Two-Handed Sword of the State Guard of Julius of Brunswick-Lunüneburg

1574

Medium: steel, leather and wire bound grip
Dimensions: Overall: 186.1 cm (73 1/4 in.); Blade: 132.1 cm (52 in.); Quillions: 51.4 cm (20 1/4 in.); Grip: 45.7 cm (18 in.); Ricasso: 25.1 cm (9 7/8 in.)
Genre: Arms and armor
Museum: Cleveland Museum of Art

Tags

Germany, Brunswick, 16th century

About

This is one of a large series of swords distinguished by the fish-shaped crossbar on the hilt (quillon) and pierced, crutch-shaped pommels. Each sword in this series is also dated and numbered. The crowned monogram of Duke Julius, the year 1574, and the number of this particular sword (N 59) are etched on the portion of the blade between the hilt and the beginning of the sword’s edge (or ricasso).