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Also
referred to as the Flamberg or Flammberg. The name derives in
part from the old German geflammten, or flaming and from
the French flamboyant. The flamberge is a form of the two-handed
sword popular in Germany between the 15th and 17th
centuries, especially among the Swiss mercenaries, the Landsknecht.
The purpose of the wavy, flame-like blade is not clear as
there is no demonstrated advantage to such an edge against armored
or unarmored opponents. Often, the flamberge was used
as a processional or court weapon; an undulating blade was undoubtedly
more attractive than a plain blade in these cases. In
any event, the flamberge was still a formidable weapon.
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