Katzbalger found at excavation and restored.

[Matchlock]

Great, Cornelis, thank you!

Here we have are another superb example of 16th c. combination tools:
the one on top acted as a scourer for the barrel of an arquebus (which of course makes this the Katzbalger of a Doppelsöldner!), one is combined with a screwdriver, another is threaded for acting as a corkscrew ..

Best,
Michael

[cornelistromp]

while studying various katzbalgers in museums and private collections , I found that this interesting weapon was subject to fashion of the time.
I will not list all features here, only those features that are relevant to the dating of the excavated Katzbalger in # 1 .

early katzbalgers often have a twisted eight shaped guard , round in cross section , and when there are mythical creatures chiselled in the guard are these larger and recognizably realistic in appearance , 1 mythical creature per guardarm, 2 per sword . see the Example A datable around 1525.
in later often developed Katzbalger hilts around the mid of the 16tthc , the twisted guard gradually disappears and is replaced by a guard which is triangular or rhomboid in cross section , the mythical creatures have become very stylistical and less recognizable and there are often 2 animalheads per arm , so 4 per sword .


if you look at the guard of Katzbalger of post1 , see picture B , you can see that this guard is of a later type; triangular in cross-section with four stylistically carved mythical creatures .

A fully developed Katzbalger in my collection ,picture C datable around 1550, has a guard which is quite similar in terms of style .
A guard triangular in cross-section and with 4 similar stylistic mythical creatures chiselled in the guard.

the Katzbalger of #1 is found at the main gate/old entrance of Eindhoven.

Three events can be mentioned in which the katzbalger may have ended in the canal in front of the city entrance.

1. In 1528, a major blow against the Gelderlanders was delivered at Eindhoven , they were being driven back.

2. In 1543 Maarten van Rossum took the city of Eindhoven with an Army of 15000 men, plundered it and took the castle Cranendonck.

3. in the early 16thC most cities in the Netherlands had restrictive municipal ordinances, it was not possible to get into the city with swords and daggers above a certain blade length.
at cannels in front of old city gates swords and daggers can still be found, they were likely thrown in by the city guard after inspection.
So many ballock daggers and some swords have been recently found in the cannels of Haarlem that treasure hunting is now prohibited there.


it's hard to tell where the Katzbalger has been made.
because Katzbalger with comb pommel is found primarily in the Netherlands, an assumption that it is a Dutch weapon with probably a german imported blade, is to justify

[cornelistromp]

Originally Posted by Matchlock

Great, Cornelis, thank you!

Here we have are another superb example of 16th c. combination tools:
the one on top acted as a scourer for the barrel of an arquebus (which of course makes this the Katzbalger of a Doppelsöldner!), one is combined with a screwdriver, another is threaded for acting as a corkscrew ..

Best,
Michael

Hi Michael,

you are welcome, I expected it to be the tools of an arquebusier
does a doppelsoeldner not mean that some landsknechts were fighting at both sides ?

best,
jasper

[Matchlock]

Hi Jasper,

In the scientifically acknowledged analysis of original 15th/16th c. sources, Doppelsöldner means a Landsknecht who was trained to wield double fighting power and consequently, in addition to his Katzbalger, either carried a hand-and-a-half or a two-handed sword, or, alternatively, an arquebus.
Of course, when applying for a new 'job', he had to demonstrate his abilities and when he was successful got double pay.


Attached please find early-16th c. egravings.
The caption to the first image says Doppeldöldner.
In attachment #3 you can clearly identify the bodkins in the Katzbalger sheath.


Best,
Michael

[cornelistromp]

yes you are right, these were the mercenaries with multiple weaponskills, deployed in the front line, and were paid double for this increased risk.

moreover, the scabbard construction of your image 3 in post 19, with the wrapped leather strap has great similarities with the Katzbalger found. see picture collection.
further, it is remarkable how much organic matter there has been preserved at this find.

addition to post#17 a spot or hate print about Maarten van Rossum.
Maarten van Rossum is dressed as a landsknecht with an early Katzbalger.
the ruthless way in which he waged war, was greatly feared. In his long career of warefare he frequently did use his motto: "glow and burn is the jewel of the war" in practice.He and his troops were feared and hated.


if someone has an old print of the troops of maarten van Rossum, please post it in this thread.
I am wondering if there is proof of landsknechts in his army appearing in the picture.

best,

[cornelistromp]

2 pictures of landsknechts with tools attached to the Katzbalger scabberd.
it looks like that 5-9 different combination tools were worn more often by mercenaries.

Indeed, the predecessor of the swiss army knife.

best,

[fernando]

Originally Posted by cornelistromp

... it looks like that 5-9 different combination tools were worn more often by mercenaries.

Indeed, the predecessor of the swiss army knife...

Most interesting perspective, Jasper .

[cornelistromp]

Hi Fernando,

This option was given in post 1 but I agree.

here are detailed photos of beautiful landsknecht two handers, with the stylistic characteristic mythical creatures to see on katzbalger guards.

around the mid of the 16th century these mythical creatures are more abstract.
Also note the pommels of the two swords they also came on katzbalgers.

Pictures © Carl Koppeschaar , thanks Carl