Museum Quality German Hand-and-a-half Sword, First Quarter 16th C

Description

This exceptional sword features forged steel hilt with slightly down-curved octagonal-section quillons with acorn-shaped finials finely chiseled with flutes and wriggle work design. Single side ring and quillon block chiseled ensuite; reverse with diagonal side ring of round-section bars. Large acorn-shaped pommel chiseled with segmented flutes and wriggle work ensuite; original bottle-shaped leather-wrapped grip with embossed rope and line decoration. Broad, tapering 33 5/8” (85.4 cm) hollow-ground double-edged blade with 8 1/2” (21.6 cm) central fuller stamped “* I * H * S *” on both sides. Overall length 40 3/4” (103.5 cm). This sword has never been apart and is in outstanding condition for a 500 year-old sword; the blade with very light pitting and showing some lamination. The hilt is near excellent with chiseling sharp and clear and a great original leather-wrapped grip with clear embossed decoration. The finest quality and condition hand-and-a-half sword we have ever had, worthy of any museum collection.