A SUPERB AND RARE GOTHIC SHORT SWORD HUASWEHR

German or Swiss, 15^th-early 16^th century. 18 ¾” overall length with thick wedge section blade tapered through its length. Integral grip with tubular scale fasteners and truncated heart shaped base mount. Fine line bordered pommel securing portions of the original stag antler grips. Weapons of this type were carried by peasants whose access to arms was limited. They always mount a base lug to the grip and never a cross guard, strongly suggesting that peasants were restricted from owning swords, and that these were allowed under the guise of being working knives. That as here, they are not encountered resharpened, attests to the fact that they were weapons. This outstanding example retains most of its original edge and much of its original surfaces. Additionally, it is of superior quality to nearly all of its contemporaries. See European Cut and Thrust Weapons, Muller, page 233 #186 which compares to this example and is illustrated in three other works on arms. Of the two, this example is superior for form and marginally better preserved. On the market, it is the best we have seen in over 50 years!