BASKET-HILTED LANDSKNECHT SWORD

GERMANY, c. 1540–1550

A rare type of sword which developed from the famous mercenary katzbalger swords. The basket-hilt of our sword consists of finely chiselled quillions that race as a basket towards of a sloped pommel. The blade is a typical double-edged mid-16th century type with three narrow fullers. It has a Pi mark, typical for Styrian and Italian manufacture, encountered on several swords (c. 1530-1550) in various collections.

Only a few known examples of this sword type exist and it is less frequently encountered than katzbalgers. Two examples are found in Royal Armouries, described as Landsknecht swords (Dufty 1974, example 17).

Price on request.

• Overall length 96 cm
• Blade length 81 cm