Dont mention it Michael
It seems however that the more complex hilted katzbalgers existed even earlier than I (we?
) thought.
A fabulous painting done by Vittore CARPACCIO called
" Portrait of a Knight " dated 1510 , shows a young man clad in complete harness (- the helmet) and armed with what appears to be a fully developed katzbalger. Note the "figure-8 or S-shaped guard" as well as the distinctive pommel more typical for the mid/later part of 16th century.
Judging from the picture one could speculate that the weapon was also favoured among the men-at-arms/cream of the fighting nobility , not just the Knecht mercenaries.
Take a look:
Link to the source gallery :
http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/htm.../03knight.html
Best,
Samuel