Condottiere I think TAG got it right with the Katzbalgers. If you look at the images from that post not a single Landsknecht is carrying one. They all have swords with S shaped guards but not the classic Katzbalger. I would guess the style of these S shaped guards quickly changed to the more figure of 8 style guard within a few years.
In 1500 the style seems to look like this:
I agree that the TAG figures do lack slashing, that being said many of the images from the turn of the century do show Landsknecht in more pedestrian doublet and hose. The dagged breeches seemed popular and TAG picked up on that.
They did miss out on the "octopus" sleeves, it would of been great to see some of them modelled:
Swords with vertical and horizontal s-shaped guards go back as early as the 1300s (
HEMA/BOTN: S hilt guards in the 15th century), but are more than likely Katzbalgers when associated with Landsknechts. It's an s-shaped or figure of eight style guard, not one evolving into the other, though . Unlike the Baselard or Falchion, the Katzbalger wasn't an actual sword, but more than likely a name associated with function -
http://myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?p=218958#218958 from
Katzbalgers.... Looking for info - and this might explain why there are so few surviving genuine examples.
A selection from the images in the MyArmoury thread:
Can't say if this is genuine:
Medieval SWORD KATZBALGER of Mercenary Landsquenet ca 1520 ties ORIGINAL GRIPBased on what I've presented above, I'd say:
Image 1 - definitely a Katzbalger
Image 2 - either a longsword with a Katzbalger hilt or an exaggeratedly sized Katzbalger. The latter more than likely, as the halberd looks way too big.
Image 3 - can't see the guards.
Image 4 - can't tell in that pic, but Dolnsteins sketchbook is filled with longswords and Katzbalger, depending on the way the sword is worn: more than likely a Katzbalger if worn gunslinger style with part of the hilt resting on the crotch - a double entendre according to Skjelver.
The "octopus" sleeves would be difficult to replicate on figures, so I'd suggest adding strips with lead foil or plasticard. The two part hose, a North Italian or Venetian influence, is accurate, but TAG didn't go far enough.