Estoc (Thrusting Sword)

Unknown

late 16th century · Steel, shagreen, wood · Arms and Armor

An estoc, also called a tuck or a panzerstecher (literally, armor piercer), is a type of sword carried by armored cavalrymen in the mid-to late sixteenth century, during the peak period when plate body armor was in use. It is characterized by a long, narrow, acutely pointed blade, usually triangular in cross section. This resulted in a very stiff blade, designed to puncture mail or pierce the gaps in plate armor.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 16th century

Medium

Steel, shagreen, wood

Culture

German, Saxony

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Gift of William H. Riggs, 1913