finds, and in ruinous condition. The finest preserved sample I have ever come across was one sold from the Princely Collection of Liechtenstein, Schloss Vaduz, at Christie's, London, November 20, 1991, lot 62, where I bought it. It increased its estimate sevenfold, with renowned dealers and collectors like Geoffrey Jenkinson engaged in the bidding process! Well, I won. It retained its original natural staghorn grips attached by hollow brass rivets, the trifold pommel in characteristic asymmetric 'bird's head' shape, the blade struck two times with a cross and orb mark which is mostly found on Austrian and South German blades. It was a typical Messerer's (cutler's) work, with the point clearly visible where the hardened edge was fire welded to the (softer) blade. The lower section of the blade, right above the tip, was struck with a stylyzied Gothic trefoil ornament (Dreipass). The overall length was 41.9 cm, the length of the blade 30 cm, the maximum blade width 2.9 cm right below the transverse parrying lug which was decorated with Late-Gothic checkered pattern. As edged weapons are not my domain of collecting, I sold the fine piece a few years ago. The attached woodcuts: - by Albrecht Dürer, Three Peasants Talking, ca. 1500 - Johann v. Schwarzenberg, Bambergische Peinliche Halsgerichtsordnung, 1507 Enjoy. Best, Michael Attached Images

18th June 2012, 06:12 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	The remaining attachments. At the bottom a late painting by Brueghel, with a Seitenwehr pictured in the left part of the picture. Next, a detail from a Nuremberg painting Landsknechts Fleeing Death, ca. 1510. And a woodcut Peasant's Dance, by Hans Sebald Beham, Nuremberg, 1546-7. m Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 18th June 2012 at 07:01 PM.

29th June 2012, 09:52 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A Landsknecht Sword and Saber, Dated 1584 Close-ups from a painting by Lucas Cranach the Younger, dated 1584, in the Germanisches Nationalmuseum Nuremberg. The arms and armor are of course depicted in the old traditional style of the 1540's. As in several other instances of contemporary illustrative sources of period artwork, the artist even considered depicting the characteristic cross and orb mark - plus, near the tip, a typical wavy, serpent-like ornament - on the blade of the saber!!! Please note that the hilts of both arms are blackened! Author's photos, 1995. See also http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...714#post141714 Best, m Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 29th June 2012 at 10:22 PM.

30th June 2012, 03:50 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A Katzbalger of characteristic type, the forte of the blade fullered, the bone nodus of the hilt damaged; early 16th c. Germanisches Nationalmuseum Nurembeg. m Attached Images

21st June 2012, 04:21 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	For anther good and lively discussion on the authenticity of Katzbalgers, plesase see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...174#post141174, posts 113 ff. m

4th July 2012, 06:51 AM	#6
cornelistromp Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,057	Michael, Di you maybe know which saints are engraved on the brass grip plate? best,

4th July 2012, 01:16 PM	#7
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Sorry, Jasper, I am not familiar with most of the Acts of the Saints. Best, m