War Hammers?

Gavin Nugent · 19th March 2011, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

I'm more interested in the hammers than axes. I have a friend who is claiming that "real" war hammers have heads that weigh in at almost 10 lbs. and that seems way out of range to me.

Not beyond the realms of possability at 10lbs....I find for me though 7lb on a long shaft is more than enough weight to swing and has a great effect on objects struck.

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fernando · 19th March 2011, 03:21 PM

There must be a wide choice of these things, with a wide range of weights.
According to my expert contact, infantry ones may weigh around 3 lbs and cavalry (long shaft) ones around 7 lbs, as would be the case of this unique Portuguese XV century Crow Beak.

.

Matchlock · 19th March 2011, 04:16 PM

Hi David,

In Germany and Switzerland they were called Fuss-Streithammer (war hammer for foot soldiers).

I attach two late 15th c. samples from the collections of the German Historic Museum Berlin (b/w) and another fine late 15th c. item retaining its warding off disc (Brechscheibe) - I could not find the correct English term. Anyone ready to add it?

Unfortunately their weights are unrecorded.

The hafts are either of oak or ash.

Best,
Michael

David · 19th March 2011, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

There must be a wide choice of these things, with a wide range of weights.
According to my expert contact, infantry ones may weigh around 3 lbs and cavalry (long shaft) ones around 7 lbs, as would be the case of this unique Portuguese XV century Crow Beak.

.

Nando, is that weight for the entire weapon or just the head?

fernando · 19th March 2011, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Nando, is that weight for the entire weapon or just the head?

For the entire thing.

Matchlock · 19th March 2011, 08:17 PM

Hi 'Nando,

Do you happen to know (or are able to find out) the English term for that fencing off disc (Brechscheibe)?

It's also found on the awlpike type (Ahlspiess).

My favorite online dictionary dict proved to fail here.

Best,
Michl

fernando · 19th March 2011, 08:45 PM

Say Michl,
What makes you think i am a living weapons enciclopedia like Herr Trömner ?

George Snook, in his little publication THE HALBERD, refers to these devices mounted in awlpikes (ahlspiesse) simply as circular hand guards.
However John Waldman, in his work HAFTED WEAPONS IN MEDIEVAL AND RENAISSANCE EUROPE, calls them roundel guards.
Does this sound like what you had in mind?

Matchlock · 19th March 2011, 09:47 PM

Hi, Sir 'Nando,

Living weapons encyclopedia - me??!

Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart! Well, I'm certainly not, my dear friend, maybe apart from whatever may concern a few early firearms relics.

Roundel guard just seems perfect to a bloody foreigner like me.

I knew you were the greatest arms historian around anyway!

Thanks a lot,
and a very good night to a warm Portugal (and please cherish your charming cats!) from a darn cold and windy Bavaria (minus 8 degrees centigrade),
Mich

19th March 2011, 03:21 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	There must be a wide choice of these things, with a wide range of weights. According to my expert contact, infantry ones may weigh around 3 lbs and cavalry (long shaft) ones around 7 lbs, as would be the case of this unique Portuguese XV century Crow Beak. . Attached Images

19th March 2011, 04:16 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi David, In Germany and Switzerland they were called Fuss-Streithammer (war hammer for foot soldiers). I attach two late 15th c. samples from the collections of the German Historic Museum Berlin (b/w) and another fine late 15th c. item retaining its warding off disc (Brechscheibe) - I could not find the correct English term. Anyone ready to add it? Unfortunately their weights are unrecorded. The hafts are either of oak or ash. Best, Michael Attached Images

19th March 2011, 09:47 PM	#8
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi, Sir 'Nando, Living weapons encyclopedia - me??! Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart! Well, I'm certainly not, my dear friend, maybe apart from whatever may concern a few early firearms relics. Roundel guard just seems perfect to a bloody foreigner like me. I knew you were the greatest arms historian around anyway! Thanks a lot, and a very good night to a warm Portugal (and please cherish your charming cats!) from a darn cold and windy Bavaria (minus 8 degrees centigrade), Mich Last edited by Matchlock; 19th March 2011 at 10:17 PM.

19th March 2011, 08:17 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi 'Nando, Do you happen to know (or are able to find out) the English term for that fencing off disc (Brechscheibe)? It's also found on the awlpike type (Ahlspiess). My favorite online dictionary dict proved to fail here. Best, Michl

19th March 2011, 08:45 PM	#7
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Say Michl, What makes you think i am a living weapons enciclopedia like Herr Trömner ? George Snook, in his little publication THE HALBERD, refers to these devices mounted in awlpikes (ahlspiesse) simply as circular hand guards. However John Waldman, in his work HAFTED WEAPONS IN MEDIEVAL AND RENAISSANCE EUROPE, calls them roundel guards. Does this sound like what you had in mind?