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Comparing the Works of Ernst Schmidt
An interactive article by Nathan Robinson German craftsman Ernst Schmidt was a proliffic maker of many hundreds of reproductions of medieval armour and other artifacts from the late 1870s until about 1930. To read more about Mr. Schmidt and to see a larger sample of his work product, please view our Featured Profile. This page provides the ability for you to compare various Schmidt reproductions with the originals that served as their inspiration. Only through the careful study of these authentic pieces can we learn of the high level of craftsmanship present in the Schmidt atelier. By contrasting the differences between the antiques and their recreations, one can better judge the quality of today's modern-made replicas. The illustratons were originally published in Vienna in 1866-1870 to show the collections of the Waffensammlung in a book entitled Die Waffensammlung Des Osterreichischen Kaiserbauses Im K.K. Artillerie-Arsenal-Museum in Wien. Only 250 copies of this lmited edition were produced, making it a rare and valuable resource.  We present nine separate pieces to compare. To view each example, simply click the numbered square and wait for the new image to load. All comments following the comparison images are from E. Andrew Mowbray and are principally intended to pique the reader into a personal assayment of the degree of skill achieved by Mr. Schmidt and his artisans. About the Author Nathan Robinson has been interested in history and the hobby of reproduction arms and armour collecting for well over a decade. A professional Web developer in San Francisco, he started myArmoury.com as a resource for like-minded people and hopes to help educate and entertain enthusiasts and consumers alike. He strives to push the sword community forward, helping create a healthy market with functional and historically-researched pieces available for us all. Acknowledgements Images courtesy The Mowbray Company, Rhode Island |
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