[Jim McDougall]

Just to say thank you to Schiavona fleck! Its not often we have these kinds of insightful comments on the mysteries of Balkan oriented weapons!
It makes perfect sense that a Croatian master made this hilt, and I have often wondered just what the situation was with the Croatians who served as bodyguards and auxiliary forces for the Doge of Venice. This arrangement has remained in place for centuries as part of a treaty in early conflicts between the Venetian State and Croatia.

I would like to know more of course on when this blacksmith worked and where. As the schiavona evolved being a primary form in Venice with these forces (the more developed trellis guard from basic Hungarian S guard hilts) there was of course focused production of these through the centuries.

With the pommel, the replacement example of the more correct 'cats head' and in brass in NO way diminishes the value of this important example, especially historically. It is not often a schiavona example can be placed exactly with the famed Croatian (Slovonian et al) forces for the Doge.
The earlier pommel appears to have been another Balkan, East European type known as the 'kosarice', for resemblance to a type of Balkan pastry.

The markings, as I have noted, are distinctly Italian, and of varying examples of what Sir James Mann (Wallace Collection, 1962) terms the 'twig' mark. These often in subtle variation but always the triple lines across a horizontal bar, were common on Italian blades from the late 15th century, through the 16th and later continued as approximations spuriously as often the case.

"..these twig marks were commonly found on Italian blades, as well as occurring singly" (Mann, 1962, p.255 op cit), as he notes they often appear in groupings of three. It should be noted that these also occurred in various configurations and groupings with other marks (such as the indistinguishable punzone on this blade).

Mann (p.255) also notes "loop shaped marks at base of the blade" as possible (probable) variations of the well known 'sickle' marks typically (and incorrectly) distinguished as exclusively Genoan. It is noted that these marks (presumably the 'loops') and 'sickle' are often found on swords to the armory of the Doge in Venice.

Here I would note that markings on blades are not necessarily to a certain blade maker, though certain ones seem favored by particular makers. In actuality, while we cannot know exactly what these sundry markings meant or represented, it may have been as simple as a certain stamp being at hand or other. Makers either had their own forge and shop, or worked in those of others, in which case, the markings or their variations/groupings may have distinguished a certain worker and accounted for his work to his master.

Many markings may have had deeper, more complex talismanic or other origin, but over time they suggested quality that became associated with a certain makers blades, with the known meaning lost over time. Often markings are suggested to have guild associated distinction, and while this is somewhat correct, typically it was only registered punzones with this case.
Other markings like the sickle or 'Passau wolf' were simply long recognized symbols in the quality imbuement convention noted.

In all, a wonderful example with remarkable history to the notable State of Venice and its Doge's. While most examples to the notorious and feared 'Council of Ten' are typically marked, this example is with that context in degree.