Affects of Mortschlag on Armour

[Corey Roberts]

So it is well known that hand-held anti armour weapons like poleaxes, warhammers etc. can and do have a great ability to penetrate armour, particularly with the back spike on many such weapons. Has anybody ever performed tests of the penetrative capacity of the hilt of a sword when used in a Mortschlag? Is it possible for the cross to penetrate armour? Depictions in Codex Wallerstein show crossguards with attached spikes, so I am wondering if this was an anti-armour add-on to the sword.

[Shane Smith]

So it is well known that hand-held anti armour weapons like poleaxes, warhammers etc. can and do have a great ability to penetrate armour, particularly with the back spike on many such weapons. Has anybody ever performed tests of the penetrative capacity of the hilt of a sword when used in a Mortschlag? Is it possible for the cross to penetrate armour? Depictions in Codex Wallerstein show crossguards with attached spikes, so I am wondering if this was an anti-armour add-on to the sword.

I have done this. We were able to get healthy dents that do ring your bell while you're in the helm, but no penetration of any kind through the plate.