An Italian Falchion

CSinTX · 12th January 2020, 04:25 PM

Just adding to the record here. A similar example recently listed at HH.

https://www.hermann-historica.de/en/...s/lot/id/33895

"Sturdy, slightly curved single-edged blade with double-edged point and narrow fuller on either side. Struck right underneath the back a frieze of scrolling leaves. The ricasso struck on both sides with a Cesar head mark. Finely ridged bar hilt, the obverse lower bar in the form of a stylised fleur-de-lis. Grip with fine iron wrap and Turk's heads. The shoulder of the blade with old, white collection number, attached to the hilt a copper mark with the number "136". Flat pommel ridged on either side. Length 86.5 cm.
Provenance:Collection Galopim, Geneva."

Jens Nordlunde · 12th January 2020, 06:06 PM

I am not into European weapons, but could the SZ stand for the canton Schwyz in the central part of Switzerland just north of the Alps?

David R · 12th January 2020, 11:48 PM

Very nice and interesting swords, an Italian take on basket hilt shearing swords.

corrado26 · 13th January 2020, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

I am not into European weapons, but could the SZ stand for the canton Schwyz in the central part of Switzerland just north of the Alps?

If Switzerland, the "SZ" could also stand for "Stadt Zürich" (City of Zuerich), but why then the "fleur de lis" which is normally a French symbol?

Victrix · 13th January 2020, 03:08 PM

According to Staffan Kinman’s excellent European Makers of Edged Weapons, Their Marks (2015) the mark Z B is for Zeughaus Bern from around 1540.

If you consult Schneider’s Waffen im Schweizerischen Landesmuseum (1980) you may find what Z S stands for.

corrado26 · 13th January 2020, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victrix

If you consult Schneider’s Waffen im Schweizerischen Landesmuseum (1980) you may find what Z S stands for.

Is it really a "ZS" or eventually a "SZ" It depends on from which side you look at!

Victrix · 13th January 2020, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corrado26

Is it really a "ZS" or eventually a "SZ" It depends on from which side you look at!

Obviously

AndreaFeraro89 · 13th January 2020, 08:58 PM

In my opinion is a north Italian storta, or coltella, I am 99% sure of this, pommel does not belong originally with the sword, the "classic" pommel for this tipe of sword is the one mounted in the example posted by @Cerjak.

About the guard, could be a local style, it seems that the "base" is the classic storta guard with added extra arms on the side.

Here you can see a storta made in Caino (near Brescia).

Also Decorations on the blade confirms that has been made in Italy.

Here you can find some additional infos about this tipology of sword.
https://www.hema-minsk2019.org/base_...ibition-part-3

About the SZ mark...yes could be an arsenal mark, considering this is a infantry weapon, very common and cheap. On the other hand there are many examples about initials of the maker in Italian blades.

Cheers
Giovanni

12th January 2020, 04:25 PM	#1
CSinTX Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 233	Just adding to the record here. A similar example recently listed at HH. https://www.hermann-historica.de/en/...s/lot/id/33895 "Sturdy, slightly curved single-edged blade with double-edged point and narrow fuller on either side. Struck right underneath the back a frieze of scrolling leaves. The ricasso struck on both sides with a Cesar head mark. Finely ridged bar hilt, the obverse lower bar in the form of a stylised fleur-de-lis. Grip with fine iron wrap and Turk's heads. The shoulder of the blade with old, white collection number, attached to the hilt a copper mark with the number "136". Flat pommel ridged on either side. Length 86.5 cm. Provenance:Collection Galopim, Geneva." Attached Images

13th January 2020, 08:58 PM	#8
AndreaFeraro89 Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Posts: 13	In my opinion is a north Italian storta, or coltella, I am 99% sure of this, pommel does not belong originally with the sword, the "classic" pommel for this tipe of sword is the one mounted in the example posted by @Cerjak. About the guard, could be a local style, it seems that the "base" is the classic storta guard with added extra arms on the side. Here you can see a storta made in Caino (near Brescia). Also Decorations on the blade confirms that has been made in Italy. Here you can find some additional infos about this tipology of sword. https://www.hema-minsk2019.org/base_...ibition-part-3 About the SZ mark...yes could be an arsenal mark, considering this is a infantry weapon, very common and cheap. On the other hand there are many examples about initials of the maker in Italian blades. Cheers Giovanni Attached Images

12th January 2020, 06:06 PM	#2
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,713	I am not into European weapons, but could the SZ stand for the canton Schwyz in the central part of Switzerland just north of the Alps?

12th January 2020, 11:48 PM	#3
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,058	Very nice and interesting swords, an Italian take on basket hilt shearing swords.

13th January 2020, 03:08 PM	#5
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 685	According to Staffan Kinman’s excellent European Makers of Edged Weapons, Their Marks (2015) the mark Z B is for Zeughaus Bern from around 1540. If you consult Schneider’s Waffen im Schweizerischen Landesmuseum (1980) you may find what Z S stands for.