Genoise blade

Jim McDougall · 12th February 2017, 11:03 PM

That is a very broad subject, and of course using search function a lot of information concerning 'Genoan' blades can be found here, but it would help to narrow to what specifically you are looking for.
Like most trade blade centers, there was so much spurious use of such names, markings, inscriptions on blades over centuries it becomes almost unfathomable to cover all aspects of what comprises 'Genoan' blades.

It is believed that Genoa was primarily a departure port in which the blades of numbers of North Italian blades were collectively exported into their trade routes and often colonies. The famed 'sickle marks' typically believed to signify the blades of Genoa actually were often emplaced on those of other North Italian cities with various makers as well as configurations.

These marks became used by other centers spuriously such as those in Styria as well as later Solingen, and in the Caucusus (known as Gurda).
They often occurred with the name 'GENOA' as well as 'FRINGIA' and others, further reinforcing the Genoan notion for sickle marks.

One of the best references for Italian edged weapons is the huge "Armi Bianche Italiene", Boccia & Coelho, 1975, Florence. In Italian but with fantastic photos and compendium of markings etc

Beyond these, it is best to use online search functions to specific makers names and look through auction catalogs often published online.
As for copies, if you refer to the many imitations of such blades from many trade blade centers, no such specific data exists and is researched on individual case.
Modern reproductions as far as I know present by form, not by blade, and Genoa had no particular style of blade particular to that City/State.

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12th February 2017, 11:03 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,196	That is a very broad subject, and of course using search function a lot of information concerning 'Genoan' blades can be found here, but it would help to narrow to what specifically you are looking for. Like most trade blade centers, there was so much spurious use of such names, markings, inscriptions on blades over centuries it becomes almost unfathomable to cover all aspects of what comprises 'Genoan' blades. It is believed that Genoa was primarily a departure port in which the blades of numbers of North Italian blades were collectively exported into their trade routes and often colonies. The famed 'sickle marks' typically believed to signify the blades of Genoa actually were often emplaced on those of other North Italian cities with various makers as well as configurations. These marks became used by other centers spuriously such as those in Styria as well as later Solingen, and in the Caucusus (known as Gurda). They often occurred with the name 'GENOA' as well as 'FRINGIA' and others, further reinforcing the Genoan notion for sickle marks. One of the best references for Italian edged weapons is the huge "Armi Bianche Italiene", Boccia & Coelho, 1975, Florence. In Italian but with fantastic photos and compendium of markings etc Beyond these, it is best to use online search functions to specific makers names and look through auction catalogs often published online. As for copies, if you refer to the many imitations of such blades from many trade blade centers, no such specific data exists and is researched on individual case. Modern reproductions as far as I know present by form, not by blade, and Genoa had no particular style of blade particular to that City/State.