German Langmesser with leather sheath 1510

Mittelalter

$237.60

4-5 Wochen

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Code: MSW8452

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GERMAN LANGMESSER WITH LEATHER SHEATH 1510

Produktbeschreibung
Galerie (8)

German long knife (Langes Messer), around 1510 AD.

In the late Middle Ages, both the development of cities and the rise of the bourgeoisie led to an increased demand for civilian defensive weapons. At that time, only members of the nobility had the right to carry double-edged swords. Therefore, the so-called langes messer (= long knife, often referred to simply as a messer in English), an extended version of the German medieval bauernwehr, became the weapon of the common people. Unlike the sabre-shaped grosses Messer (also grossmesser), which appeared around the same time, the long knife had a straight, single-edged blade. However, it often had a so-called false blade (counter-blade) at the tip, thus creating a double-edged point.

This Ulfberth long knife is modelled on a very well-preserved original that was part of the private collection of Crown Prince Ernst August of Hanover before it was auctioned off in 2012.

The forged guard has an axe-like curved shape and is fitted with a large ring on the obverse. The sturdy mandrel is riveted into a solid, one-piece forged steel head. The hardwood handle shanks are secured with seven iron ball-head rivets. The upper half of the blade is decorated with three grooves. The blade is hand forged from EN45 spring steel and oil-hardened to a hardness of approximately 48-50 HRC. However, the blade is not sharpened.

A matching leather sheath is included.