Scheffline iron
| Scheffline iron | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Information | |
| Weapon type: | pike |
| Designations: | Schefflin, Archegaie, Javelot, Gabelo or Zagaye |
| Use: | Weapon of war |
| Creation time: | approx. 13th century |
| Working time: | approx. 13th century - 1520 AD |
| Region of origin / author: |
Germany |
| Distribution: | Europe |
| Overall length: | approx. 170 cm |
| Handle: | Wood, leather |
| Particularities: | The blade of the Scheffline iron is hollow to save weight |
| Lists on the subject | |
The Schefflinisen (also Schefflin, Archegaie, Javelot, Gabelo or Zagaye) is a medieval, European throwing spear of the 13th century.
description
The Scheffline iron has a long, grooved spear blade that is made hollow to reduce its weight. The grommet for attachment is very short. The shaft is relatively thin and about 1.70 meters long. The shaft was covered with fine linen or leather and painted to give it a better grip. The rear end of the shaft is feathered, similar to bow arrows , to improve the flight characteristics of the throwing spear.
Recent research assumes that the use of the Schefflin as a throwing weapon cannot be adequately proven. Seeburger suspects incorrect translations in foreign languages and a mix-up with the so-called dart as the reason for the description of the Schefflin as a throwing weapon. The purpose of the large, hollow skewer that is characteristic of the Schefflin remains unclear. A representative effect is assumed.
history
In the 13th century, Landsknechts were equipped with Scheffline irons to give the Landsknechts an opportunity to attack more distant opponents. In 1320 the javelins were listed under the list of prohibited weapons, but this was probably not followed properly. When the Landsknechts regiments were reorganized and it was decided to transform them from the Fähnlein into an organized foot servant regiment, the Landsknechts were mainly equipped with thrusting weapons ( spears , pikes ). As a result, the javelin lost its importance. In the 14th century, soldiers armed with javelins (called "javelin men") provided the bodyguards of the English king. The Scheffline iron remained in use by German mercenaries until 1520.
literature
- Wendelin Boeheim , Handbook of Arms, Nachdr. D. Ed. Leipzig 1890, Fourier Verlag, Wiesbaden 1985, ISBN 978-3201002578
- Antiquarian Society in Zurich, Indicateur D'antiquités Suisses, Swiss National Museum, published 1921
- Moritz Seeburger: The Schefflin. A search for traces of sources. In: Waffen- und Costumekunde 61 issue 2 (2019), pp. 155–186.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Wendelin Boeheim , Handbook of Arms, Nachdr. D. Ed. Leipzig 1890, Fourier Verlag, Wiesbaden 1985, ISBN 978-3201002578
- ^ Moritz Seeburger: The Schefflin. A search for traces of sources. In: Waffen- und Costumekunde e. V. (Hrsg.): Waffen- und Costumekunde 61 issue 2 (2019) . S. 155-186 .
Web links
- Ernest Weekly, The Romance of Words , Etymology of the term Archegaie