Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > European Armoury
FAQ Calendar Today's Posts Search

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 28th October 2015, 11:28 PM   #1
dayton56
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 14
Default Zweihander identification

Is it possible to identify the swordmaker for this zweihander sword? There appears to be a similar mark on both parry hooks , but I can't find any online references to such a mark. Any assistance appreciated.
Attached Images
    
dayton56 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30th October 2015, 09:44 PM   #2
cornelistromp
Member
 
cornelistromp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,058
Default

the sword is around 1580 for similar blade types please see
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=handed

almost all the blades of this type have a running wolf engraved at both sides, can you check if this the case with your sword.

16th century swords marks are almost never traceable to the sword maker, a few famous sword makers, as standler e.o. aside.

can you post pictures of the guard finals and pommel?

best regards
cornelistromp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1st November 2015, 04:14 PM   #3
dayton56
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 14
Default More zweihander photos

does this help?
dayton56 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1st November 2015, 04:32 PM   #4
dayton56
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 14
Default guess it would help to attach photos!

Still struggling with resizing attachments.
Attached Images
     
dayton56 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3rd November 2015, 07:40 PM   #5
cornelistromp
Member
 
cornelistromp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,058
Default

it seems a transition model around 1580, this type of blade was used on two hand swords between 1550 and 1575, the pommel and guard are of a later date 1580-1600.
the abrubtly stopping quillon finals are very unusual, you'd also expect (3 )curls here.
maybe the guard is a bit altered and shortened in the 16thC.

it's a beautiful unharmed original sword, congrats!

best,
cornelistromp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5th November 2015, 01:10 PM   #6
ulfberth
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 403
Default

I agree with Jasper,

The missing curls on the quillions is very unusual and this could indeed be a later transformation or even a variation on this type of guard. All the decoration on the quillions and pommel is in the traditional fashion and fits the time line of the sword.
This sword has indeed all characteristics of an original late 16th great sword, and they are not deliberately enhanced to make it look that way !
The maker will for now remain unknown but congratulations with this original two handed sword !

Kind regards

Ulfberth
ulfberth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6th November 2015, 02:56 AM   #7
dayton56
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 14
Default Zweihander

Thanks so much for your assistance... I also inherited a slightly damaged polearm that might be contemporary with the sword. Is there a different forum that enjoys looking at such a weapon or do you have interest in seeing it?
dayton56 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6th November 2015, 05:05 AM   #8
CSinTX
Member
 
CSinTX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 233
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dayton56
I also inherited a slightly damaged polearm that might be contemporary with the sword. Is there a different forum that enjoys looking at such a weapon or do you have interest in seeing it?
Please post it here.
CSinTX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6th November 2015, 10:04 AM   #9
ulfberth
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 403
Default

Yes Dayton,

Please do post it here, this will be interesting and this could shed more light on the topic.

kind regards

Ulfberth
ulfberth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6th November 2015, 07:01 PM   #10
dayton56
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 14
Default Polearm photos

One of the tabs is missing/damaged and a modern screw is used to help hold the blade on. It was acquired at auction (Vienna) in the early 1960's . The ring was added to mount to a wall where it has been for 40+ years.
Attached Images
    
dayton56 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6th November 2015, 07:38 PM   #11
ulfberth
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 403
Default

Amazing, this kind of etching on 17 century halberds is so rare... And the quality is unbelievable.
Although halberds, and helmets more often were etched in the 19th century, from what I can see on the picture this seems to be an etching of the 17th C.
It has nothing to do with the great sword in the sense of being a pair, the construction and quality of the work is totally different.
Congratulations again, I'm sure this is an original piece.

kind regards

Ulfberth
ulfberth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6th November 2015, 08:58 PM   #12
dayton56
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 14
Default Sword hilt in etching

Hi Ulfberth,
Thanks for your comments. There appears to be a detailed sword hilt on one of the images... any idea type of sword it is representing? Thanks, Fred
Attached Images
  
dayton56 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6th November 2015, 09:23 PM   #13
ulfberth
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 403
Default

Hi Dayton,

sorry, I dont see a sword hilt ....
ulfberth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6th November 2015, 09:56 PM   #14
dayton56
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 14
Default Sword hilt

I think this is supposed to be a sword...
Attached Images
 
dayton56 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 7th November 2015, 06:42 PM   #15
cornelistromp
Member
 
cornelistromp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,058
Default

given the style of the etching, the type of clothing of the etched man and the type of the halberd, I expect that this is not a 17th century halberd but 16th century one. 1575-1600.
the etched sword hilt seems a german basket hilt popular around 1580

the halberd is Indeed from the same period as the two-hand sword, is this a coincidence or do they have the same provenance?

best,
cornelistromp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 7th November 2015, 11:38 PM   #16
dayton56
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 14
Default Polearm provenance

They were both acquired at auction in Vienna about 1960. They have been in a private collection since then. I also inherited a really old door lock and key with the two weapons...
dayton56 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8th November 2015, 08:19 AM   #17
cornelistromp
Member
 
cornelistromp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,058
Default

I meant actually if there is something known about the provenance before this auction, maybe in the auction description.
on 500 years of age, 55 years provenance is historically not very significant.
cornelistromp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8th November 2015, 01:24 PM   #18
dayton56
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 14
Default Provenance

Good point.. I have not found any documentation in the estate paperwork and only have knowledge through conversation about the auction acquisitions.
dayton56 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 05:29 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.