Germany'Broadsword' from Germany, Europe. Part of the Pitt Rivers Museum Founding Collection. Given to the Museum in 1884.

Straight double-edged swords of the medieval period are sometimes known as 'broadswords'. However, this is something of a Victorian generalisation. This 15th or 16th century German weapon was actually known as a 'hand-and-a-half' (or 'bastard') sword. It was light enough to use with one hand but had a long enough hilt for two-handed action. Here, the blade is decorated with an engraved male figure and stamped rosettes.