Schweizersäbel

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The Schweizersäbel or Swiss Saber is a type of sword design that was popular between the 15th and 17th centuries in Switzerland and Germany. A predecessor of the saber, this sword sported a long blade with a gentle curve, tapering evenly to the tip. Some accounts seem to indicate that occasionally the 'back' of the blade was edged as well. With a grip that could accommodate two hands, this blade seems to have been derived from the earlier großes Messer. The hilts came in a variety of designs, with recurved quillions and/or rings and knuckle guards. A modern reproduction sports a total length of some 41" (32" of which is blade) making it slightly shorter than a traditional bastard-sword, but still large for a one handed sword.