The Grosse Messer
THE Grosse Messer, literally “big knife” in German, was a type of sword that became popular in central Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries, particularly in the civilian contexts of selfdefence and hunting. Whereas most swords’ blades narrowed at the tang, tapering up through the grip to be hammered in place over the top of the pommel, the tangs of messers were of full width throughout. Grips, usually of horn on hunting variants, were placed either side of the wide tang, like a sandwich, and the whole assemblage was riveted together, rather like a modern steak knife. Indeed, this form of weapon probably developed from the peasant knife of the Middle Ages, hence messers did not necessarily convey the noble status of the classic knightly cruciform sword but were used more widely as civilian swordwearing became more common. Schools of fencing, to teach military skills and the arts of civilian self-defence to burghers, flourished during this period, with the production of many “fight books” to aid both students and masters. Many of these included sections on using the messer and the famous Renaissance artist, Albrecht Dürer, illustrated one of the most comprehensive guides on its use.
The German Grosse Messer from about 1510 (left) is of a type that is shown in many illustrations of the court of the avid hunter Holy Roman Emperor Maximillian I. The slightly curved blade broadens over the cutting area, making it more suited to the cut than the thrust. The length of grip and balance mean this Grosse Messer could be used effectively in one hand or in both for extra stability and power, with protection provided by the long cross and outer guard. Such a weapon would have been equally useful on the battlefield, as a means of self-defence or in the chase, although the decorative stag-horn grip suggests a hunting heritage.
By contrast, the other example (right), also
German but of about 1600, was clearly intended purely for hunting. The massive blade is ill-balanced for fighting but well suited to delivering a powerful coup de gr‰ce to a wounded animal, butchering a large carcass or clearing a path through the undergrowth on the chase. The back of the extremely thick blade is set with coarse saw teeth and the hole near the tip of the blade was perhaps for inserting a bar to act as a second handle, transforming the weapon into a two-man saw for heavy-duty field tasks. However, this object is not just a tool but also an object of status. The blade is damascened and has a maker’s mark, inlayed with latten. The cross and guard are decorated with a stylised leaf design and the visible edges of the tang and pommel cap are finely incised with scroll patterns. These details speak of the cultural importance of hunting in 16th-century society, in which even the most utilitarian of objects had to project the status of their owner.