An Italian Falchion

CSinTX · 11th June 2018, 03:18 AM

Got this at auction a little while back but just now got a chance to take good pictures. It was described as a Falchion with composite rapier guard. On closer inspection, it's obvious the guard was made for this blade and is not from a rapier. After some research and help from a friend, I found other examples with similar guards. Obviously, the pitting on the blade does not match the wear on the guard. Perhaps the guard was originally blackened?

All thoughts welcomed. Does anyone recognize the SZ mark?

Cerjak · 11th June 2018, 03:47 PM

Rapier blade ??
based on the pictures look very nice !
I would not be worry about the difference of oxidation blade /hilt they are different metal.
See the bellow picture with a similar blade.Venetian Falchion, circa 1600-1610
Best
CERJAK

CSinTX · 14th June 2018, 09:25 PM

I meant to say rapier guard, not blade.

Thanks Cerjak for the pics. I had not seen that one. I see your example has the same "typewriter" style font on the blade and looks to also have similar file marks on the guard.

There is this one with the more complex hilt at the Stiftung Baumann museum in Germany. Thanks to Carl Koppeschaar for his pictures.

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?

11th June 2018, 03:18 AM	#1
CSinTX Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 232	An Italian Falchion Got this at auction a little while back but just now got a chance to take good pictures. It was described as a Falchion with composite rapier guard. On closer inspection, it's obvious the guard was made for this blade and is not from a rapier. After some research and help from a friend, I found other examples with similar guards. Obviously, the pitting on the blade does not match the wear on the guard. Perhaps the guard was originally blackened? All thoughts welcomed. Does anyone recognize the SZ mark? Attached Images Last edited by CSinTX; 11th June 2018 at 04:23 PM.

11th June 2018, 03:47 PM	#2
Cerjak Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: FRANCE Posts: 1,064	Rapier blade ?? based on the pictures look very nice ! I would not be worry about the difference of oxidation blade /hilt they are different metal. See the bellow picture with a similar blade.Venetian Falchion, circa 1600-1610 Best CERJAK Attached Images

14th June 2018, 09:25 PM	#3
CSinTX Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 232	I meant to say rapier guard, not blade. Thanks Cerjak for the pics. I had not seen that one. I see your example has the same "typewriter" style font on the blade and looks to also have similar file marks on the guard. There is this one with the more complex hilt at the Stiftung Baumann museum in Germany. Thanks to Carl Koppeschaar for his pictures. Attached Images

12th January 2020, 04:25 PM	#4
CSinTX Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 232	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

12th January 2020, 06:06 PM	#5
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	#6
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,051	Very nice and interesting swords, an Italian take on basket hilt shearing swords.