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Old 25th February 2023, 05:32 PM   #11
Jim McDougall
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As others have noted here, the length of this blade is notably longer than the Italian 'storta', which were shorter heavy bladed swords typically.
As has been noted here, this is most certainly a cavalry saber blade, most likely late 17th c into early 18th and East European.

The comparisons to similar multiple back fullers how how prevalent the Italian blade conventions were in continuing blade manufacture in major European centers. In my opinion this blade is probably from one of the Styrian centers, as they typically supplied East European, especially Hungarian sword makers.

The use of the Genoan 'sickle' marks were often applied with other names etc. and added as quality inducements, a convention of course most well known with German examples particularly Solingen.

This same idea in Solingen with the use of ANDREA FERARA was of course almost a standard in producing broadsword blades for the Scots primarily in the mid to latter 17th century. While this name was indeed that of a famed Italian maker of the 16th c. whose fame ironically came primarily from being ubiquitous on the trade blades using his name later, it does not seem that he actually made blades for Scotland himself. This 'legend' is complex as it has been well traveled since being described by earlier arms writers but there is no evidence the true Andrea Ferara (or his brother) ever went to Scotland, or Spain as has been suggested as well.

It has become somewhat accepted that the Scots were drawn to the name for its implications from Latin, (ferara =iron; andrea= good, true, and the patron saint of Scotland St.Andrew). This notion was cleverly employed by the Solingen makers as a sort of 'brand' favored by the Scots. It is in my view not usual to see it on Styrian or East European blades, but again, these conventions were not confined geographically.

It is of course not as usual to see ANDREA FERARA on curved blades, but of course was not as prevalent as on straight blades. The Scots did have occasion for curved blades on basket hilts (called 'turcael') but notably an exception.

The 'yelman' was a blade feature well known on early Oriental sabers which traveled to the Middle East, and was widely favored on East European blades.
Though in many cases dramatically notable, it became more subtle as with this one, where it is simply a widened distal end of the blade, as with its purpose the add weight to the cut.

As noted in the discussion, ANDREA FERARA trade blades often turn up in native context in various spheres with cases in India; North Africa and on 'nimchas' as shown.
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