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Originally Posted by shayde78
"Agony in the Garden", 1508
The artist's interpretation of archaic sword?
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Very interesting print, thanks for sharing it. Viewed in conjunction with "Sol Justitia" in post 13, it's significant in that the swords are depicted with the leather or metal rain-covers on their crossguards, to keep moisture out when the weapon is sheathed. This, of course, is very seldom seen intact on extant medieval and Renaissance swords due to their fragility. Another reason why period work by noted artists is so useful for documentary purposes.
For those wanting to see the real thing, there are a couple of Italian swords of the period published in Boccia/Coelho,
Armi Bianche Italiane (1975). I believe Oakeshott's
Records of the Medieval Sword may have a few more examples of hilts with intact chapes as well.