A massive example of characteristic form, the robust cylindrical steel pommel with distal taper, steel guard expanding slightly at the quillon terminals and decorated with geometrical incised work, the wooden grip retaining its leather covering and twisted wire wrap with turkshead knots intact. The long, broad blade with short central fuller terminating in a square tip with three apertures, etched in German on one side, I AM WIELDED FOR JUSTICE and SPARING NEITHER LORD NOR PEASANT on the other, together with a gibbet and breaking wheel and the date, 1697. Dated 1697. Minor wear to edges from sharpening. Beheading by the sword in Central Europe was considered far less painful than the axe and quickly became the aristocratic option; it was automatically extended to the nobility. Commoners, however, paid extra for the privilege. Overall length 115.8cm. Condition II