Katzbalgers and Related Landsknecht Swords

Matchlock · 12th January 2014, 01:59 PM

... and all the best for the new year to come in my life - I understand sufficient of any Roman language to be able and get the sense when I see it written down!

Muito obrigado, amigo meu 'Nando!

Actually I was determined to keep my birthday secret because I never celebrate but then I got sort of carried away by those multiple views of my thread ...

m

Matchlock · 13th January 2014, 02:36 PM

In addition to the instances posted in ##404 and 405, I would like to point out some more samples to illustrate the enormous bandwith of the spectrum of representing a certain Gothic cypher/numeral.

I also attached an illustration of an executioner's saw dated 1594, with cypher 4 still represented in the Gothic tradition,though done at the end of the 16th century!
The saw was at auction at Hermann Historica's, Munich, in October 2008.

Have fun!

Best,
Michael

ulfberth · 16th July 2014, 05:37 PM

Dear All,

and Michael, Jim, Jasper, Fernando and all other enthusiast here...

After reading on this forum I am truly amazed how much knowledge there is to be found here and it is for free !

I've been collecting for more than 35 years and it is a delight to be able to gain information here.

Now about the katsbalgers, for some reason they were always verry popular in Holland, however I never bought or traded one simply becauese in my opinion I never got an original in my hands and now I understand why... mayby someday

Kind regards

Ulfberth

bkp747 · 11th August 2014, 05:17 PM

I love this "thread"! So much information, that I must re-read it, and I appreciate all the beautiful pictures. Thank you ALL for the fantastic forum.

Matchlock · 29th November 2014, 01:17 PM

Hi there,

Today, I must ask for understanding, for not posting here for such a long time.

In addition to computer problems that have not been solved yet (my machine will be off for a week for a general check), my fingers are getting paralyzed more and more every day; the diagnosis might beAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the motor neuron disease that Stephen Hawking has. Even eating with a knife and fork has gotten very hard - and so has typing.

Nevertheless, here I present the finest preserved and most important Katzbalger to have been for sale ever. It is closely related to the famous specimen made for Ulrich von Schellenberg (now in the Vienna Armory, the Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, and fetched a fantastic price with Bonhams on 26 November 2014.
You will remember Ulrich von Schellenberg's Katzbalger from my earlier posts in this thread, and find further images down here.

Like that museum sample, the one in discussion also retained its original tooled sheath/scabbard together with a bodkin (the original by-knife missing). Please note that the chape of the sheath is a 17th century replacement.
The pommel of the bodkin is made en suite to match that of the sword. A bodkin served at least two purposes: picking up food at a meal, and working as an awl or prick; for the latter task, it is pierced to receive a thread for sewing, allowing the Landsknecht to repair his clothes.
As I have often pointed out, the early Renaissance period was, among others, characterized by a great variety of combinations of weapons and tools.

Best as ever,
Michael

Matchlock · 29th November 2014, 01:38 PM

A few more views of the Schellenberg Katzbalger, followed by the Bohmams specimen.

When regarding the two oak wood plates forming the grip please note that originally, they were covered by a cord binding which was hidden beneath tooled leather.

m

Matchlock · 29th November 2014, 01:54 PM

Lots of detailed close-up studies.

13th January 2014, 02:36 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Variations of Gothic Numerals In addition to the instances posted in ##404 and 405, I would like to point out some more samples to illustrate the enormous bandwith of the spectrum of representing a certain Gothic cypher/numeral. I also attached an illustration of an executioner's saw dated 1594, with cypher 4 still represented in the Gothic tradition,though done at the end of the 16th century! The saw was at auction at Hermann Historica's, Munich, in October 2008. Have fun! Best, Michael Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 13th January 2014 at 05:41 PM.

29th November 2014, 01:17 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	The Finest and Most Important Katzbalger for Sale - EVER! Hi there, Today, I must ask for understanding, for not posting here for such a long time. In addition to computer problems that have not been solved yet (my machine will be off for a week for a general check), my fingers are getting paralyzed more and more every day; the diagnosis might beAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the motor neuron disease that Stephen Hawking has. Even eating with a knife and fork has gotten very hard - and so has typing. Nevertheless, here I present the finest preserved and most important Katzbalger to have been for sale ever. It is closely related to the famous specimen made for Ulrich von Schellenberg (now in the Vienna Armory, the Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, and fetched a fantastic price with Bonhams on 26 November 2014. You will remember Ulrich von Schellenberg's Katzbalger from my earlier posts in this thread, and find further images down here. Like that museum sample, the one in discussion also retained its original tooled sheath/scabbard together with a bodkin (the original by-knife missing). Please note that the chape of the sheath is a 17th century replacement. The pommel of the bodkin is made en suite to match that of the sword. A bodkin served at least two purposes: picking up food at a meal, and working as an awl or prick; for the latter task, it is pierced to receive a thread for sewing, allowing the Landsknecht to repair his clothes. As I have often pointed out, the early Renaissance period was, among others, characterized by a great variety of combinations of weapons and tools. Best as ever, Michael Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 29th November 2014 at 01:32 PM.

29th November 2014, 01:38 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A few more views of the Schellenberg Katzbalger, followed by the Bohmams specimen. When regarding the two oak wood plates forming the grip please note that originally, they were covered by a cord binding which was hidden beneath tooled leather. m Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 29th November 2014 at 02:30 PM.

29th November 2014, 01:54 PM	#7
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Lots of detailed close-up studies. Attached Images

12th January 2014, 01:59 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	... and all the best for the new year to come in my life - I understand sufficient of any Roman language to be able and get the sense when I see it written down! Muito obrigado, amigo meu 'Nando! Actually I was determined to keep my birthday secret because I never celebrate but then I got sort of carried away by those multiple views of my thread ... m

16th July 2014, 05:37 PM	#3
ulfberth Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 428	Dear All, and Michael, Jim, Jasper, Fernando and all other enthusiast here... After reading on this forum I am truly amazed how much knowledge there is to be found here and it is for free ! I've been collecting for more than 35 years and it is a delight to be able to gain information here. Now about the katsbalgers, for some reason they were always verry popular in Holland, however I never bought or traded one simply becauese in my opinion I never got an original in my hands and now I understand why... mayby someday Kind regards Ulfberth

11th August 2014, 05:17 PM	#4
bkp747 Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 15	I love this "thread"! So much information, that I must re-read it, and I appreciate all the beautiful pictures. Thank you ALL for the fantastic forum.