Skip to main content

This auction has ended. View lot details

You may also be interested in

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

Lot 183

A German Sword Of Justice Or Executioner's Sword
Dated Anno 1694

24 April 2013, 11:00 BST
London, Knightsbridge

Sold for £4,375 inc. premium

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Arms and Armour specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

A German Sword Of Justice Or Executioner's Sword
Dated Anno 1694

With broad flat double-edged rebated blade (some wear and minor areas of pitting) with central fuller on each side of the forte between etched flowering scrolling foliage, the fuller on one side etched with the inscriptions 'Wan Ich Das Schwert Thue Auffheben Wunsch Ich Dem Sünder Das Ewige Leden', an execution scene beyond, and on the other 'Die herren Steuren Dem Vnheil Ich Exquiere Ihr Urtheil Anno 1694', an indistinct figure hanging from a gallows beyond, the short ricasso on one side stamped with profile negro-head bladesmith's mark, gilt-brass hilt (some wear to gilding) comprising straight writhen quillons swelling towards the tips and with leaf-calyx terminals, globular pommel en suite and with compressed button terminal, and tapering spirally-grooved grip bound with twisted copper wire
84.6 cm. blade

Footnotes

The inscriptions read in translation: 'When I raise the sword against you, I wish the sinner eternal life', and 'The rulers check your evil, I execute their final judgement'

The bladesmith's mark is possibly that of Andreis or Peter Munsten

For a survey of German 'Swords of Justice' and their inscriptions see Ulrich Kühn, 'Das Richtschwert in Bayern', Waffen und Kostümkunde, 1970, heft 2, pp. 89-126

Additional information

Bid now on these items

A Silver-Mounted Left-Hand Dagger, probably German, Italian or English Late 16th Century Or Later

A Cased Pair Of Scottish 50-Bore Percussion Duelling Or Target Pistols By Alex.r Martin, Glasgow, Mid-19th Century

The medals and associate ephemera and uniforms of Arthur Watts, 6th Inniskilling Dragoons

A Pair Of Highland All-Metal Percussion Belt Pistols Signed Paton & Walsh Perth, Mid 19th century