Cleveland Museum of Art

Hunting Sword

Date

c. 1780

Medium

steel, blued, etched, and gilded; silver and wood

Culture

France (blade: Germany?), 18th century

Department

Medieval Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This custom-made German hunting sword, displayed with its original scabbard, was used at the end of a hunt in order to deliver the killing blow. After the game was dispatched, this type of sword was also used to field dress the animal, which must be done as quickly as possible to preserve the usable meat. It could also be used for self-defense against dangerous animals.

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