Estoc (Thrusting Sword) late 16th century German, Saxony An estoc, also called a tuck or a panzerstecher (literally, armor piercer), is a type of sword carried by armored cavalrymen in the mid-to late sixteenth century, during the peak period when plate body armor was in use. It is characterized by a long, narrow, acutely pointed blade, usually triangular in cross section. This resulted in a very stiff blade, designed to puncture mail or pierce the gaps in plate armor.. Estoc (Thrusting Sword). German, Saxony. late 16th century. Steel, shagreen, wood. Swords