Austrian Felddegen / campaign sword

AHorsa · 21st December 2021, 08:31 PM

Thanks for your comments gentlemen.

@toaster: yes, the hilt is indeed very similiar. Do you have information "Martino Antonio"? I am asking, as I wonder how those pieces can be dated. I always linked this metal spacer (please see mark on attached image) between grip and blade with late swords from 1700 / 1st quarter 18th c.

I found some examples of swords with blades similar to mine. The one described here (https://www.biddr.com/auctions/fisch...e?a=34&l=26488) has similar floral decoration and is described to show a Turk´s head as well. The blade is signed with "JOHANNES WIRSBERGER". In his book "Blankwaffen" (1982), Hans-Ulrich Haedeke shows a similiar blade shape also showing the cartouche "Johannes Wirsberger". He dates it to the 2nd quarter 17th c. Another one is the clab-claw-sword, showing a sign of a "Johann Tesche am Weyersberg, 1635" (please see attached scans). There is also an "IAN TESCHE WIRSBERG". I can imagine that it is all the same person.

As the "Wirsberg"-blades have the same shape and similar floral decoration as well as (in one case) a Turk´s head, I wonder if this sword can be date into the 2nd quarter of the 17th c rather than the last quarter or beginning of 18th c. But how does the turk´s head fits in that time, as they were more common during and after the great Turkish wars (1683-1699). Or am I wrong and the heads where already common earlier or are the blades later?

Kind regards
Andreas

21st December 2021, 08:31 PM	#4
AHorsa Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Rhineland Posts: 375	Thanks for your comments gentlemen. @toaster: yes, the hilt is indeed very similiar. Do you have information "Martino Antonio"? I am asking, as I wonder how those pieces can be dated. I always linked this metal spacer (please see mark on attached image) between grip and blade with late swords from 1700 / 1st quarter 18th c. I found some examples of swords with blades similar to mine. The one described here (https://www.biddr.com/auctions/fisch...e?a=34&l=26488) has similar floral decoration and is described to show a Turk´s head as well. The blade is signed with "JOHANNES WIRSBERGER". In his book "Blankwaffen" (1982), Hans-Ulrich Haedeke shows a similiar blade shape also showing the cartouche "Johannes Wirsberger". He dates it to the 2nd quarter 17th c. Another one is the clab-claw-sword, showing a sign of a "Johann Tesche am Weyersberg, 1635" (please see attached scans). There is also an "IAN TESCHE WIRSBERG". I can imagine that it is all the same person. As the "Wirsberg"-blades have the same shape and similar floral decoration as well as (in one case) a Turk´s head, I wonder if this sword can be date into the 2nd quarter of the 17th c rather than the last quarter or beginning of 18th c. But how does the turk´s head fits in that time, as they were more common during and after the great Turkish wars (1683-1699). Or am I wrong and the heads where already common earlier or are the blades later? Kind regards Andreas Attached Images Last edited by AHorsa; 21st December 2021 at 09:05 PM.