[Ralph Rudolph]

Need some help with my new acquisition from you expert folks.
I'm glad to say that Czech swordsmith Pavel Moc today accepted my order (in English!) for the Cranach sword as you see below. It looks intriguing and is much cheaper than the Albions in my collection. I will keep you posted about the quality when it arrives in February.

NOW I need some help to classify the sword. It is my first venture into post-medieval swords - but what actually would you classify it? Roughly which century? Renaissance already?

And just a very practical question: where does the thumb go in this delicate device Or in other words: which one is the long edge of this sword?

Thanks for help

Ralph

[Sean Flynt]

The side with the cutout is the front edge of the blade. The cutout is for the index (pointing) finger. The thumb isn't involved in this guard, although the thumb could be used to lock down the tip of the index finger against the inside surface of the cross, as with a rapier.

As for date and culture--I'd guess German, ca. 1500. That date also happens to be solidly in the career of painter Lucas Cranach the Elder, whose work apparently inspired this weapon.

[Blaz Berlec]

Nice sword. And don't be too surprised if your order will be delayed a bit, several of my friends are waiting for their swords, but Moc has apparently other work (like forging ornate fences and window bars)...

But his swords are nice, relatively cheap (especially if you can drive to his workshop and pick them up yourself) and extremely durable for longsword practice and stage fights.