What is the mass-Messenger and why is it needed?

The history of the appearance of the mass-emissary dates back to the late 14th and early 15th centuries. At this time, the German principalities actively fought each other, using both their own squads and mercenaries. And if noble warriors had the opportunity to use better weapons, then simple fighters needed something simple, cheap and effective. Such a weapon became the Gross-Messer - in translation from the German "big knife".

What is this sword?

Despite its modesty, the "big knife" is a full-fledged one-handed blade weapon. What does it consist of:

1. Handle. Almost always made of wood. Depending on the personal tastes of the owner, it was polished and covered with skin. The length of the handle was 30-35 centimeters (depending on the size of the blade) and ended with a pommel. The handle held the blade in the easiest way - the "tail" was clamped between the two halves of the handle and was finally fixed by the hilt.
2. Hilt. Most often had the simplest form, without any ornaments. Cross guard and nagel (protrusion from the side of the "strong" arm, to protect the hands).
3. Blade. Gross-Messer possessed a slightly curved in the upper third blade length of 65-80 centimeters. The ending was cut, forming the point of the sword.

How and by whom was this weapon used?

For most warriors of simple origin, the main weapon was to meet several criteria: to be cheap, effective, easy to repair and preferably multifunctional. Gross-Messer met all these requirements - he was significantly cheaper than other swords, perfectly suited for foot logging, did not have complex elements in the design.

Special love this sword earned from lannsknechtov - German hired soldiers. The units of the "dogs of war" were most often pedestrian, and you can not drag many of them. What was good about the mass-Messer for an ordinary mercenary? In addition to the basic, combat function, it could be used for cutting branches, harvesting meat and many other daily activities. Thanks to him, he did not have to carry an ax and a butcher's knife.

Fencing with a "big knife"

Despite the apparent simplicity of this weapon, they not only primitively slashed the spur. Many fencing schools taught the master of the mass-Messer, and this says a lot. All the technique of fencing with this sword can be divided into chopping, cutting strokes and injections.

Of course, the main emphasis was on the felling - a heavy blade shifted the accents precisely in the direction of "power" work. Cuts were used in close-range conditions, when it was extremely difficult to swing. The injections are the most difficult element, they were used to hit vulnerable points - armpits, necks, faces.

What happened to this sword?

Despite all the usefulness and cheapness that the Grand Messer possessed, the Commoner's sword lost to other swords in its fighting qualities - it was too heavy for a one-handed sword and often broke (connecting a blade and a hilt). Therefore, in the 16th century, the "big knife" was replaced by a cleaver (or, as it is sometimes called, dussak). This sword did not have a hilt, but only a blade - in its first third a hole was made for grasping. Even cheaper and more reliable, he for many years occupied a niche of budgetary one-handed blade weapons.

Gross-Messer received his second life in the twentieth century, with the efforts of blacksmiths and fencer reenactors. And again, it captivates its multifunctionality and plainness - it's easy to manufacture, it can be used both for training sparring, and for cutting objects.

Where can I see what the Gross Messer looks like? You see the photo of the sword in this article - it is really simple and beautiful.