perdurabo
08-05-2005, 12:38 PM
http://swordforum.com/articles/ams/the-schiavona-title.jpg
THE SCHIAVONA: A 17th Century Italian Masterpiece
Article & Photos by Jean Binck
stolen from: http://swordforum.com/
The Schiavona came from the 16th century sword of the Venetian Doge guard which largely consisted of Dalmatian Slavs (Schiavoni).
This sword combined the full hand protection of a deep basket hilt made up of a number of connecting iron bars, and a very efficient blade that allowed both cut and thrust.
During the 17th century, due to the trade with northern Italy, the Schiavona won a wide popularity in other European armies as well. Fitted with a long blade, it became the favourite sword of the heavy cavalry.
Here is a description of such a sword which is the private property of a collector friend who kindly allowed me to take these pictures and to handle and measure this wonderful item.
The blade is straight, two-edged 932 mm long and 34 mm wide at the ricasso and 4.5 mm thick. It bears a maker mark on both sides that I could not identify.
The grip is covered with leather and has the typical flat "cat’s head" brass pommel both sides of which are ornamented.
The hilt is a complex assembly of iron bars which forms a basket 103 mm wide. On the inner side of the cross-guard is a iron thumb loop.
The sword is 1071 mm long and weighs 1125 grams.
By comparing with items in museums, there should be a leather cap attached to the cross-guard which covers the mouth of the scabbard when the sword is sheathed. This leather cap also protects the index finger that grips the cross-guard and rests against the edge of the blade, which would be painful if not protected.
On the examined item, this leather cap as well as the scabbard were missing.
I had the opportunity to handle the Schiavona, and I can tell you that it is certainly not only a sword maker masterpiece, but also a magnificently well balanced and efficient soldier’s sword which certainly deserved its wide popularity among the 17th century cavalry.
http://swordforum.com/articles/ams/the-schiavona-bothsides.jpg
http://swordforum.com/articles/ams/the-schiavona-hilt.jpg
http://swordforum.com/articles/ams/the-schiavona-mark.jpg
Bibliography
Wagner E. , Cut and Thrust Weapons, Hamlyn, UK (1969)
Editor's Note
Text and pictures are the property of the author
Author Contact Information
Contact the author: jeanbck@hotmail.com
http://swordforum.com/img/sfilogo.gif
THE SCHIAVONA: A 17th Century Italian Masterpiece
Article & Photos by Jean Binck
stolen from: http://swordforum.com/
The Schiavona came from the 16th century sword of the Venetian Doge guard which largely consisted of Dalmatian Slavs (Schiavoni).
This sword combined the full hand protection of a deep basket hilt made up of a number of connecting iron bars, and a very efficient blade that allowed both cut and thrust.
During the 17th century, due to the trade with northern Italy, the Schiavona won a wide popularity in other European armies as well. Fitted with a long blade, it became the favourite sword of the heavy cavalry.
Here is a description of such a sword which is the private property of a collector friend who kindly allowed me to take these pictures and to handle and measure this wonderful item.
The blade is straight, two-edged 932 mm long and 34 mm wide at the ricasso and 4.5 mm thick. It bears a maker mark on both sides that I could not identify.
The grip is covered with leather and has the typical flat "cat’s head" brass pommel both sides of which are ornamented.
The hilt is a complex assembly of iron bars which forms a basket 103 mm wide. On the inner side of the cross-guard is a iron thumb loop.
The sword is 1071 mm long and weighs 1125 grams.
By comparing with items in museums, there should be a leather cap attached to the cross-guard which covers the mouth of the scabbard when the sword is sheathed. This leather cap also protects the index finger that grips the cross-guard and rests against the edge of the blade, which would be painful if not protected.
On the examined item, this leather cap as well as the scabbard were missing.
I had the opportunity to handle the Schiavona, and I can tell you that it is certainly not only a sword maker masterpiece, but also a magnificently well balanced and efficient soldier’s sword which certainly deserved its wide popularity among the 17th century cavalry.
http://swordforum.com/articles/ams/the-schiavona-bothsides.jpg
http://swordforum.com/articles/ams/the-schiavona-hilt.jpg
http://swordforum.com/articles/ams/the-schiavona-mark.jpg
Bibliography
Wagner E. , Cut and Thrust Weapons, Hamlyn, UK (1969)
Editor's Note
Text and pictures are the property of the author
Author Contact Information
Contact the author: jeanbck@hotmail.com
http://swordforum.com/img/sfilogo.gif