Italian Storta

[Victrix]

Originally Posted by M ELEY

What a beautiful and fascinating sword, Victrix! I am green with envy! I know it is a little bit of a stretch to say your sword could also have a maritime connection, but the buccaneers of the 17th century very much favored short hangers, falcions, dussages and Sinclaire sabers. In Exquamillon's book on pirates, there are many contemporary sketches of the sea rovers with similar short, stocky bladed swords with shell guards (see also Gilkerson for shellguard maritime swords). In any case, an amazing sword!

Thank you for your kind words and pictures. Yes I understand Italian Stortas were used onboard ships and galleys. It’s possible that some may have found their way to other continents. There was also piracy in the Mediterranean so pirates may well have used Stortas.