LUCERNE HAMMER Switzerland, 1st half of the 17th century. Sergeant.

Forged iron. Square spike transitioning into a square base. The hammer part ends in a slightly curved square beak. Hammer with four square tips. Parrying spikes on both sides of the center piece. Four langets. Wooden shaft (replaced). The base of the spike marked L.
L 240 cm.

Signs of corrosion. Shaft langets probably shortened.

The term "Lucerne hammer" was coined by the Lucerne art and weapons collector J. Meyer-Bielmann ca. 1860 and first published by A. Demmin in his "Guide des Amateurs d'Armes..." first published in 1869. In the Lucerne inventories, the "Lucerne hammer" is listed as a "murder axe" since the end of the 16th century. This type of weapon was produced until the end of the 17th century and used until the 18th century.