A special variety of basket-hilt Schläger
Manschette-fencing targeted only the wrist and lower arm…
I have to admit that I base my assessment of this Schläger as one dedicated for Manschett-fencing on the vague memory of a photocopy from an illustration in Fehn’s manual. While I understand that a variety of cutting weapons have been used for this specialized subset of the Deutsches Hiebfechten, this specimen (one of a pair in my collection) seems particularly well suited for the purpose. The bars of the basket are spreading forward rather than closing around the fist, requiring a stronger angulation of the opponent’s blade for the cut to connect to the cuff (Manschette). There is no Terzbügel (tierce quillon), indication that the weapon was used predominantly from a steep ward rather han a hanging guard.
