Subject: Landsknecht mercenary infantry
Culture: Imperial German, Swiss
Setting: Holy Roman Empire, Germany/Italy 16th-mid 17thc
Object: Zweihander 'two-handed' sword
Arthur Eerdman *
* Royal Ontario Museum > Lobby
"Epée à deux mains Allemagne, 2e moitié du XVIe siècle ...
Les soldats d'infanterie se servaient de ces epées sur le champ de bataille ou les portaient dans les processions."
* Higgins Armory Museum > Story of the Sword
"Two-handed sword ('Zweihander'), about 1600 Germany
Steel; iron stamped with decoration; modern wood, leather and fabric Weight: 7 lb. 12 oz." ...
Arlington Museum of Art > A Knight's Tale *
"Two-Handed Sword Wolfgang Standtler German manufacture (Passau or Munich) Early 17th century Steel, wood, leather, fabric
The two-handed sword appeared on battlefields by the 1400s. By the following century, it was primarily a parade or ceremonial weapon.
For reasons of balance, it was not brandished with both hands on the hilt,
but with one hand on the grip and the other on the upper part of the blade that was covered with leather to protect the hand.
The upper cross-guard was much larger than the second guard in order to balance the weight of the blade, rather than to protect the hand."
* Royal Ontario Museum > Samuel European Galleries > Arms & Armor
"Epées à deux mains Parmi les armes de l'infanterie suisse et des Lansquenets allemands, on retrouve de grandes épées à deux mains. Tout comme les hallebardes, ces épées servaient à protéger les formations de piquiers ou à faire des brèches dans les rangs ennemis. L'épée pouvair être tenue de deux façons: par la fusée recouverte de cuir ou par la fusée et le long mentonnet plat au-dessous de la poignée. Bon nombre de ces épées étaient munies de protubérances en forme de croissant au-dessous de la poignée afin de parer aux coups de l'advesaire.
EN AVANT: fin du XVIe siècle Allemagne ou Autriche. Lame en acier, fusée recouverte de cuir (de style plus récent). Poids: 2.8 kg (6.2 lbs). ...
AU CENTRE: 1500-1600 Allemagne. Lame en acier, Lame en acier, fusée de bois recouverte de cuir. Poids: 4.7 kg (10.2 lbs).
À L'ARRIÈRE: 1500-1600 Allemagne. Lame en acier, Lame en acier, fusée de bois recouverte de cuir. Poids: 4.3 kg (9.4 lbs)."
Kimbell Art Museum > Art & War in the Renaissance: The Battle of Pavia Tapestries *
"Two-handed broadsword with flame blade 16th century Forged steel, wood, and leather" ...
"This exceptionally large two-handed broadsword was made purely for military use. It was carried resting on the shoulder as a sign of power during parades; when planted with the blade in the ground, it served as a point of reference adn gathering spot for troops during battle. The handle has a piriform pommel shaped into wedges. The hilt with curved arms ends in a spiral with a ring at the crossbar. The black leather-covered heel features two crow's-beak side stops. The flame blade is engraved with 'IOHANNES ME FECIT' (Johannes made me) on one side and 'IN SPANNILLI 1568' (in Spanilli, in 1568) on the other."
* Windlass Steelcrafts
Windlass Steelcrafts *
* Hollow Earth Swordworks
* Kimbell Art Museum > Art & War in the Renaissance: The Battle of Pavia Tapestries
"Two-handed broadswords
16th century
Forged steel and wood" ...
