Grosse Messer / Kriegsmesser Austrian Late 15th Century

[Jack Loomes]

With long broad falchion-like blade double-edged at the point, cut with a narrow fuller over most of its length along the back-edge and struck with a mark on one side, iron hilt comprising straight quillons of tapering circular section each with a double turn at the ends, upturned fluted side-guard of fishtail form riveted through the pointed quillon-block, beak-shaped pommel widely fluted on each side, and long slightly curved grip fluted en suite and covered with velum (light rust patination overall)

97 cm. blade

Sold for £12,000 inc. premium

Footnotes

The best-known sword of this type is the one made for the Emperor Maximilian by Hans Sumersperger of Hall in the Tyrol in 1496. Similar swords called Kriegsmesser are depicted being carried by swordsmen in Hans Burgkmair's famous woodcut series The Triumph of Maximilian, published about 1515, No. 38 (see illustration) and seem to have been used by the Imperial guard in Vienna under the Emperors Frederick III and Maximilian I. For more information see O. Gamber, Die Mittelalterlichen Blankwaffen der Wiener Waffensammlung, Jahrbuch der Kunsthistorischen Sammlungen In Wien, vol. 57, 1961, pp. 30-33. For a very similar sword struck with the same mark see Lionello G. Boccia and Eduardo T. Coelho, Armi Bianche Italiane, 1975, No. 134 (illustrated), p. 340

For another example sold in these Rooms see Fine Antique Arms and Armour, 27 November 2003, lot 106

Source: www.bonhams.com/