16th century halberd; origin??

[fernando]

Perhaps the only halberd typology claimed to be exclusive of one only region (Switzerland) is the "Sempach", due to its particular shape. It was so named after the battle of Sempach (1386). This early style resurged in the late XVI century and again in the late XVII century by commission to Lamprecht Koller, although specialists (George A. Snook) remind us that this 'late' version only resembles the original, contrary to general belief.
I am not sure where precisely my example falls, on what touches a date, even when i compare its maker's mark with a set quoted to be from the mid XV century.

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[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by fernando

Perhaps the only halberd typology claimed to be exclusive of one only region (Switzerland) is the "Sempach", due to its particular shape. It was so named after the battle of Sempach (1386). This early style resurged in the late XVI century and again in the late XVII century by commission to Lamprecht Koller, although specialists (George A. Snook) remind us that this 'late' version only resembles the original, contrary to general belief.
I am not sure where precisely my example falls, on what touches a date, even when i compare its maker's mark with a set quoted to be from the mid XV century.

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Fantastic bit of history and detail Fernando!!! For a history nut like me these tidbits are pure treasure, and the kind of key information I look for in footnotes etc. Often I have browsed through references just reading these kinds of data. Thank you for adding this.

In looking at these markings, they seem very much the 'mullet' type charges seen in heraldry, and on a number of sword blades these are among groupings of marks termed 'cogwheels' (Mann, 1962, Wallace Coll. ).

It is interesting that in cases, the markings from polearms such as halberds cross into the realm of sword blades, and I wonder if these kinds of marks sometimes occur in groupings as collective stamps placed by varied workers or vendors. It seems these blades on polearms were made by blacksmiths rather than swordsmiths (though the two often interceded) but possibly armourers, who were more arms 'brokers and others might account for marks appearing in groups.
Not necessarily relevant in this case I guess, but just curious.

[Reventlov]

Originally Posted by fernando

I am not sure where precisely my example falls, on what touches a date, even when i compare its maker's mark with a set quoted to be from the mid XV century.

Hi Fernando,
Thank you for sharing this item from your collection, I think it may be an intriguing piece one way or the other... It has some features that I tend to associate with some of the various 17th century models of "Sempach" halberds, but I cannot find a perfect match with any such halberd specifically, and the mark in particular might convince me of an earlier dating.

For my own interest I have been comparing halberds and maker's marks... A useful reference is the website of the Swiss National Museum; their online catalogue has been updated recently and now includes photos and details of more than 1,000 halberds - mostly "Sempach" halberds and others from the 17th century.

http://www.nationalmuseum.ch/sammlun...ID=53&numOf=30

I recognize several of the marks you have shared... The square mark with the diagonal bend and three dots belongs to a Jakob Ringier of Zofingen, d. 1586, according to the Swiss Museum. They have about a dozen examples, and I have found a few in other collections also. All are very similar in shape and style. I haven't yet found any other information about this smith.

http://www.nationalmuseum.ch/sammlun...&sID=&numOf=30

From what I have found so far, the five pointed star with open center and the eight(?) pointed star within a pentagon occur nearly exclusively on halberds with quite similar overall geometry as the Ringier halberds -the blade is always straight and slanting forward, the back-spike is of strongly triangular form. A few halberds with each of the three marks also share other decorative markings of similar style. The Swiss Museum has many examples of both marks on halberds that they date to 1540-60. In Hafted Weapons in Medieval and Renaissance Europe, John Waldman suggests a slightly earlier range of dates for comparable examples: 1520-40. Snook is the outlier, dating the type much earlier, to circa 1500 (Snook's fig. 10 seems to possibly be the exact same halberd in Waldman's fig. 69a).

[fernando]

Outstanding, Reventlov.
Thank you so much for the great input, links and excelent pictures.
I will keep the Swiss Museum links to my favorites and spend some time digesting all that material.
But say, when you compare Waldman's fig. 69a (a publication i have) with Snook's fig. 10 (?), are you sure about Snook's fig. number ... or does he have another work besides "The Halberd and Other Polearms of the Late Medieval Period" ?
By the way, my "Sempach" example was discussed HERE a few years ago.

[Reventlov]

Originally Posted by fernando

I will keep the Swiss Museum links to my favorites and spend some time digesting all that material. But say, when you compare Waldman's fig. 69a (a publication i have) with Snook's fig. 10 (?), are you sure about Snook's fig. number ... or does he have another work besides "The Halberd and Other Polearms of the Late Medieval Period" ?

Sorry, I should have been more specific! I'm referring to fig. 10 in The Halberd and Other European Polearms, 1300-1650. The content is basically the same as the other publication, where the same halberd looks to appear in fig. 5. Waldman's fig. 67b is the other relevant illustration, of another halberd with the five-pointed star mark.

Hopefully the Swiss Museum will continue to update the online collection... I know they have a number of much earlier halberds that are not included, and neither is their very interesting collection of medieval swords.

Originally Posted by CSinTX

Thanks so much for posting these examples. Here is one I own that I posted a little while back. Your post and links provide a wealth of info.

Obviously made by the same craftsman as the examples you posted

Casey, What a fine specimen you have! I have not seen a striped pattern like that before, but it is clearly a perfect match for style and technique with the others.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Reventlov

... and neither is their very interesting collection of medieval swords. ...

What i have is this excelent printed catalogue, gift of an illustrious forum member. Pity it is in german, of which i don't pick a word. But the pictures speak for themselves.


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[Reventlov]

Originally Posted by fernando

What i have is this excelent printed catalogue, gift of an illustrious forum member. Pity it is in german, of which i don't pick a word. But the pictures speak for themselves.

Well I am very jealous then... I have browsed this catalogue several times at a university library a few hours from where I live, but have only ever had time to make the briefest notes.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Often associated with Halberd artwork is the Ethnographic nature of warfare in those days... Camp followers abound bringing to life the weaponry of the day for comparison......I include a weapon development chart and various battle scenes..including Pavia between The Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and Francis 1 of France.

There was even a fighting technique as displayed by the two exponents below described as "A Depiction of halberd combat, from the Opus Amplissimum de Arte Athletica, a martial arts manual by 16th century German master Paulus Hector Mair".

[fernando]

Originally Posted by fernando

...But say, when you compare Waldman's fig. 69a (a publication i have) with Snook's fig. 10 (?), are you sure about Snook's fig. number ... or does he have another work besides "The Halberd and Other Polearms of the Late Medieval Period" ? ...

Please forget my question, Reventlov.
In fact, Snook has both the article i spotted in the web as also a publication called THE HALBERD and other European Polearms, which i also happen to have.
... and yes, you are right in that Snook's fig. 10 is no doubt the same as Waldman's fig 69a.

[CSinTX]

Originally Posted by Reventlov

.. A useful reference is the website of the Swiss National Museum; their online catalogue has been updated recently

Thanks so much for posting these examples. Here is one I own that I posted a little while back. Your post and links provide a wealth of info.

Obviously made by the same craftsman as the examples you posted- http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=20210