Schiavona
 

I've always wanted one of thoose. That would be the sword my ancestors were using.

What do you think about thatone (ebay item 6623461254) :

http://www.antiqueweaponstore.com/Schiavona.JPG
http://www.antiqueweaponstore.com/Schiavona-2.JPG
http://www.antiqueweaponstore.com/Schiavona-3.JPG

Beeing a verry expensive and rare sword my collecting knoledge doesn't permit me to spend a couple of thousands of $ for not beeing tottaly sure what I'll got... well I still miss that. Further, Could one be shure when buying one of thoose, or you can never be sure?

I think that there are many repros around, even some well done pieces. How to tell the difference? Is there anything written especcially about Schiavona in english/italian?

Till then, I'm going to Croatia trying to hunt one down... :cool:

I looked long and hard at the pics and could not find any reason to doubt its authenticity.
Awesome sword...
I think the book on Croatian Weapons is the best source of information.
With these prices, to acquire the weapon of one's ancestors, one needs to sell one's descendants :eek: :eek:

Is Croatia a good source to acquire old weapons?

Yes, SenSei, you're completely rightabout selling some of descendants :D :D

Do you mean "ubojite ojstrice"? Nice book, yes. But not so much accademic I guess :)

I can see at least some red lights on thatone above:
1. The leather on the hilt is new, well not really a "red light", but still not good looking
2. The pommel looks to be a modern casting. On the other schiavonas I've seen and handled the pommel looked all the way different. I would not be astonished if it is screw mounted.
3. The point of the blade seems that has been reshaped. Never seen a point like that on a schiavona.
4. Maybe it is just a photo fault, but the blade seems slightly bended

Ariel: About Croatia. If you are coming to Zagreb and want to aquire an old weapon in an antique store, you will probably pay even more, as you would pay for the same thing in USA. To aquire good pieces at low prices, you should have a network of friends who live in rural areas over Croatia, Macedonia and Bosnia. My friend from sarajevo aquired his entire collection thatway, he paid 500 euro for a better schiavona than that, last august. But such occasions are verry rare. :p American garage sales are much better than that, I guess. :)

You may be right about your concerns. Would be nice to actually handle it, wouldn't it?
I got several great swords in local small antique stores and as to garage sales.... A land of opportunity :)