WAR HAMMERS for Footmen and Horsemen, 14th to 16th Centuries

[Matchlock]

Thank you so much, Jasper,


For both your kind welcome and for your valuable contribution on the Higgins hammer head!
I've just corrected my former wrong opinion in the post above and credited you, just to make sure not to possibly mislead anybody.

The Higgins inventory I retrieved from their home page did not provide any information on that inscription, so I surmised it would be all decorative, as is the case on many later items.

My computer is still not o.k., it must go to intensive care again tomorrow. My scanner is still not recognized and accepted by the computer - this is why I could not yet send all the scans I promised you.
That Fischer catalog still lies open on my desk anxiously waiting for being scanned, along with many other books ... so please be patient a bit longer - thanks!


Best as ever,
Michael

[kronckew]

i like the fisted nail ones: the dolchstreithammer.
(mine (1.) below, by the chap who made the one in 'van helsing' the movie) there is a dolchstreithammer thread we made earlier here with more war hammers.

i have a professional armourer acquaintence outside prague who makes these beck de corbin. (2.) a.k.a. 'hammer of lucerne'. this picture also shows the scale of the two handed infantry versions.

and a double hammered one very much like the one you pasted above. (3.) with longer languets.

he makes them in a traditional forge with traditional tools and materials. with a bit of his own artistic license thrown in of course. he tries to base them on museum examples as much as possible. might buy one like the beck. or get him to make one like your post with a beak instead of the 2nd hammer face.

[Matchlock]

Another detail of the grip of the war hammer of. ca. 1560-70 from post #7.

m

[Iain]

I have nothing to contribute only to say thanks for a very interesting topic!

[Matchlock]

It's my turn, Iain,

To say THANKS for your appreciation!

As soon as my grrr... scanner is back to work again I will post an overwhelming footman's hammer which I photographed at the Tower of London in 1990 and in the Royal Armouries Leeds in 1997; that specimen will overthrow you and literally beat everything!

Best as ever,
Michael

[cornelistromp]

for those interested in the gothic war hammer, there is a wonderful article in the forthcoming catalog of the London arms and armour fair 2015.

As we are used to Articles written by the hand of Clive Thomas, there will be detailed descriptions, clear analyses and probably a new classification for these interesting weapons.

It will be in any case, a leading article which I'm really looking forward to.

best,
Jasper

[Matchlock]

Excellent work, Jasper,

Thanks so much!
I, too, intended ed to post that advertisement but my scanner is not back to work yet ...

Best,
Michael