Katzbalgers and Related Landsknecht Swords

bkp747 · 11th August 2014, 05:17 PM

I love this "thread"! So much information, that I must re-read it, and I appreciate all the beautiful pictures. Thank you ALL for the fantastic forum.

Matchlock · 29th November 2014, 01:17 PM

Hi there,

Today, I must ask for understanding, for not posting here for such a long time.

In addition to computer problems that have not been solved yet (my machine will be off for a week for a general check), my fingers are getting paralyzed more and more every day; the diagnosis might beAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the motor neuron disease that Stephen Hawking has. Even eating with a knife and fork has gotten very hard - and so has typing.

Nevertheless, here I present the finest preserved and most important Katzbalger to have been for sale ever. It is closely related to the famous specimen made for Ulrich von Schellenberg (now in the Vienna Armory, the Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, and fetched a fantastic price with Bonhams on 26 November 2014.
You will remember Ulrich von Schellenberg's Katzbalger from my earlier posts in this thread, and find further images down here.

Like that museum sample, the one in discussion also retained its original tooled sheath/scabbard together with a bodkin (the original by-knife missing). Please note that the chape of the sheath is a 17th century replacement.
The pommel of the bodkin is made en suite to match that of the sword. A bodkin served at least two purposes: picking up food at a meal, and working as an awl or prick; for the latter task, it is pierced to receive a thread for sewing, allowing the Landsknecht to repair his clothes.
As I have often pointed out, the early Renaissance period was, among others, characterized by a great variety of combinations of weapons and tools.

Best as ever,
Michael

Matchlock · 29th November 2014, 01:38 PM

A few more views of the Schellenberg Katzbalger, followed by the Bohmams specimen.

When regarding the two oak wood plates forming the grip please note that originally, they were covered by a cord binding which was hidden beneath tooled leather.

m

Matchlock · 29th November 2014, 01:54 PM

Lots of detailed close-up studies.

Matchlock · 29th November 2014, 02:03 PM

The latten-inlaid bladesmith's mark, the tooled sheath and the bodkin also serving as an awl.

Please note the leather tooling at the bottom finial of the compartment for the by-knife and bodkin, ending in a wavy decorative element wrought in high relief and merging into the stitches of the seam.
That characteristic serpent- or flame-like Early Renaissance ornament is found on various types of weapons and their accouterments:
http://www.vikingsword.com
/vb/showthread.php?t=8185&highlight=serpent+Early+Rena issance
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ly+Renaissance
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ly+Renaissance

Matchlock · 29th November 2014, 02:33 PM

In the top attachment, the stitched seam is seen passing over into a trefoil ornament representing the utmost stytilzation of a bunch of grapes.
For more on the characteristic Early Renaissance decorative element, please see
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...l+bunch+grapes
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...l+bunch+grapes
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...l+bunch+grapes

Matchlock · 29th November 2014, 02:41 PM

.

ulfberth · 29th November 2014, 04:54 PM

Welcome back Michael !

We all missed you, I hope that your health stays stable so we can enjoy your company here and you'r knowledge.

Respectful greetings

Ulfberth

29th November 2014, 01:17 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	The Finest and Most Important Katzbalger for Sale - EVER! Hi there, Today, I must ask for understanding, for not posting here for such a long time. In addition to computer problems that have not been solved yet (my machine will be off for a week for a general check), my fingers are getting paralyzed more and more every day; the diagnosis might beAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the motor neuron disease that Stephen Hawking has. Even eating with a knife and fork has gotten very hard - and so has typing. Nevertheless, here I present the finest preserved and most important Katzbalger to have been for sale ever. It is closely related to the famous specimen made for Ulrich von Schellenberg (now in the Vienna Armory, the Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, and fetched a fantastic price with Bonhams on 26 November 2014. You will remember Ulrich von Schellenberg's Katzbalger from my earlier posts in this thread, and find further images down here. Like that museum sample, the one in discussion also retained its original tooled sheath/scabbard together with a bodkin (the original by-knife missing). Please note that the chape of the sheath is a 17th century replacement. The pommel of the bodkin is made en suite to match that of the sword. A bodkin served at least two purposes: picking up food at a meal, and working as an awl or prick; for the latter task, it is pierced to receive a thread for sewing, allowing the Landsknecht to repair his clothes. As I have often pointed out, the early Renaissance period was, among others, characterized by a great variety of combinations of weapons and tools. Best as ever, Michael Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 29th November 2014 at 01:32 PM.

29th November 2014, 01:38 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A few more views of the Schellenberg Katzbalger, followed by the Bohmams specimen. When regarding the two oak wood plates forming the grip please note that originally, they were covered by a cord binding which was hidden beneath tooled leather. m Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 29th November 2014 at 02:30 PM.

29th November 2014, 01:54 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Lots of detailed close-up studies. Attached Images

29th November 2014, 02:03 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	The latten-inlaid bladesmith's mark, the tooled sheath and the bodkin also serving as an awl. Please note the leather tooling at the bottom finial of the compartment for the by-knife and bodkin, ending in a wavy decorative element wrought in high relief and merging into the stitches of the seam. That characteristic serpent- or flame-like Early Renaissance ornament is found on various types of weapons and their accouterments: http://www.vikingsword.com /vb/showthread.php?t=8185&highlight=serpent+Early+Rena issance http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ly+Renaissance http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ly+Renaissance Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 29th November 2014 at 02:24 PM.

29th November 2014, 02:33 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	In the top attachment, the stitched seam is seen passing over into a trefoil ornament representing the utmost stytilzation of a bunch of grapes. For more on the characteristic Early Renaissance decorative element, please see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...l+bunch+grapes http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...l+bunch+grapes http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...l+bunch+grapes Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 29th November 2014 at 02:51 PM.

11th August 2014, 05:17 PM	#1
bkp747 Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 15	I love this "thread"! So much information, that I must re-read it, and I appreciate all the beautiful pictures. Thank you ALL for the fantastic forum.

29th November 2014, 02:41 PM	#7
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	.

29th November 2014, 04:54 PM	#8
ulfberth Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 426	Welcome back Michael ! We all missed you, I hope that your health stays stable so we can enjoy your company here and you'r knowledge. Respectful greetings Ulfberth