RARE GERMAN SHORT FALCHION SWORD WITH DECORATED POMMEL CIRCA 1400: For Sale

RARE GERMAN FALCHION WITH DECORATED POMMEL CIRCA 1400:Ask any medieval sword collector how rare a falchionis, and most will tell you they have never seen one on the buyer’s market in 30 years.

Discussion:The falchion (malchus/German;fauchon/French) is a stout, short heavy single edge blade sword used primarily for chopping. If you equate it to a butcher’s meat cleaver, you have grasped the use and concept of the falchion. However, falchions with very wide blades are not as thick. The falchion was introduced as early as 1200 and evolved until circa 1600; (see pages 257, 270, and 273 in my book). Falchion blades and hilts evolved over their 400 years period. The hilt of the falchion mirrored that of other contemporary cruciform swords.

Many people mistake a falchion for a saber. They may look similar, but these two single-edged curved-blade swords are quite different. The saber is believed to have been introduced to Eastern and Central Europe by a group of Central Asian nomadic invaders called“szablya”as early as the 9th-century. The word saber (American) or sabre (English) is believed to have evolved in Western Europe in current-day Hungary and is associated with the cavalry who required more “slashing space”from atop a horse and therefore fought with long curved blades to facilitate this. The falchion, conversely, was probably derived from the Scandinavian scramasax, a very long knife (or short sword). The falchion blade is stout and is used in more of a chopping strike, like an axe or cleaver. Other curved blades during this period included the tessak (see pages 297 and 298 in my book).

Description:Falchions are shortswords, and this one is no exception. This superb ground find example has a stout blade with a strong curvature. The tip is broken off. The hilt is designed with and a thin tang with an Oakeshott Style I1 octagonal (8 sides) pommel decorated at each side with a silvered Cross Potent (attributed to the Kingdom of Jerusalem). The guard is an Oakeshott type 11. Length: 21.5 inches.

PROVENANCE:From the collection of Gottlob Herbert offerermann Stuttgart/Aach Germany. Herr offerermann was one of Europe’s largest collectors of Arms and Armor. He wrote several books on the subject of Medieval and Renaissance Arms and Armor and was appointed court expert on Medieval/ Renaissance Arms and Armor by the German Government (Öffentlich bestellter und vereidigter Sachverständiger für Historische Waffen).

Conclusion: An exceptionally rare sword that is decorated with a gem of a pommel. This same typology pommel appears on an Alexandria sword at the PhiladelphiaMuseum ofArt. If you have ever wanted a falchion strike while the iron is hot. It could be another 30 years before another one is available!!!*

All my items come with a return period and a copy of my book. You are buying with complete confidense.