FireStryker Living History Forum : Mid to late 15th cen. swords

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Topic: Mid to late 15th cen. swords

C . Lewis
New Member
Member # 534

posted 12-26-2003 05:04 PM

Hi all,
I have been lurking for a couple of months now going over all the wonderful info here. Now I'm finially getting time to post. I was reading the post on 15th century German merc. It seems like the ideal persona for me. I am currently reseaching the reigon I wish my persona to be from. Ihave a couple of questions about sword types for a german halberder. Back swords and messers were mentioned, but I am having trouble finding any info on them. Would they be considered hangers? I keep running into that term while trying to find the other two types. The only reference to messers I can find are museum replicas and cold steel, and they are two handed swords. On the AA it was stated the hilts weren't correct. Does anyone have any better sources on these type blades? Well enough foolish rambling for now. Thank you for any help.
Chuck

Registered: Dec 2003 | IP: Logged

Arik
Member
Member # 281

posted 12-30-2003 01:06 PM

Try http://www.lutel.cz/index2e.htm http://www.deltin.net/ http://www.armourclass.co.uk/ http://www.selten-handwerk.de/sh-neu/shindex2.html
For for more info, try http://forums.swordforum.com/index.php?s=

There are numerous places to look, but to many for me to list.
Enjoy,
Arik

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Arik

Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged

C . Lewis
New Member
Member # 534

posted 01-01-2004 07:42 PM

Thanks for the links.
Chuck

Registered: Dec 2003 | IP: Logged

Jamie & Christine
Member
Member # 32

posted 01-05-2004 02:25 PM

Chuck,
The type of sword a late 15th c. German halbardier might carry would vary depending on several factors : his purse, his region , and the year. A lightly armored halbardier of the 1480's -90's might carry an early form of the katzbalger (unfortunately, most commercial ones are 1510's to 1530's designs) or a simple single -hand sword with a plain cross and wheel pommel. A more heavily armored halbardier ( one who might command a number of troops) would probobly carry a hand & a half sword.
The term "messer" simply means "knife",
and seems to be thrown around arbitrarily. The most common sword in late 15th c. Germany refered to as a messer is a single edged weapon with a shortish blade wielded in one hand. These appear to be more of a civillian/ hunter/ traveler arm than a professional soldier's weapon. However, you may find some images of 1470's -80's pikemen, or other lightly armed infantrymen of low rank armed with one.
Once you narrow the date you want to portray , your choices will be narrowed as well, so it should be ealier to decide. I've been researching 1499 Nuremberg since about '93, so if you need any help I can refer you to some good books.
Cheers,
Jamie

Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

C . Lewis
New Member
Member # 534

posted 01-05-2004 10:48 PM

Hi,

Thank you for your reply. I had missunderstood the meaning of messer in the context of an article I was reading I thought it was referring to a sword. I did some more looking and found out it was a "long knife". I'm aiming for 1465 to 1476 German mercenary. It should let me fit in with most groups of that time period. I haven't picked an exact location yet. Probably from swabia, I need to do some more research first. As you can probably tell I'm just getting started. Thanks again.
Chuck

Registered: Dec 2003 | IP: Logged

Martin
Member
Member # 603

posted 05-08-2004 10:47 AM

[ 09-02-2004: Message edited by: Martin ]

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Verpa es, qui istuc leges. Non es fidenter scripto!

Registered: May 2004 | IP: Logged

Tom Matulewicz
Member
Member # 557

posted 05-21-2004 07:01 PM

For me it looks like you are looking for something like "tasak" (Polish word, I don`t know how it is in German language)
http://www.tvgawex.pl/~g13526/tasak.jpg

[ 05-21-2004: Message edited by: Tom Matulewicz ]

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http://www.man.poznan.pl/~ritter/Oporow2005/

Registered: Feb 2004 | IP: Logged

Martin
Member
Member # 603

posted 06-16-2004 12:59 AM

[ 09-02-2004: Message edited by: Martin ]

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Verpa es, qui istuc leges. Non es fidenter scripto!

Registered: May 2004 | IP: Logged

Woodcrafter
Member
Member # 197

posted 06-16-2004 07:15 PM

Yep yep, German Falchion. There is an English version as well. Both seen in this site.
Falchions half way down

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Woodcrafter
14th c. Woodworking

Registered: Jul 2001 | IP: Logged

Jancemeijer von Magnus
Member
Member # 695

posted 11-24-2004 03:53 PM

Chuck, I am doing a German Merc from 1480, so maybe we can compare notes. e-mail me through the icon above the post.

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~ Jason Banditt Adams
Illustrator for the gaming industry
www.Rogue-Artist.com

"Jancemeijer von Magnus"
Organization head, "Magnus Kompanie"
Aufgebot Hessen Kassel 1471-1480
www.GothicGermany.org

Registered: Nov 2004 | IP: Logged

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