German or Swiss. A fine example with 38 3/8” diamond section blade, relieved at the forte providing a grip for the right hand ahead of the guard. The ricasso with deep, crisp, well struck Nuremberg guild mark, (Gyngell p.29). Long cross guard of earlier form for the period with later examples often mounted with recurved quillons and/or pas d’ane (ring guards below the cross guard to protect the fingers placed ahead of the cross guard). Leather covered wood grip divided by two transverse ridged bands, with small bare spots revealing the original wood core. Faceted inverted pear shaped pommel. A fine example of an important evolutionary form designed to breach increasing thick armor. For related examples, see Wallace Collection, A476 and A 483, and Royal Armouries, IX-897
