| Dusack, Tessak, Dussägge | |
|---|---|
 Tessak –Norway, 16th century | |
| Type | Sabre |
| Place of origin | German Lands |
| Production history | |
| Produced | 1560s |
| Variants | Hilt Typology A - H |
| Specifications | |
| Blade length | 25–38 in (640–970 mm) |
| Blade type | curved (occasionally straight) |
| Hilt type | thumb ring, half basket, "Sinclair hilt" |
Adusack ordussack (alsodusägge and variants,[1] from Czechtesák "cleaver;hunting sword", lit. "fang") is a single-edged sword of thecutlass orsabre type, in use as aside arm inGermany and theHabsburg monarchy during the 16th to 17th centuries,[2] as well as apractice weapon based on this weapon used in early modernGerman fencing.[3]
The Czech term entered German usage in theHussite Wars, after thesidearm used by theHussites. In the late 16th century,Dusägge could refer to a type of weapon combining asabre blade with the hilt of asidesword (the GermanDegen), also known asSäbel auf Teutsch gefasst ("sabre fitted in the German manner"). TheDusägge in this sense was used as a military sidearm; e.g. in 1579,Styria records delivery of some 700Dusäggen by local bladesmiths, besides payment of 40Dusäggen delivered fromPassau, as part of the preparation for thewar against the Turks underArchduke Charles II.[4]
The German sabre together with the nametessak was adopted in Norway. A closely related weapon is theschnepf orSwiss sabre used inEarly Modern Switzerland.[5]
Joachim Meyer in 1570 depicts theDusäck as the practice weapon with broad, curving blade and a simple oval grip. The dussack represented a short, single-edged weapon in a training environment. 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.[3]
Practice dussacks had a short, thick, single-edged blade measuring between 25–38 in (640–970 mm) long. A dussack was usually made of wood. Additionally there is a single reference to dussacks also being made from leather, and there are a small number of simple metaldussacken 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 apommel or upperguard, it looked something like a large hole for gripping scissors.[6]
Egerton Castle claimed that dussacks were used by the French Navy up through the 19th century.[7]
No wooden (or leather) practice dussacks are known to have survived; unsurprising given the perishable nature of these dussacks, and only woodcuts and training manuals from the period document their existence.