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Lot 5075

A German hand-and-a-half or bastard sword
second quarter 16th century

8 June 2015, 10:00 PDT
San Francisco

Sold for US$9,360 inc. premium

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A German hand-and-a-half or bastard sword
second quarter 16th century

Broad 44 1/2 inch blade with 9 1/2 inch fuller at the forte, the ricasso bearing the crossed flails maker's mark of Melchior Diefstetter, the reverse with the shield lozengy of Bavaria; fuller with line and dot border surmounted by a cross and stamped seven times with two small armorer's marks. (see Note below) Steel hilt comprising downcurving quillons with spirally fluted ball finials and outboard branch with reinforcing ring, the branch molded with five spirally fluted balls; inner defense composed of a saltire joined to the side bars, the lower side with projecting bar terminating in a spirally fluted ball; writhen pommel of compressed ovoid form, the center of each rib engraved with double lines. The 8 inch wooden grip molded with two rings at the center and single rings top and bottom and retaining perhaps 50-60% of the original black leather binding.
Condition: Blade has been cleaned at some time and showing areas of pitting and some delamination. Hilt with dark, mottled patina showing areas of pitting.
See Illustration

Footnotes

Note: See No. A534 in the Wallace Collection for a sword by Diefstetter with the same marks in the fullers.

Additional information

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