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Old 9th July 2011, 04:56 AM   #11
Cathey
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: adelaide south australia
Posts: 274
Default SCHIAVONA Circa 1600 late, (17th Century)

Hi

This Schiavona is the only one in our collection, and we particularly like it becaue of the pieced balde and armourers marks.

Nationality: Venetian
Over Length: 95 cm
Blade length: 80.5 cm
Blade widest point: 3.3 cm

Marks, etc.: The running wolf is the passau mark generally found on words supplied to mercenaries of the Arch-Duke Leopold V. The other makers mark is yet to be referenced, but is supposed to have something to do with St Mark?

Description: SCHIAVONA Venetian broad sword, the hilt with characteristic complicated multi bar basket guard. The outside elements of the “basket” splay out quite broadly at the ends, and each end finished with a well shaped knob. This form is repeated on the single rear quillon, while the lower bars of the guard spring from the ends of the atrophied branches. The upper elements of the basket are formed from a pair of narrow bars joining the upper part of the knuckle-guard to the inside of the rear quillon. These are set quite wide apart and are joined by a series of short curved bars at right angles incorporating thumb ring and rear facing quillon. Leather covered wooden grip. Brass Cats Head pommel with raised central boss on each side featuring what may have been a floral motif. Straight double-edged blade with pieced design, running wolf mark and another maker’s mark on the ricasso. Some pitting commiserate with age otherwise good condition.

References:
CURTIS, Tony, Lyle Price guide Militaria Arms and Armour Pp127
EVANGELISTA, Nick THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE SWORD Pp529-530
OAKESHOTT, Ewart EUROPEAN WEAPONS AND ARMOUR Pp 182-191
STONE, George Cameron A GLOSSARY OF THE CONSTRUCTION, DECORATION & USE OF ARMS & ARMOUR Pp
WAGNER, Eduard, CUT AND THRUST WEAPONS Pp109,172
WILKINSON, Frederick SWORDS & DAGGERS Ward Lock & Co. Limited 1967 Pp

The best place to see a range of Shiavona’s on the market is Czernys Auction House Italy. They have two auctions a year and always appear to offer a good selection of these swords.

Cheers Cathey and Rex
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