[Victrix]

My Christmas present arrived late this year due to slow post service. It’s an Italian Storta (presumably Venetian Republic) from the end 16thC/beginning 17thC. The wooden grip is bound with rope covered with leather. It has a downward curved cross guard, from which a shell guard protrudes, and a curved knuckle guard. The flat octagonal pommel has a central boss and looks typical Venetian/Hungarian style. The single-edged blade is gently curved with a shallow fuller in its centre on both sides. The blade has three thicknesses with a slight recess after the first quarter and a 19cm false edge toward the tip. The blade is decorated with lines and moons and stars at the top and at the bottom. There’s a smith’s mark stamped on one side within three stars on either side. The overall length is 83.5cm (hilt 13.5cm and blade 70cm) and weight is 0.8Kg. The sword feels very sturdy in hand and handles well. Ideal for use in cramped conditions on a ship or galley.