The Schmitthenner family Coat of Arms as shown pre-dates the 16th century and is the original as passed down from Johann Jakob Schmitthenner in 1678.

The family name “Schmitthenner” was derived from the phrase “Heinrich von (der) Schmied” or “Heinrich of the Forge/Smith”. At the time when names were derived from an individual's excellence or notoriety for a particular talent or trade this family was no exception.

A sealed note presented to the Pastor Elisaus Schmitthenner of Nurnberg by the oldest married farmer from the village of Neuwied, corroborated the church registers at Herborn, Germany (which began in 1639) contained the name and Coat of Arms of Johann Jakob Schmitthenner, a Lieutenant in the Military who fell in the siege of Ypres in 1678 during the border disputes between the French and Spanish.

The armoured arm extending from the top of the crown indicates a position of leadership and power and the hammer is prevalent everywhere. The scrollwork draping the shield suggests Bavarian styling, and the white-blue background (not shown here but personally viewed on an original) is also associated with Bavaria, however there is suggestion that the family may have also resided in the Netherlands or even further east for some time. The charge is an armored man holding a shield and a hammer, wearing a plumed helm. This signifies a defender in the craftsman’s trade. The crown atop the helm signifies royalty.   The Latin phrase “Arma Ferre Praestolor” (Bearing Arms We Stand Ready) was inscribed* on the back, suggesting the Holy Roman Empire influence in Germany at the time. The Armour worn by the figure on the shield is wearing armour constructed with a plackart and fluted breastplate with faulds, which historically coincides with the timeline of the 15^th-16^th Century in Germany under Roman influence. This was the most likely a Coat of arms of one of the Royal Armouries in the 15^th-16^th Century. Unfortunately the time of the Reformation was at hand, and the decline of the economy forced many craftsmen to seek their fortunes elsewhere, or the ministry.

The Schmitthenner Hammer and anvil would not ring for nearly 500 years.

Karoline Schmitthenner, a direct descendant of these ancient armourers moved to the US in the 1930's. Her knowledge of tanning and unique hardening methods were passed down to her grandson who now combines these methods with steel for some of the finest SCA and transitional armour available crafted by a descendant of armourers from the 16th Century. Many of the products which are handcrafted here at the Armoury bear our touchmark as a symbol of the pride, dedication and hard work that goes into every piece.

The Schmitthenner hammer swings again. Welcome back to the Middle Ages.

  The territory of Flanders, circa 16th Century                                                   

                                                                                                                                Genealogie der Familie Schmitthenner, 1884 By

                                                                                                                                        Johann Heinrich August Schmitthenner

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