Katzbalger (Infantry Sword)
1500–1515
- Medium
- Steel, brass, and walnut burl
- Dimensions
- 88.9 × 17.8 cm (35 × 7 in.)
- Genre
- Edged weapon-sword
- Museum
- Art Institute of Chicago
Tags
arms and armorarmsedged weapon-sword
About
The Katzbalger (German for cat-gutter) was the principal sidearm of the early 16th-century Swiss and German foot soldier. Its short, wide double-edged blade was designed for slashing in close quarters, while the bold S-shaped guard protected the user’s hand and forearm from adversaries’ blows.