page_title: Messer (weapon)
section_title: Pommel
hierarchical_section_title: Messer (weapon) / Pommel
context_page_description: A messer is a single-edged sword with a knife-like hilt construction. While the various names are often used synonymously, messers are divided into two types:
  Lange Messer are one-handed swords used by Bourgeoisie for personal self-defence. They were about a meter long and may have evolved from the Bauernwehr. They are also known as Großes Messer.
  Kriegsmesser are curved weapons up to 1.5m long, used with one or two hands, and normally wielded by professional warriors of the 14th to 16th century, such as the Landsknecht.
context_section_description: Messer do not necessarily have pommels. Sometimes they may have end caps instead. However, messer with pommels generally are of the type that were 'drawn out' or curved to one side of the hilt (edge side), a feature known as a "hat-shaped pommel".
caption: Fighting with a Messer and a "Hungarian shield" (Gladiatoria Fechtbuch fol. 55r, mid 15th century)
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