The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 25, 2024

Hunting Sword

Hunting Sword

c. 1780
(blade: Germany?)
steel, blued, etched, and gilded; silver and wood
Overall: 72.1 cm (28 3/8 in.); Blade: 56.5 cm (22 1/4 in.); Grip: 14 cm (5 1/2 in.); Guard: 7.3 cm (2 7/8 in.)
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance 1916.1492.a
Location: 210A Armor Court

Did You Know?

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.
  • Frank Gair Macomber; Boston; cat. #236.
  • Catalogue of Arms and Armour. Vol. 4, 17th to 19th century and a few pieces of iron work. [Boston, Massachusetts]: [Frank Gair Macomber], [1900-1915]. Mentioned and Reproduced: No. (236) 259 archive.org
    Gilchrist, Helen Ives. A Catalogue of the Collection of Arms & Armor Presented to the Cleveland Museum of Art by Mr. and Mrs. John Long Severance; 1916-1923. Cleveland: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1924. Mentioned: pp. 133-134, E107 archive.org
  • Armor Court Reinstallation. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer).
    The Cleveland Museum of Art (09/10/1998); "Armor Court Reinstallation"
  • {{cite web|title=Hunting Sword|url=false|author=|year=c. 1780|access-date=25 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1916.1492.a