Help Identifying Sword

cornelistromp · 26th August 2025, 12:06 PM

The sword is a variation of the Grosses Messer, in that the grip plates are not rivet-attached to the tang. Instead, the grip was secured by a pommel, pommel plate, or a metal handle-shaped end. The sword is 1-1/2- two-handed; the long grip provides sufficient counterweight for the blade. It dates from the first half of the 16th century, possibly originating in Germany. I don't see any marks that clearly point to the Stantler family. A beautiful, original piece.

for similar see
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=messer&page=2

McQ · 26th August 2025, 06:30 PM

Thanks for the information.

The Passau mark is in the 5 image. Cross on top of partial orb. Stantler Family.

cornelistromp · 27th August 2025, 12:39 PM

The physical Stantler examples I remember had the mark stamped into the blade, sometimes also inlaid with brass. This embossed version, where the mark is higher than the surrounding metal, is indeed shaped like the Stantler mark.
The mark was used by the family from around 1450 to 1650, so this version is possible. Have you found identical ones anywhere?

McQ · 27th August 2025, 03:34 PM

I have not. It is clearly a hand-stamped mark and not a premade-stamp as the lines that form the cross are individually struck and the partial circle/orb is more deeply stamped on one side. It looks to me like the orb was hand-stamped first and the two arms of the cross were individually stamped on top of it (note that the cross is slightly crooked to the orb). That stamp is much further down the blade that the other two.

Hope that helps.

26th August 2025, 06:30 PM	#2
McQ Member Join Date: Jul 2025 Posts: 3	Thanks for the information. The Passau mark is in the 5 image. Cross on top of partial orb. Stantler Family. Attached Images Last edited by McQ; 27th August 2025 at 03:36 PM.

27th August 2025, 12:39 PM	#3
cornelistromp Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,063	The physical Stantler examples I remember had the mark stamped into the blade, sometimes also inlaid with brass. This embossed version, where the mark is higher than the surrounding metal, is indeed shaped like the Stantler mark. The mark was used by the family from around 1450 to 1650, so this version is possible. Have you found identical ones anywhere? Last edited by cornelistromp; 27th August 2025 at 12:57 PM.

26th August 2025, 12:06 PM	#1
cornelistromp Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,063	The sword is a variation of the Grosses Messer, in that the grip plates are not rivet-attached to the tang. Instead, the grip was secured by a pommel, pommel plate, or a metal handle-shaped end. The sword is 1-1/2- two-handed; the long grip provides sufficient counterweight for the blade. It dates from the first half of the 16th century, possibly originating in Germany. I don't see any marks that clearly point to the Stantler family. A beautiful, original piece. for similar see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=messer&page=2

27th August 2025, 03:34 PM	#4
McQ Member Join Date: Jul 2025 Posts: 3	I have not. It is clearly a hand-stamped mark and not a premade-stamp as the lines that form the cross are individually struck and the partial circle/orb is more deeply stamped on one side. It looks to me like the orb was hand-stamped first and the two arms of the cross were individually stamped on top of it (note that the cross is slightly crooked to the orb). That stamp is much further down the blade that the other two. Hope that helps.