Swiss dagger
| Swiss dagger | |
|---|---|
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| Information | |
| Weapon type: | Dagger, sword |
| Designations: | Swiss dagger, Swiss sword |
| Use: | Stabbing weapon |
| Creation time: | from 1450, copies around 1900 |
| Working time: | Late 14th to 16th centuries |
| Region of origin / author: |
Switzerland , Confederates |
| Distribution: | Switzerland, Reisläufer |
| Overall length: | about 35 cm |
| Blade length: | Dagger about 25 cm |
| Blade width: | about 4 cm |
| Handle: | Wood |
| Lists on the subject | |
The Swiss dagger is a stabbing weapon from Switzerland . The Swiss sword ( early New High German : Schwytzertägen ), a late medieval sword , emerged from this later .
description
The Swiss dagger was a weapon with a characteristic handle shape, which was widespread in the area of the Old Confederation in the 15th century . In the course of the 15th century the blade lengthened from approx. 25 cm to up to 70 cm, so that the weapon was positioned midway between the dagger and the sword. The large knife of the German late Middle Ages and the later fascine knives are comparable . The proverbial reputation of the multifunctionality of the Swiss Army Knife goes back to this comparatively simple predecessor.
Heinrich Klenz (1900) writes about it: »Swiss swords, so it is said that those who learn more than one are called because they can be used for several. However you say from the Swiss their swords: they can be used beyderley kind. " (Meaning well as Slash - as well as a stabbing weapon or as a sword as well as a dagger).
Early forms in the 14th century had narrower blades that tapered along their entire length, and the guard was curved forward. In the later, classic daggers, the blade was wider, the guard was curved backwards. The scabbard was often decorated, it also carried the cutlery, usually the awl and a narrow knife. In order to prevent the wood from rotting, non-ferrous metal sheets were inserted between the handle and the parrying bar and pommel bar.
The Swiss officer's dagger 1943 replaced the saber as a sidearm after 1943 , it was given to officers and higher non-commissioned officers. Its shape is reminiscent of the historical Swiss daggers.
This also applies to various daggers in the Third Reich 1933–1945, especially the SS honor dagger .
Swiss sword
The construction of the Swiss dagger corresponds to the Swiss dagger, the blade length can be up to 75 cm.
Archaeological find, early form of the Swiss dagger, around 1380
Swiss dagger, found in 1886 on Lake Biel
Swiss dagger 1565, with cutlery awl and knife (location: National Museum Zurich )
Swiss warrior, wearing the Swiss dagger (approx. 1515 Urs Graf the Elder )
SS honor dagger , 1933
Swiss officer's dagger, 1943
_Urs_Graf.jpg)
Other meanings
In printer language, a “ Swiss sword” is used to describe someone who is both a printer and a typesetter .
There was a Swiss sword publisher in Zurich in the 20th century; he dealt intensively with Freemasonry in Switzerland.
literature
- Hugo Schneider: The Swiss dagger. Weapons and cultural history development with complete documentation of the known originals and copies. Orell Füssli, Zurich 1977, ISBN 3-280-00921-9 .
- Franz Egger : The Swiss dagger with the parable of the prodigal son (= Basler Kostbarkeiten , Volume 22), Baumann, Basel 2001, ISBN 3-9522108-3-8 .
- Thomas Laible: Swords. Myth and Reality. Technology, history, sword fighting, swordsmithing, film swords. Everything about European swords from the Middle Ages to "The Lord of the Rings". Wieland, Bruchmühl 2006, ISBN 3-938711-05-1 , p. 121.
Web links
- Anton Künzi: Swiss dagger . In: Historical Lexicon of Switzerland .
Individual evidence
- ^ Franz Egger : Swiss dagger. In: Historical Lexicon of Switzerland .
- ↑ Crossbow, half arrows, Swiss sword and cousin rifle
- ^ Martin Näf : Alfred Zander 1905–1997. Pedagogue, frontist, traitor. Full text online ( Memento from July 6, 2011 in the Internet Archive )