Zweihänder

The Zweihänder (German for "two hander") is a massive two-handed sword, designed to capitalize on brute force and shock effect, at the expense of some finesse. Also known as "Bihänder".

While implemented in Germany in the 14th century, it gained renown during the sixteenth century as the hallmark weapon of the Swiss Confederates. It was also employed by german mercenaries of Maximilian I. They were called Landsknechts (serfs to the land).

The zweihänder could be up to 6 feet (1.8 m) long from the base of the handle to the tip of the blade, with a 4 to 5 foot (1.2 to 1.5 m) blade and 1, 1 1/2 foot (300 to 450 mm) hilt. The weight could range between 2.8 and 5 kg.

Most were shorter, though - especially earlier versions had an overall length of about 5 feet (1.5 m), weighing in at as little as 1.5 kg.

Guards could be plain or ornate - while hilts usually ended with heart or pear shaped heavy pommels. When it originally debuted, in the 14th century, the construction was very similar to that of a scaled up longsword.

Occasionally a blunted portion of the forte, the ricasso (often covered with leather) at the base of the blade allowed a hand to be placed above the upper guard to 'shorten the grip' and make the weapon faster. By the 16th century a second smaller upper guard was forged into the blade rather than the hilt, to protect this hand hold.

A cursory glance might lead many into dismissing it as a clumsy, unwieldy piece of equipment - a "terror implement" rather than a real weapon. The largest versions probably were.

While unsuited to close fencing, the shorter versions did see actual combat - and they were best employed against pikemen, to disrupt their thick formations.

Wielding it effectively not only required brawn and stature - but also skill and proper training; soldiers capable of such a feat were usually fielded as shock troops - they earned twice the pay of a common footman and were called "Doppelsöldner".

External links

• Essay by Anthony Shore (Journal of Western Martial Art)