German Long Knife with leather scabbard, ca. 1510

German Long Knife with leather scabbard, ca. 1510

In the late Middle Ages, both urban growth and the rising of the middle classes led to an increased demand for a civil weapon of defence. At that time, only the aristocracy was allowed to carry double-edged swords. Therefore, the so-called langes messer (= long knife, also commonly translated as messer in English), an extended version of the German medieval bauernwehr, emerged as the weapon of the common man. Unlike the saber-like grosses messer (also called grossmesser), which made its appearance at around the same time, the longknife had a straight, single-edged blade. However, it often featured a so-called false edge or reverse edge at the tip and had thus a double-edged point.

The forged guard is S-shaped curved and features a large parrying ring on the obverse side. The sturdy tang is riveted to the solidly forged steel pommel. The hardwood grip plates are held in place by seven iron ball-head rivets. The blade's upper half is adorned with three fullers. It is hand-forged out of EN45 spring steel and oil-tempered up to 48-50° Rockwell. Its edge is however not sharpened.

Delivery includes a matching leather scabbard.

Specifications:

• Replica of an original sword from the early 16th century
• Blade material: oil-tempered EN45 spring steel
• Rockwell hardness of the blade: approx. 48 HRC
• Overall length: approx. 115cm
• Blade length: approx. 91cm
• Max. blade width: approx. 4.3cm
• Blade thickness: approx. 4mm
• Cutting edge: approx. 1mm thick
• Point of Balance: approx. 21cm from the guard
• Weight: approx. 1650 g
• Including leather scabbard

This is an original ULFBERTH® product®.