Swept-Hilt Sword for the Munich Town Guard

Dateabout 1600

Mediumsteel with bluing, wood

Dimensions101.9 × 85.1 × 4.5 × 18 cm (40 1/8 × 33 1/2 × 1 3/4 × 7 1/16 in.), 3 lb, 3 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsBears the marks of Stäntler (crowned ST), and the crown and ZH of the Munich Zeughaus; see digital file. The Zeughaus mark is cleaner and probably much later.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.52

DescriptionBlade of flattened diamond section, with visible seams at steel-iron joins. Blade is very broad at hilt, tapering straight to the point. Robust ricasso of rectangular section. Swept hilt with original blueing, of oval stock with disk-like terminals on the knuckleguard and rear quillon.

Restored grip, wrapped in wire, with Turks heads. Pommel has been removed and hammered back in place.
Label TextDuring the late Middle Ages, swordsmen learned the trick of slipping their index finger over the crossbar to give them better control over the blade. Since this exposed the finger to injury, swordmakers began to add protective rings of iron at the base of the blade. Over the course of the 1500s, additional protective bars were added, ultimately producing the sculptural lines of the fully developed swept hilt. The swept hilt and sharply tapered point on this sword are typical for a rapier, but the wide blade at the hilt is more characteristic of a military broadsword, making it a crossbreed style between the two. This was well suited to the needs of a town guard, whose duties ranged from breaking up streetfights to defending the city walls in time of war.ProvenancePurchased from Ian Eaves (London, England) on January 20, 2005. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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