Ca. 13th-14th century AD. An iron flail with chain, a weapon of unparalleled ferocity and power. This deadly instrument, crafted with a masterful hand, features a distinctive cone-shaped shaft, designed to be placed atop a wooden pole. At the end of a short chain, composed of elongated loops, rests a slightly flattened ball with a central recess, poised to strike with deadly accuracy. While this weapon was primarily used for its devastating effectiveness in battle, it is interesting to note that its origins lie in an entirely different realm - that of agriculture. The flail, a tool used to thresh grains by striking them against a hard surface, served as the inspiration for the fearsome weapon we see before us today. As farming communities began to feel the pressure of raiding parties and marauding armies, the flail was transformed into a formidable instrument of war, its design tweaked and perfected to maximize its destructive potential.Size: L:340mm / W:60mm ; 565gProvenance: Property of a European collector; ex. German collection formed between 1990-2010.