DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.23984#0009
This description of the 150 pieces contained in this catalogue has been written by Mr. Dreger himself
in accordance with his book mentioned above; the undersigned had but very few alterations to make. For
objects not illustrated in this catalogue, detail sketches, larger pictures, marks, measures, etc., please refer
to Mr. Dreger’s book on arms.
Lastly a few remarks may be permitted. All the arms in this collection are in an excellent state of preser-
vation, and pieces damaged in any way have not been included. This even applies to the prehistoric swords
and daggers, which comprise the numbers 1 —13 and which include some unique pieces. Among the mediaeval
pieces are some rare swords and daggers of the 15 th century, of remarkable shape. Especially beautiful and
unique pieces are: No. 18, the carved grip of which is well worth observing; No. 21, a typical specimen
of Gothic chiselled iron work; and No. 22 with handsomely decorated blade. The Italian arms are represented
by the “Cinquedea”, No. 24—28. Perhaps one of the finest specimens that has come down to our times is
No. 27, a harmonious, magnificent piece of work; according to the coat of arms it belonged to the famous
Gian Giacomo Trivulzio in 1510. Besides the typical lansquenet-daggers some Swiss daggers are also to be
found. These were worn by the higher officers. The difference in shape and workmanship between the two
kinds of daggers, worn by the most famous lansquenets of the 16 th century, is clearly to be seen. One of the
most striking specimens of the first sort is No. 31, which is of splendid German workmanship and has a silver
scabbard. No. 32 is an exceptional piece, the grip being cast in one piece of brass; grip and scabbard are
by the same master.
The following daggers are German daggers of the 16 th and 17 th century, all of them very interesting
specimens; No. 36 perhaps the most remarkable of them. The same applies to the fencing and left-hand
daggers, which are of beautifully chiselled steel. The Italian lady’s dagger No. 49 is also very remarkable
and a similar one is to be seen in the Louvre, Paris.
The swords of the 15th century are also represented by some well preserved and rare specimens;
Nos. 53 and 54 are extremely rare pieces and beautiful examples of Italian workmanship. There is a great
number of bastard swords dating from the beginning of the 15 th century down to the i6lh century, the
works of German, Italian and Spanish swordmakers; Nos. 57, 58, 61 are of great interest, Nos. 62
and 64 represent the most excellent type of war swords. No. 75 is a fine state sword with silvergilt
scabbard, dating from 1540. This collection is concluded with two German bastard swords and two Italian
twohanded swords. Now come some lansquenet-swords, Nos. 80—84, very fine specimens of their kind,
and No. 85, a Nuremberg broad sword from 1552, probably one of the best preserved specimens. The collec-
tion of court swords begins with No. 86. It is impossible to describe each of these choice pieces separately.
Most of the hilts are richly decorated in various ways, the blades of best German, Spanish and Italian work-
manship. The whole collection up to No. 123 gives a striking picture of the development of this kind of arms
through three centuries. The last numbers are a small collection of sword and dagger pommels of different
periods and another of fancy dagger scabbards from the beginning of the 16 th century. One unique piece
may be still mentioned, No. 107, a falchion, with richly carved grip in boxwood, a real masterpiece.
Owing to the great importance of the Dreger collection of swords, some of the most interesting pieces
had to be pointed out specially. Their sale by auction may be considered a great event in the international
market of antique arms.
Dr. E. A. GESSLER,
Curator of the Arms Department
of the Swiss National Museum.
4
in accordance with his book mentioned above; the undersigned had but very few alterations to make. For
objects not illustrated in this catalogue, detail sketches, larger pictures, marks, measures, etc., please refer
to Mr. Dreger’s book on arms.
Lastly a few remarks may be permitted. All the arms in this collection are in an excellent state of preser-
vation, and pieces damaged in any way have not been included. This even applies to the prehistoric swords
and daggers, which comprise the numbers 1 —13 and which include some unique pieces. Among the mediaeval
pieces are some rare swords and daggers of the 15 th century, of remarkable shape. Especially beautiful and
unique pieces are: No. 18, the carved grip of which is well worth observing; No. 21, a typical specimen
of Gothic chiselled iron work; and No. 22 with handsomely decorated blade. The Italian arms are represented
by the “Cinquedea”, No. 24—28. Perhaps one of the finest specimens that has come down to our times is
No. 27, a harmonious, magnificent piece of work; according to the coat of arms it belonged to the famous
Gian Giacomo Trivulzio in 1510. Besides the typical lansquenet-daggers some Swiss daggers are also to be
found. These were worn by the higher officers. The difference in shape and workmanship between the two
kinds of daggers, worn by the most famous lansquenets of the 16 th century, is clearly to be seen. One of the
most striking specimens of the first sort is No. 31, which is of splendid German workmanship and has a silver
scabbard. No. 32 is an exceptional piece, the grip being cast in one piece of brass; grip and scabbard are
by the same master.
The following daggers are German daggers of the 16 th and 17 th century, all of them very interesting
specimens; No. 36 perhaps the most remarkable of them. The same applies to the fencing and left-hand
daggers, which are of beautifully chiselled steel. The Italian lady’s dagger No. 49 is also very remarkable
and a similar one is to be seen in the Louvre, Paris.
The swords of the 15th century are also represented by some well preserved and rare specimens;
Nos. 53 and 54 are extremely rare pieces and beautiful examples of Italian workmanship. There is a great
number of bastard swords dating from the beginning of the 15 th century down to the i6lh century, the
works of German, Italian and Spanish swordmakers; Nos. 57, 58, 61 are of great interest, Nos. 62
and 64 represent the most excellent type of war swords. No. 75 is a fine state sword with silvergilt
scabbard, dating from 1540. This collection is concluded with two German bastard swords and two Italian
twohanded swords. Now come some lansquenet-swords, Nos. 80—84, very fine specimens of their kind,
and No. 85, a Nuremberg broad sword from 1552, probably one of the best preserved specimens. The collec-
tion of court swords begins with No. 86. It is impossible to describe each of these choice pieces separately.
Most of the hilts are richly decorated in various ways, the blades of best German, Spanish and Italian work-
manship. The whole collection up to No. 123 gives a striking picture of the development of this kind of arms
through three centuries. The last numbers are a small collection of sword and dagger pommels of different
periods and another of fancy dagger scabbards from the beginning of the 16 th century. One unique piece
may be still mentioned, No. 107, a falchion, with richly carved grip in boxwood, a real masterpiece.
Owing to the great importance of the Dreger collection of swords, some of the most interesting pieces
had to be pointed out specially. Their sale by auction may be considered a great event in the international
market of antique arms.
Dr. E. A. GESSLER,
Curator of the Arms Department
of the Swiss National Museum.
4
