European Edged Weapons Collection
May 2026
These objects are all European swords, daggers, and bladed weapons from the medieval and early modern periods, showcasing the arms and armor traditions across the continent.
336 objects · 4 institutions
"Eared" Spear
Art Institute of Chicago
1500/1600
"Eared" Spear
Art Institute of Chicago
10th/11th century, possibly 13th/14th century
Ahlspiess
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1500
Anvil
Art Institute of Chicago
18th century
Anvil and vise
Metropolitan Museum of Art
18th century
Arming Sword
Art Institute of Chicago
Ballock Dagger
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1500
Ballock Dagger
Art Institute of Chicago
early 17th century
Ballock Dagger
Art Institute of Chicago
1450/1500
Ballock Dagger
Art Institute of Chicago
Ballock Dagger
Art Institute of Chicago
Ballock Dagger
Art Institute of Chicago
Baselard
Art Institute of Chicago
15th century
Basket-Hilt Broadsword
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1740
Basket-Hilt Broadsword ("Mortuary Sword")
Cleveland Museum of Art
hilt: c. 1640–50; blade: 1700s
Basket-Hilted Broadsword
Cleveland Museum of Art
Hilt: c. 1720, Blade: early 1700s
Basket-Hilted Broadsword
Art Institute of Chicago
Basket-Hilted Broadsword
Art Institute of Chicago
Basket-Hilted Broadsword (Schiavona)
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1700
Basket-Hilted Broadsword (Schiavona)
Art Institute of Chicago
Basket-Hilted Broadsword with Scabbard (Claymore)
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1750
Battle Axe
Cleveland Museum of Art
late 1500s
Battle Axe
Cleveland Museum of Art
1400s
Berdysh
Art Institute of Chicago
Bickom (Anvil)
Art Institute of Chicago
17th/18th century (?)
Bickom (Anvil)
Art Institute of Chicago
15th century (?)
Bill
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1500
Bill (Ronca)
Art Institute of Chicago
16th century
Boar Spear
Art Institute of Chicago
1575/1600
Boar Spear
Metropolitan Museum of Art
ca. 1600
Boar Sword
Art Institute of Chicago
1650/60
Brandistock
Art Institute of Chicago
1580
Brandistock (with retractible blades)
Cleveland Museum of Art
Bridle Cutter Pike
Art Institute of Chicago
18th century
Broadsword
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1560/1600
Carbine Hanger
Cleveland Museum of Art
1600s
Cavalry Broadsword
Art Institute of Chicago
Cavalry Lance
Art Institute of Chicago
1700/1800
Cavalry Officer's Saber with Scabbard
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1860/65
Cavalry Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1700–30
Cavalry Sword with Calendar Blade
Art Institute of Chicago
mid–17th century
Ceremonial Arrowhead
Art Institute of Chicago
1500/1600
Ceremonial Glaive
Art Institute of Chicago
1575
Ceremonial Glaive
Art Institute of Chicago
1600
Child's Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
c 1780
Child's Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
c 1780
Cinquedea
Art Institute of Chicago
Cinquedea
Art Institute of Chicago
About 1500
Cinquedea
Art Institute of Chicago
About 1500
Clasp Knife
Metropolitan Museum of Art
18th century
Combination Hunting Dagger and Double-Barrel Percussion Pistol, Sheath, and Belt of Emperor Maximilian of Mexico
Art Institute of Chicago
1864/67
Combined Brandistock and Musket Rest
Art Institute of Chicago
17th century
Composite Dagger
Art Institute of Chicago
Grip (formally a mirror handle): Turkish, 16th century Crossguard: Turkish, 19th century Blade: European, probablly Spanish, late 16th–early 17th century
Composite Rapier for a Boy
Art Institute of Chicago
Hilt: c. 1590/1600 Blade: 1600/1700 Pommel: c. 1700
Composite Smallsword and Scabbard
Art Institute of Chicago
Hilt: c. 1650/60; blade: 1750/60
Composite Sword
Art Institute of Chicago
dated 1538 [at a later date]
Corsesca
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1540
Corsèque
Cleveland Museum of Art
Corsèque (Chauve-Souris)
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1530
Court Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
late 1700s
Court Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
Cup from a Rapier's Hilt
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1650–75
Cup-Hilted Rapier
Cleveland Museum of Art
c.1610–30
Cup-Hilted Rapier
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1650/60
Cup-Hilted Rapier
Art Institute of Chicago
1670/90
Cup-Hilted Rapier
Art Institute of Chicago
1660/70
Cup-Hilted Rapier
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1650
Cup-Hilted Rapier
Art Institute of Chicago
About 1650
Cup-Hilted Rapier
Art Institute of Chicago
Dagger
Cleveland Museum of Art
late 1600s
Dagger
Cleveland Museum of Art
mid 1500s
Dagger
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1620–50
Dagger
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1550–1600
Dagger
Art Institute of Chicago
19th century in the 15th century style
Dagger
Cleveland Museum of Art
early 1600s
Dagger
Cleveland Museum of Art
1600s (1500s blade)
Dagger
Cleveland Museum of Art
Dagger Sheath with a Landsknecht
Art Institute of Chicago
1568/70
Dagger Sheath with a Warrior
Art Institute of Chicago
1528
Dagger Sheath with a Young Couple Above
Art Institute of Chicago
1532
Dagger and Sheath
Art Institute of Chicago
Scabbard: third quarter of 16th century; dagger: 19th century in 16th century style
Dagger with Scabbard
Art Institute of Chicago
18th/19th century
Dagger with Sheath
Art Institute of Chicago
Dagger with Two Awls and Sheath for the Bodyguard of the Elector of Saxony
Art Institute of Chicago
1580
Dagger with Wheel-Lock Pistol
Art Institute of Chicago
Design for Dagger Sheath
Cleveland Museum of Art
mid-1600s
Design for Daggers
Cleveland Museum of Art
1644
Dirk
Art Institute of Chicago
17th century (?)
Dress Sword
Art Institute of Chicago
Estoc
Cleveland Museum of Art
early 1500s
Executioner's Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
late 1600s
Executioner's Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
Falchion
Cleveland Museum of Art
blade: 1700s
Fighting Axe
Art Institute of Chicago
18th century
Foot Soldier's Axe
Art Institute of Chicago
Friuli Spear
Art Institute of Chicago
1480
Friuli Spear
Art Institute of Chicago
1540/60
Friuli Spear
Art Institute of Chicago
1540/60
Friuli Spear
Art Institute of Chicago
late 16th century
Glaive
Cleveland Museum of Art
1400s
Glaive
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1600
Glaive
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1600–20
Glaive
Art Institute of Chicago
16th century; haft and tassel 18/19th century
Glaive (with Arms of Giustini Family)
Cleveland Museum of Art
Glaive for the Civic Guard of Rome
Art Institute of Chicago
1600
Glaive-Halberd
Art Institute of Chicago
1650
Gründtliche Beschreibung der freyen ritterlichen unnd adelichen Kunst des Fechtens in allerley gebreuchlichen Wehren mit vil schönen und nützlichen Figuren gezieret und fürgestellet (A Thorough Description of the Free Knightly and Noble Art of Fencing, in All the Typical Guards, Adorned and Arranged with Many Beautiful and Useful Figures)
Metropolitan Museum of Art
dated 1570
Gunner's Stiletto
Art Institute of Chicago
17th century
Halberd
Art Institute of Chicago
1663-81
Halberd
Art Institute of Chicago
1540/60
Halberd
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1500
Halberd
Art Institute of Chicago
1575
Halberd
Art Institute of Chicago
1590/1600
Halberd
Art Institute of Chicago
1500/40
Halberd
Art Institute of Chicago
1540/60
Halberd
Art Institute of Chicago
1500/1600
Halberd
Art Institute of Chicago
1500/1600
Halberd
Art Institute of Chicago
1592
Halberd
Art Institute of Chicago
1600-25
Halberd
Art Institute of Chicago
Halberd
Art Institute of Chicago
1500-50
Halberd
Art Institute of Chicago
Halberd
Art Institute of Chicago
1575
Halberd
Art Institute of Chicago
Halberd
Art Institute of Chicago
1525/50
Halberd
Art Institute of Chicago
Halberd
Art Institute of Chicago
Halberd
Art Institute of Chicago
Halberd
Art Institute of Chicago
Hand-and-a-Half Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1550
Hand-and-a-Half Sword
Art Institute of Chicago
Hilt: 19th century in mid–16th century Swiss style Blade: mid–16th century
Hand-and-a-Half Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1500
Hand-and-a-Half Sword
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1520
Hand-and-a-Half Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
Hanger (Hunting Sword)
Cleveland Museum of Art
late 1600s
Hatchet
Cleveland Museum of Art
7000–1700 BCE
Highland Targe
Art Institute of Chicago
early 18th century
Hilt from a Court Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
Horseman's Axe
Art Institute of Chicago
early 16th century
Horseman's Axe
Art Institute of Chicago
1500/25
Horseman's Axe
Art Institute of Chicago
1600/1700
Hunting Cleaver (Waidpraxe) of Ernst August II Konstantin, Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
Art Institute of Chicago
1755/58
Hunting Hangar with Calendar Blade
Art Institute of Chicago
blade dated 1534, hilt late 17th century
Hunting Hanger
Art Institute of Chicago
Handle: about 1670 Crossguard and Blade: 18th century
Hunting Hanger with Scabbard
Art Institute of Chicago
1740/60
Hunting Hanger with Scabbard Locket
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1750
Hunting Horn
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1675–1725
Hunting Plug Bayonet with Eating Utensils
Art Institute of Chicago
1800/1900
Hunting Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1780
Hunting Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1760–70
Hunting Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1700
Hunting Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1630
Hunting Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
1778–79
Hunting Sword combined with Flintlock Pistol
Art Institute of Chicago
1725
Hunting Sword with Scabbard, Knife, and Fork
Metropolitan Museum of Art
blade dated 1656
Hunting Trousse (Waidpraxe) with the Coat of Arms and Initials of Christian II, Elector of Saxony
Art Institute of Chicago
Hunting horn
Rijksmuseum
c. 1000 - c. 1099
Infantry Pike
Art Institute of Chicago
19th century in 17th century style
Javelin
Art Institute of Chicago
1600
Katzbalger (Infantry Sword)
Art Institute of Chicago
1500/15
Knife
Cleveland Museum of Art
1700s
Knife
Art Institute of Chicago
19th century
Knife
Art Institute of Chicago
17th century
Knife and Fork
Art Institute of Chicago
19th century
Knife, Fork and Spoon with Cap of a Trousse-Sheath
Art Institute of Chicago
late 17th century(?)
Korseke
Metropolitan Museum of Art
ca. 1520
Lance Point
Metropolitan Museum of Art
15th century
Lance for Joust or Quintain Course
Art Institute of Chicago
1710-20
Lance for the Carousel (Running at the Ring)
Art Institute of Chicago
1700-50
Lance for the Carousel (Running at the Ring)
Art Institute of Chicago
1700-1750
Lance for the Carousel (Running at the Ring)
Art Institute of Chicago
Landsknecht Dagger with Scabbard
Art Institute of Chicago
Scabbard: c. 1550/60; dagger: 19th century in 16th century style
Langebeve
Art Institute of Chicago
Left-Handed Dagger or "Main Gauche"
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1650
Linstock
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1600–25
Lucerne Hammer
Art Institute of Chicago
Military Fork
Art Institute of Chicago
1550/1600
Military Fork
Art Institute of Chicago
1600/1700
Military Fork
Art Institute of Chicago
Military Smallsword and Scabbard of a Member of the British Royal Family
Art Institute of Chicago
1787/91
Military Trident
Art Institute of Chicago
1530
Miner's Processional Axe
Art Institute of Chicago
1675
Miniature Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
500–450 BCE
Mordaxt
Art Institute of Chicago
1600-30
Mordaxt
Art Institute of Chicago
1480-1500
Morgenstern
Art Institute of Chicago
1600-75
Narwhal Tusk
Art Institute of Chicago
16th/17th century (?)
Officer's Plug Bayonette
Cleveland Museum of Art
Parade Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1500–1525
Parrying Dagger
Art Institute of Chicago
1650
Parrying Dagger
Art Institute of Chicago
late 17th century
Parrying Dagger
Art Institute of Chicago
1590/1600
Parrying Dagger
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1700
Parrying Dagger
Art Institute of Chicago
1650/60
Parrying Dagger
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1580–1610
Parrying Dagger
Art Institute of Chicago
1625/60
Parrying Dagger
Cleveland Museum of Art
Parrying Dagger
Art Institute of Chicago
Parrying Dagger for Pietro Antonio Martinengo, Count of Brescia (recorded 1644-1671)
Art Institute of Chicago
1650/75
Parrying Dagger with Scabbard
Art Institute of Chicago
About 1600
Parrying Dagger with Scabbard
Art Institute of Chicago
Parrying Gauntlet
Art Institute of Chicago
1550/1575
Parrying Poniard
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1620/30
Partizan
Art Institute of Chicago
Pillow Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
Plug Bayonet
Art Institute of Chicago
1686
Poleax
Art Institute of Chicago
c.1470—c.1520
Poleaxe
Art Institute of Chicago
1500
Poleaxe
Art Institute of Chicago
1500/10
Poleaxe
Art Institute of Chicago
Poleaxe
Art Institute of Chicago
Pollaxe
Metropolitan Museum of Art
ca. 1450
Pommel and Grip of Dress Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
1600s
Pommel of Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
1600s
Processional Axe
Art Institute of Chicago
19th century (?) in 16th century style
Quillon Dagger
Art Institute of Chicago
third quarter of 17th century
Quiver in Mideastern Manner with Associated Arrows
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1800
Rapier
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1580–1610
Rapier
Art Institute of Chicago
Blade: dated 1616 Hilt: early 20th century in 1570's style
Rapier
Art Institute of Chicago
1630-40
Rapier
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1630
Rapier
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1630–50
Rapier
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1650
Rapier
Art Institute of Chicago
1590/1600
Rapier
Metropolitan Museum of Art
ca. 1620
Rapier
Cleveland Museum of Art
c.1625–50
Rapier
Art Institute of Chicago
1640/60
Rapier
Art Institute of Chicago
1610-20
Rapier
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1600
Rapier
Metropolitan Museum of Art
ca. 1600–1620
Rapier
Art Institute of Chicago
1610/30
Rapier
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1620–30
Rapier
Art Institute of Chicago
Hilt: 19th century in the style of c. 1600 Blade: c. 1600
Rapier
Cleveland Museum of Art
Rapier
Art Institute of Chicago
Rapier
Art Institute of Chicago
Rapier
Cleveland Museum of Art
Rapier
Art Institute of Chicago
Rapier
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1610
Rapier
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1630
Rapier Combined with two Wheel-Lock Pistols
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1600
Rapier and Scabbard
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1630
Rapier of the Guard of the Duke-Electors of Saxony
Art Institute of Chicago
1590/1600
Rapier with Extendable Handle
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1590/1600
Riding Sword
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1580–1600
Rondel Dagger
Art Institute of Chicago
19th century in early 15th century style
Roundel Dagger and Scabbard
Art Institute of Chicago
1500-20
Saber (Kiliç) with Scabbard
Art Institute of Chicago
late 19th century Blade inscribed 1099 Hejira [A.D. 1687]
Sabre (Kriegsmesser)
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1530/50
Scarf Sword
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1660
Schiavona Broadsword
Cleveland Museum of Art
1700s
Schiavona Broadsword
Cleveland Museum of Art
early 1700s
Schiavona Broadsword
Cleveland Museum of Art
Sheath Tip
Cleveland Museum of Art
1600s
Single-Edged Knife (Scramasax)
Cleveland Museum of Art
600s
Single-Edged Knife (Scramasax)
Cleveland Museum of Art
600s
Single-Edged Knife (Scramasax)
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 500–700
Small Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1730
Small Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1650
Small Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1650–70
Small Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
Small Sword with Masks and Figures
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1660–80
Smallsword
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1770
Smallsword
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1760
Smallsword
Art Institute of Chicago
1770/80
Smallsword
Art Institute of Chicago
1740/50
Smallsword
Art Institute of Chicago
Crossguard and Pommel: c. 1650 Blade: early 18th century Grip: c. 1550
Smallsword
Art Institute of Chicago
1670/80
Smallsword
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1650/60
Smallsword Carrier
Art Institute of Chicago
1770/1800
Smallsword and Scabbard
Art Institute of Chicago
1744/45
Smallsword and Scabbard
Art Institute of Chicago
Smallsword with Portraits of Monarchs from the Bourbon Dynasty
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1770/80
Smallsword with Scabbard
Metropolitan Museum of Art
hallmarked for 1785–86
Spear
Art Institute of Chicago
1790
Spearhead
Metropolitan Museum of Art
ca. 800–1000
Spring Attachment for Rapier
Art Institute of Chicago
1650/1700
Spring Tackle Attachment for Rapier
Art Institute of Chicago
State Halberd
Art Institute of Chicago
1609
State Partizan of an Officer of the Saxon "Hundred Swiss Guards"
Art Institute of Chicago
1725/1814
Stiletto
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1650
Stiletto with Grip Fashioned as Figures of Charity, Justice, and Hope
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1650
Swiss Dagger with Scabbard
Art Institute of Chicago
1556
Sword
Metropolitan Museum of Art
possibly ca. 1500
Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
c. 1350
Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
1400s
Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
1400s
Sword
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1500
Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
c.1550
Sword
Art Institute of Chicago
Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
Sword
Art Institute of Chicago
early 15th century
Sword (Laughing Head in Grotesque Hat for Hilt)
Cleveland Museum of Art
1600s
Sword (Pappenheimer Rapier)
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1630
Sword Hanger
Art Institute of Chicago
17th century
Sword Pommel
Art Institute of Chicago
late 16th century
Sword Pommel
Art Institute of Chicago
early 17th century
Sword Pommel
Art Institute of Chicago
16th/17th century
Sword Pommel
Art Institute of Chicago
late 16th century
Sword Pommel
Art Institute of Chicago
19th century in early 17th century style, possibly 17th century
Sword Pommel
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1600
Sword Pommel
Art Institute of Chicago
early 17th century
Sword Pommel
Art Institute of Chicago
early 17th century
Sword Pommel
Art Institute of Chicago
early 17th century
Sword Pommel
Art Institute of Chicago
early 17th century
Sword Pommel
Art Institute of Chicago
Sword Pommel
Art Institute of Chicago
early 17th century
Sword Pommel
Art Institute of Chicago
Sword Pommel
Art Institute of Chicago
Sword Pommel of Falchion or Saber
Art Institute of Chicago
1625/50
Sword from the Armory of Schloss Ambras, Innsbruck
Art Institute of Chicago
1570/90
Sword of Justice
Art Institute of Chicago
late 17th century
Sword of Service and Scabbard
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1810
Sword of Winthrop Sargent (1753-1820), First Governor of Northwest Territories
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1800/10
The So-called Horn of Saint Blaise
Cleveland Museum of Art
1100–1200
Thrusting Sword (Estoc)
Art Institute of Chicago
c.1520—c.1540
Thrusting Sword (Estoc)
Art Institute of Chicago
c.1525—c.1540
Thrusting Sword (Estoc)
Art Institute of Chicago
1390/1400
Tourney Lance
Cleveland Museum of Art
probably late 1800s (in 16th century style)
Transitional Rapier
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1660
Two Awls
Art Institute of Chicago
late 16th century
Two-Handed Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
1550–1600
Two-Handed Sword
Metropolitan Museum of Art
ca. 1400–1450
Two-Handed Sword
Art Institute of Chicago
c. 1600
Two-Handed Sword
Art Institute of Chicago
1580-1600
Two-Handed Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
1550–1600
Two-Handed Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
1550–1600
Two-Handed Sword
Art Institute of Chicago
mid–16th century
Two-Handed Sword
Cleveland Museum of Art
Two-Handed Sword for the Bodyguard of Julius, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Prince of Wolfenbüttel
Art Institute of Chicago
1573
Two-Handed Sword of the State Guard of Julius of Brunswick-Lunüneburg
Cleveland Museum of Art
1574
Two-Handed Sword with Flamboyant Blade
Cleveland Museum of Art
1550–1600
Two-Handed Sword with Scabbard
Art Institute of Chicago
1580-1600
Walking Staff with Sword Hilt
Art Institute of Chicago
1663
Walking Staff- Javelin
Art Institute of Chicago
1590/1610
War Hammer
Art Institute of Chicago
early 17th century