South German military sword

This early 17th century military sword was once a weapon used by those who served in Munich's Town Guard. It has a blued-steel, swept hand guard that covers the lower part of the hilt and comes over onto the ricasso - an area often 'pinched' by the wielder for extra control -offering protection for the unarmoured hand.   The sturdy hollow-ground blade is marked with the letters S/T crowned, which was the mark of Munich bladesmith Wolfgang Stantler.