Historical Context
Editorially reviewedThe running wolf became closely associated with Passau blade production from the medieval period onward. Museum records document the mark on surviving swords while also noting later imitation, so attribution should remain tied to the mark’s Passau tradition rather than assuming every wolf-marked blade was made there.
Provenance: Documented on surviving Passau-associated blades; the Metropolitan Museum identifies the running wolf as the guild mark of Passau swordsmiths and notes that it was sometimes copied elsewhere.
Research status: reviewed · reviewed 31/08/2026
Sources
1 referenceSword, Western European (possibly Italian), ca. 1450
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, object 27458. (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)
Supports: Identifies the running wolf as the guild mark of Passau swordsmiths and notes that the mark was sometimes copied.
How to cite this page
Passau Running Wolf Blade Mark. Sanctum Hex Vault. Reviewed 31/08/2026. https://vault.sanctumhex.com/symbols/premodern-european-merchants-and-makers-marks-documented-symbols-of-identity-ownership-and-craft-passau-running-wolf-blade-mark
https://vault.sanctumhex.com/symbols/premodern-european-merchants-and-makers-marks-documented-symbols-of-identity-ownership-and-craft-passau-running-wolf-blade-markMakers Marks
Passau Running Wolf Blade Mark
Running Wolf blade mark associated with the swordsmiths of Passau.
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