This morbid piece of art is a German executioner's sword from the late 17th to early 18th century, near the end of the use of swords for beheading. Executioner's held an interesting place in European society throughout the medieval ages and through the renaissance, in part being societal pariahs, while also being highly respected for their grim work. Both sides of the blade are lightly engraved, one with the image of a breaking wheel and a Latin inscription loosely translated to "The departure of the divine does not remain unsaid" and the other with a gallows and a Latin inscription loosely translated to "Let the world seek justice". It measures 40 inches overall with a 32 3/8 inch blade that is blunted/squared at the tip, typical of this type of sword that was only intended to ever make decisive cuts. It weighs approximately 3.7 lbs. (1.68 kg). The gilt brass guard is of a simple cross type. The grip is tightly leather wrapped and lightly fluted. The "scent stopper" pommel is also of gilt brass, and has a small button finial with visibly peened tang.

Very fine, the blade mostly bright with some very light spotting throughout and mostly crisp engraving. The brass shows an attractively aged patina overall with some faint traces of the gilt finish. The grip is also very fine with tight leather wrapping that shows light wear.