Landsknecht katzbalger
Measurements
German landsknecht units were organized by Emperor Maximilian I to counter the Swiss landsknecht/pikemen who were dominating the battlefields of Europe in the early 1500's. Noted not only for their bright flamboyant clothing, the landsknechts quickly evolved into an elite mercenary force whose fighting spirit and ferocity soon outmatched the Swiss. Like all pikemen of the period, the Landsknechts carried a shorter sidearm which in their case was called a kaltzbalger. This sword includes in the scabbard a small knife and a bodkin point tool for various utilitarian purposes, including eating and loosening knotted rope. In the brutal and murderous confusion of battle, the kaltzbalger was a very effective sword - short enough for close combat, yet long enough for slashing and cutting. The katzbalger proved itself effective on many a battlefield. The sword was equipped with a large figure eight guard that protects the hand if the opposing sword should slide down the blade. The blade is of high carbon steel, as are the knife and bodkin. Grip is wood covered with leather, and the fittings are steel. Made for modern landsknechts by Windlass Steelcrafts.
length: 33 1/8"
blade: 27"
blade width: 1 5/8"
grip and pommel: 5 5/8"
guard: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
balance point: 2 1/2" from guard
knife: 9 1/2"
knife blade: 6 3/8"
skewer: 9 1/2"
skewer blade: 6 1/2"
weight (sword): 2 lb 14.6 oz
weight (knife): 2.8 oz
weight (skewer): 2.6 oz
weight (full set w/scabbard): 3 lb 12.8 oz