Fine and Historic Executioner Sword Made for the Dutch City of Haarlem, First Half 17th C

Description

Dating to the height of Dutch power and affluence, this exceptional quality executioner’s
sword was special ordered by the City of Haarlem from famous Solingen blade smith Peter
Munich, the Elder (1580-1651). The heavy, broad 35 1/4″ (89.5 cm) double-edged blade
widens toward its 2 7/8″ wide blunt end, with 8 1/2″ central fuller. Below the fuller is deeply
stamped three of Peter Munich’s signature bishop’s head maker’s marks on each side. One
fuller is deeply etched “*FIAT JUSTITIA* (Let Justice be Done), flanked by scrolling foliage.
Above the bishop’s head marks on this side is etched a bare-breasted Lady Justice holding
a sword in one hand and the Scales of Justice in the other. The opposite fuller is etched
with the Haarlem City Motto “*VICIT VIM VIRTUS*” (Virtue Conquered Violence), also
flanked by scrolling foliage. Above the bishop’s head marks on this side is the etched
Haarlem Coat of Arms, a Jerusalem Cross above a sword, with two six-pointed stars on
each side, enclosed in an oval and surrounded by scrolling foliage. The blade decoration is
of fine quality, deeply etched and gold-filled. Symmetrical hilt of cruciform design, featuring
brass guard with faceted fig-shaped quillons and button finials; pommel decorated ensuite.
The original grip is covered with deeply pebbled ray skin and finished with decorative crown-
shaped brass ferrules top and bottom. This massive sword of justice has an overall length
of 45 1/2″ (115.6 cm) and weighs nearly 5 pounds 6 ounces (2430 grams). While the blade
was certainly made by the workshop of Peter Munich, the decoration, hilt, and mounting
could have been performed by other artists, either in Germany or locally. Condition is
excellent for its age; the blade smooth, with some age staining and signs of lamination; the
etching is sharp and clear and retains nearly all of its original gold filling (minor loss, primarily
on Lady Justice). Brass has been cleaned in typical European fashion; the grip wrap
complete, with minor stains. While such swords were made specifically for execution by
beheading, some were used as symbols of the courts. This sword belonged to the City of
Haarlem and may have been used by a city executioner or by the court for symbolic
purposes, or both. This one-of-a-kind historic sword is worthy of display in the world’s finest
collections and museums. A somewhat later (1694 date) executioner sword of similar
dimensions, with silver hilt and original scabbard, sold at auction in London in June, 2026
for 52,000 GBP, plus premium and VAT (over $89,000 USD at the time). The blade on this
example is better, with positive attribution to the City of Haarlem, North Holland.

Price on request