Katzbalgers and Related Landsknecht Swords

[Matchlock]

Originally Posted by cornelistromp

beautiful swords, the knightly sword I think it can be dated a little earlier.
Oakeshott Type XV was there from 1350-1550, the pommel oakeshot type J with hollowed faces came in more around and after 1425 frequently. (and before 1250).

additional 2-handsword with similar blade as nr 2 Grandson

best,

Thank you, Jasper, for posting this.

I must ask: where is this fine item?

Best,
Michael

[cornelistromp]

Originally Posted by Matchlock

Thank you, Jasper, for posting this.

I must ask: where is this fine item?

Best,
Michael

Hi Michael,

it is from my own collection.

best,

[Matchlock]

That's what I was hoping!

May we see more of it? Any marks?


Thanks and best,
Michael

[cornelistromp]

of course!

best,

[Matchlock]

Enjoy.

m

[Matchlock]

Offered in a German sale in 2008.

Preserved in untouched but ruinous condition, retaining its original staghorn grips fixed by hollow rivets. The upturned, usually shell-shaped guard of plain form.

Best,
Michael

[Matchlock]

A Landsknecht-Doppelsöldner with a two-hand sword showing the pretzel-shaped quillons, and a Katzbalger with by-knives containted in its sheath, the latter bearing the artist's mongram D H, the Augsburg town mark, a pyr (fir cone), or a hop (referring to his name) between. Daniel Hopfer almost never dated his works; he died in 1536.

The term Doppelsöldner refers to the fact that the mercenaries (Landsknechte) were all free-lancers and hired themselves - and their own equipment! - to whoever was ready to pay them. The pay they were granted was measured by both their equipment and their skills. An average Landsknecht was expected to bring his Katzbalger, and probably a pike or a halberd; a Doppelsöldner, as the name indicates, was double equipped, e.g. with either a Katzbalger and a two-hand sword or an arquebus - and consequently got double paid.

Attached are further examples of Doppelsöldners.

Best,
Michael

[fernando]

Can i add some more ?

.

[Matchlock]

Thanks a lot, 'Nando,


Especially as an arquebus of ca. 1540 is illustrated!

I'll steal that image for my threads on Landsknecht arquebuses :

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...echt+harquebus

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...harquebus+1525

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ight=harquebus



Best,
Michael

[fernando]

You mean this one ?

.

[Matchlock]

Exactly!

I used to have this in my archives but somehow could not find it.

Best,
Michl

[Matchlock]

From the so-called Codex Amberger, a compilation of early- to mid-16th century German illuminated manuscripts which is now in the private colection of Christoph Amberger, USA.
The first illustration attached can - based on the shape of the costumes - be dated to ca. 1560, a period when the heday of the Landsknechte had already become a piece of history.
The second illustration seems to be from the 1520's-30's.

http://fencingclassics.wordpress.com/

Best,
m

[Matchlock]

A Landsknecht with his Katzbalger, beginning of the 16th century, the quillons showing the earliest form of the 'pretzel' which is not fully developed yet.

From the Herscheider Altar in Burg Altena.

m

[Matchlock]

A documentation of typical 19th-20th century Katzbalger copies similar to one posted here is available!

I do not wish to post them here so anybody interested please pm me and you will receive that documentation, including close-ups and current market prices!

Best,
m

[Matchlock]

Swiss Landsknechts and Doppelsöldners showing katzbalgers, daggers and halberds, and a matchlock arquebus being loaded.

All from MC Ms. 13, Kantonsbibl. Appenzell, Johann von Schwarzenberg, ca. 1530-40,
http://www.e-codices.unifr.ch/de/thumbs3x4/cea/0013

Best,
Michael

[Matchlock]

Two latest Landsknecht period rapiers, 1540's-50's - and actual earliest type rapiers - , photographed by the author in the military museum of Pague, located on the famous Hradschin, in 1997 - when earliest items where still on display there ...

I must say that when trying to access their obvious newly set-up dislay after some seven years of being closed to the publlic these days, I was totally shocked to be confronted with what seeems to be their topic presentation...

Where on earth has the beautiful old stuff gone?!

Best,
Michael

[Matchlock]

The painting The Herrenberg Altar by Jörg Ratgeb is now in the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart.
Ratgeb definitely knew what he depicted; as a consequence of his taking part in a campaign during the Peasant Wars, he got torn apart by four horses in 1526.

The lower of the swords clearly shows a stylistic influence by the Swiss types of swords and daggers (Schweizerdegen), reminding us of the fact that Ratgeb lived not far from the Swiss border.

m

[Matchlock]

An Italian style Landsknecht sword of ca. 1500; woodcut of a crossbow man, from Guards of the Holy Sepulcher, by Urs Graf.
From a book printed in Strasbourg in 1513.

m

[Matchlock]

A very rare depiction of an early-16th c. Italian type Landsknecht saber, with three-fold pommel, by Lucas van Leyden, ca. 1510, and very similar to the piece in my collection:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=saber+italian

m

[Matchlock]

Eastern European types of Landsknecht sabers of the 1520's and 1530's, and of some daggers.
From the chronicle on the deeds of the Albanian Prince of Scanderberg, printed in 1533.

m

[Samik]

Impressive chronicle! Thank you for all these fabulous pictures Michael.

Best,
Samuel

[Matchlock]

Thank you so much, Samuel,


Although I regret mistyping Scanderbeg's name.

I do wish you would come in here more often but I know of course you are very busy. It's a good thing to now that you still read the posts.


Best,
Michael

[Matchlock]

A Landsknecht hand-and-a-half sword, from a painting of the decapitation of St. John, by the master of the Attel altarpiece, ca. 1480-90.

m

[Matchlock]

St. George and the Dragon; sculpture from The Tyrol, ca. 1500.
Bavarian National Museum Munich.

m

[Matchlock]

The lot, comprising two items, failed to sell at auction at the Dorotheum, Vienna, yesterday.

Although the pommel is missing from the sword we may analogously assume that it was shaped to match that of the bodkin. The latter, of course, was part of the 'byknives' originally contained in separate compartments of the sheath.


m

[Matchlock]

I forgot to add that the blade of the Dorotheum sword is single-edged.

m

[cornelistromp]

Of course all the "Langes Messer" are single edged, although that some have a two-edged point.

best,

[Matchlock]

That's right, Jasper!

You would not believe though how often I have been asked this question (not here on the forum, actually).

Notwithstanding the fact that the Austrian catalog expert called this a 'Langes Messer' I still prefer the established term 'Grosses Messser' (great knife).


Best,
Michael

[cornelistromp]

Hi Michael, thanks that's clear.

For more information about this intriguing weapon please see.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=langes+messer

best,
Jasper

[Matchlock]

Based on many instances of 15th and 16th c. period artwork, mainly paintings and woodcuts, this type of all-purpose Messer (knife), including employment as both tool and weapon, was part of the basic equipment of foot soldiers, both top and low ranking, Landsknechts (mercenaries) and peasants alike, varying only in quality.

Today, most existing specimen are only preserved as excavated or water finds, and in ruinous condition.

The finest preserved sample I have ever come across was one sold from the Princely Collection of Liechtenstein, Schloss Vaduz, at Christie's, London, November 20, 1991, lot 62, where I bought it. It increased its estimate sevenfold, with renowned dealers and collectors like Geoffrey Jenkinson engaged in the bidding process! Well, I won.

It retained its original natural staghorn grips attached by hollow brass rivets, the trifold pommel in characteristic asymmetric 'bird's head' shape, the blade struck two times with a cross and orb mark which is mostly found on Austrian and South German blades. It was a typical Messerer's (cutler's) work, with the point clearly visible where the hardened edge was fire welded to the (softer) blade.
The lower section of the blade, right above the tip, was struck with a stylyzied Gothic trefoil ornament (Dreipass).

The overall length was 41.9 cm, the length of the blade 30 cm, the maximum blade width 2.9 cm right below the transverse parrying lug which was decorated with Late-Gothic checkered pattern.


As edged weapons are not my domain of collecting, I sold the fine piece a few years ago.


The attached woodcuts:

- by Albrecht Dürer, Three Peasants Talking, ca. 1500

- Johann v. Schwarzenberg, Bambergische Peinliche Halsgerichtsordnung, 1507


Enjoy.


Best,
Michael