What is sword messer?

The sword messer, also known as a falchion, is a type of European single-edged sword that was popular during the medieval period. The blade of a messer is typically wider near the tip than at the hilt, giving it a distinctive wedge-like shape. It was used primarily as a slashing weapon, but also had some thrusting capabilities.

The messer was often carried by merchants, civilians, and lower-class soldiers who could not afford the more expensive swords of nobility. It was particularly favored by the Germanic peoples and was used extensively in the Holy Roman Empire during the 14th and 15th centuries.

Although it is considered a sword, the messer has some characteristics more commonly associated with a knife or machete. In fact, the name "messer" comes from the German word for "knife."

Today, the messer is primarily used as a historical weapon for reenactments, although there are some modern interpretations of the sword for use in martial arts and HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) training.