Discussion: The Swiss were strong advocates of staff weapons in Renaissance Europe. The Lucerne hammer was the Swiss two-hand war hammer of the later part of the 16th century and early 17th. By circa 1600, it was referred to as the “murder axe.” The Lucerne hammer is similar to the “foot war hammer” of the 15th century and developed from it; however, it is significantly lighter, and the haft is longer (approximately six feet) and thinner than the earlier footman’s hammer. Usually, the shorter the spike, the earlier its construction. The Swiss armory at Lucerne had an exceptionally large stockpile. In 1860, the Lucerne collector J. Meyer Bielmann adopted the name “Luzernerhammer,” which Auguste Demmin used in 1869 for his book “Guide des Amateurs d’Armes” and it spread among collectors. Lucerne hammers such as this one were made in a production-line approach just like swords. The hammerhead and langets were hand forged by one craftsman. The haft was probably made at another location next to a river with the aid of a water-powered hammer. The hammer was probably assembled by the least talented armorer. The final step was the inspection by a master of the guild to ensure the quality and maintain the reputation of excellence in manufacturing.

Description: The example under discussion is of a very strong and heavy construction. It has a four-pronged head diverging slightly, a smaller/lighter hammerhead, the original haft, and a diamond-shaped terminal spike, with a fluke opposite the four-pronged head.