Art Institute of Chicago

Thrusting Sword (Estoc)

German

Date

c.1525—c.1540

Medium

Steel, wood, and leather

Culture

Germany

Department

Applied Arts of Europe

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Stiff-bladed swords or estocs were designed to pierce through the joints or gaps of plate armor. They were often kept on the front of the saddle of a well-equipped man-at-arms and used as an auxiliary weapon in addition to an arming sword, war hammer, or mace. This example has a triple-edged blade that is triangular in cross-section with hollow ground or fluted sides, features that make the blade both ridged and light.

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