Dussack
Encyclopedia
A Dussack is a type of short, single-edged sword from Central and Eastern Europe (originated in Bohemia in 300 AD).
The word dussack was adopted about the 16th century
by the Germans
to refer to a practice weapon
of similar design. This dussack was intended to represent various short, single-edged weapons in a training environment. Using a dussack, one could train for the falchion
, or cutlass
, Hiebmesser or großes Messer (which translates to English as "big knife"). As usage of the dussack became more widespread, various schools turned use of the dussack into a sport as opposed to training for a real weapon.
Practice dussacks had a short, thick, single-edged blade measuring between 25 and 38 inches (65 and 95 cm) long. A dussack was usually made of wood. Additionally there is a single reference to dussacks also being made from leather, and at least one metal dussack is known to survive. The dussack was gently curved and brought to a point at the tip. The dussack often lacked a hilt. Instead, the handgrip was merely a hole cut inside of the blade; without a pommel or upper guard, it looked something like a large hole for gripping scissors.
No wooden (or leather) practice dussacks are known to have survived; unsurprising given the perishable nature of the dussack, and only woodcuts and training manuals from the period document their existence.
The word dussack was adopted about the 16th century
16th century
As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century lasted from 1501 to 1600. It is regarded by historians as the century in which the rise of the West occurred....
by the Germans
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
to refer to a practice weapon
Waster
A waster is a practice weapon, usually a sword, and usually made out of wood, though nylon wasters are also available. The use of wood or nylon instead of metal provides an economic and safe option for initial weapons training and sparring, at some loss of genuine experience...
of similar design. This dussack was intended to represent various short, single-edged weapons in a training environment. Using a dussack, one could train for the falchion
Falchion
A falchion is a one-handed, single-edged sword of European origin, whose design is reminiscent of the Persian scimitar and the Chinese dao....
, or cutlass
Cutlass
A cutlass is a short, broad sabre or slashing sword, with a straight or slightly curved blade sharpened on the cutting edge, and a hilt often featuring a solid cupped or basket shaped guard...
, Hiebmesser or großes Messer (which translates to English as "big knife"). As usage of the dussack became more widespread, various schools turned use of the dussack into a sport as opposed to training for a real weapon.
Practice dussacks had a short, thick, single-edged blade measuring between 25 and 38 inches (65 and 95 cm) long. A dussack was usually made of wood. Additionally there is a single reference to dussacks also being made from leather, and at least one metal dussack is known to survive. The dussack was gently curved and brought to a point at the tip. The dussack often lacked a hilt. Instead, the handgrip was merely a hole cut inside of the blade; without a pommel or upper guard, it looked something like a large hole for gripping scissors.
No wooden (or leather) practice dussacks are known to have survived; unsurprising given the perishable nature of the dussack, and only woodcuts and training manuals from the period document their existence.