The innovation and use of swords is important to Germany's long history. From the earliest Germanic people to modern Germany as we know it today, swords have been essential to nation-building, expansion, and defense.
Some of the highest quality swords in history were made in Germany's bladesmithing center of Solingen. Far before that, the Frankish people made a reputation for themselves as top sword makers by trading their blades with Scandinavian Vikings.
During the Middle Ages, much of Germany's sword making and use followed larger trends in Europe. The longsword dominated warfare across the continent.
While German bladesmiths conformed to the production of longswords for professional use, they also created blades that were unique to Germany. The katzbalger, zweihänder, Pappenheimer, and other blades are famous German creations that continue to fascinate history lovers and sword collectors today.
Swords continued to be important to modern Germany after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. Second Reich swords gave way the those of the Third Reich as Germany sought complete domination during World War II.
The following are swords famous to the country of Germany from the early Middle Ages to the 1940s. Although Germany's name and borders changed several times throughout history, we will refer to the country by its modern name unless otherwise noted.
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The Ulfberht sword is one of the most famous swords in early German history and one of the most famous swords in general. More commonly referred to as a Viking sword, the Ulfberht sword was actually crafted by Frankish bladesmiths.
The Frankish Empire was a confederation of German tribes whose territory was much larger than that of modern Germany. Frankish bladesmiths encountered Scandinavian Vikings as they explored the main European continent.
Viking leaders were so impressed by Ulfberht swords that they adopted them as their main sword. The most powerful Vikings wielded Frankish made blades, while lesser Vikings copied the design themselves.
Ulfberht swords are characterized by their wide and tapered blades, large pommels, and highly ornate hilts. Precious metals, stones, antler, bone, and etchings commonly decorated Viking swords.
The Frankish Ulfberht sword is important to European history because its design influenced later blades like the broadsword and longsword.
The European longsword is one of the most easily recognized swords in history and serves as the model for reproduction blades and movie props.
The longsword evolved from the Frankish Ulfberht. It too had a wide and tapered blade, although later blade shapes would become thinner as methods of warfare changed. The sword was most commonly used in the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods between 1350 and 1550.
Longswords measured on average between 90 and 110 centimeters. The longsword's length required soldiers to wield it with two hands. The hilt of the longsword accommodated two-handed use and featured a basic cross design.
Many blades during the medieval period were referred to as longswords, but each had unique characteristics depending on the specific time period and use.
Ewart Oakeshott's famous typology of medieval longswords categorizes these weapons by their length, shape, and hilt design.
In Germany, a longsword would have been called a langschwert. Designs were similar to other countries like England and France. Knights across the German kingdoms wielded the langschwert in small skirmishes and major battles.
In German, "messer" means knife. This refers to both kitchen knives and a specific type of blade that was popular in the 14th through 16th centuries.
The messer sword used in this period featured a single-edged blade like a large knife. Its wide tang and simple hilt construction meant the messer was cheap to make and sell.
People from all walks of life used the messer sword. Experts categorize the messer sword into two major categories depending on their use.
Everyday people purchased and wore the lange messer, or long knife, as a self-defense weapon. This version of the German messer measured 1 meter in length on average.
Professional fighters such as the landsknecht mercenaries used the kriegsmesser, or war knife, in battle. Measuring an average of 1.5 meters, this larger style of messer had a curved blade perfect for cutting and slashing.
The panzerstecher was the German version of a French estoc or English tuck. Panzerstecher literally translates to "armor piercer" and this weapon proved effective at doing just that.
Although used in the 1400s, the panzerstecher reached its peak popularity as a sidearm in the mid to late 16th century. Hunters used panzerstechers for hunting wild boar and stags in the early years of the sword's development. By the end of the 1500s, the blade would be a common weapon in battle.
Derived from the longsword, the panzerstecher or estoc featured an extremely pointy blade with no cutting edges.
The long, narrow blade with a triangular cross section was a stiff and sturdy weapon designed to puncture armor. By the 1500s, the use of plate armor reached its peak and professional soldiers had to find a way to injure each other while heavily protected.
The panzerstecher's blade design made damaging plate armor possible. Its two handed hilt allowed a soldier to thrust with the strength of both arms.
Perhaps the most famous yet misunderstood weapon on this list is the German zweihänder. This extremely large sword measured an average of 2 meters long. While many believe the zweihänder weighed up to 40 pounds, it actually averaged around 2-3 kilograms.
The ceremonial zweihänder commonly used in the 16th century could weigh up to the 10 pounds. Soldiers did not wield this weapon in battle, however.
The zweihänder was a unique sword used by landsknecht soldiers in the Holy Roman Empire (modern Germany). Formed to compete with the elite Swiss pikemen, the German landsknecht were mercenaries chosen from the nobility.
Landsknecht mercenaries worked as hired bodyguards and soldiers. While these fighters mainly utilized pikes and small swords, some also wielded the zweihänder when facing against small groups of opponents.
The length of the zweihänder made it ideal for swinging maneuvers. Strong landsknecht could create a wide circle of protection for themselves by continuously swinging the large blade.
The zweihänder also proved effective against pikes during combat because of its similar length and overall size.
Another sword used by the German landsknecht was the katzbalger. This small infantry sword was also the principal sidearm of Swiss and German foot soldiers.
Translating to "cat gutter" the katzbalger featured a short, wide, and double-edged blade that proved most effective in close quarters. The S-shaped guard of the sword offered a good amount of hand protection when slashing and thrusting the blade.
The katzbalger was a compact alternative to the zweihänder and other large swords. It measured an average of 70-75 centimeters and weighed between 1-2 kilograms.
By the 1600s, the rapier dominated sword fighting in Europe. The popularity of dueling and new styles of fencing led to the evolution of the sword into a narrower and more elegant form.
The most distinguishing feature of the European rapier is its decorative hilt and hand guard. Styles varied from country to country and Germany developed its own Pappenheimer version.
The Pappenheimer rapier was first forged in 1630 and became a popular weapon during the Thirty Years' War (1618-48). The sword was named after the German imperial field marshal Gottfried Heinrich zu Pappenheim and was favored by high ranking officers.
Like other rapiers of the 17th century, the Pappenheimer featured a narrow, pointed blade and decorative hilt. The hand guard of the Pappenheimer was unique. Its pierced plates protected the hand better than other hand guard designs. Because of this, the Pappenheimer gained popularity in neighboring countries.
While the Pappenheimer rapier proved effective in major wars, the blade was also used by everyday people for personal protection and dueling.
Modern German sword designs largely resembled those of England, France, and the United States. The Second Reich was formed in present day Germany after the defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War and marked the beginning of modern Imperial German swords.
Led by the kingdom of Prussia and consisting of the kingdoms of Bavaria, Saxony, and Württemburg, the Imperial German Army used several sword types unique to the specific regions and ranks of its soldiers.
The four major Imperial German Army swords are described. For an in-depth look at Imperial German swords, we highly recommend reading Gordon A. Blaker's article here.
The Prussian M1889 Infantry Officer's sword features a brass hilt with an eagle on its guard. A cipher of Kaiser Wilhelm II decorates the grip.
The Imperial German Army also used the M1849 Artillery saber, which has a P-guard and dove's head hilt. Many of these swords feature etching on their blades.
The Lionhead officer's saber was the most popular blade among both artillery and cavalry officers.
The final major category of swords in the Imperial German Army was the dress version of the Prussian M1889 Cavalry sword. This shorter and smaller version of the cavalry sword often features nickel plating.
One of the most infamous swords in German history is the SS-Ehrendegen, or degen. The degen was the dress sword of the Schutzstaffel (SS) uniform.
SS officers wore this straight saber as part of their dress uniform from 1935 to 1945. The degen sword features a D-shaped crossguard, black wooden grip, and SS insignia. The black enamel scabbard matched the overall aesthetic of the SS uniform.
Karl Deibitsch is credited with the design of this sword. Deibitsch worked with Heinrich Himmler on the designs of many SS-related objects.
The early degen swords were crafted in the famous bladesmithing city of Solingen by the Peter Dan. Krebs firm. Later versions are credited to Paul Müller of Dachau and Puma in Solingen.
Damascus versions of the degen are extremely rare and were awarded to individuals by Himmler personally. High-ranking SS officers, businessmen, and statesmen received Damascus steel degen.
Himmler awarded standard degen blades and hand-signed certificates to officers of special merit.
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