An antique schiavona -- myArmoury.com

Bill Grandy · myArmoury Team

The schiavona has always been one of my favorite sword styles. Its a very distinctive type, and in my opinion the most beautiful styles of basket hilts out there.

I have recently taken a big step with my collection, and I have purchased a wonderful antique schiavona. This piece is in very good condition, showing some surface corrosion, and with a very slight wiggle on the guard. Other than that, the rest of the hilt components are rock solid, and the patina isn't bad at all.

Overall length: 40 inches
Blade length: 34 inches
Blade width: 1 7/16 inches at guard
Point of Balance: 3 1/4 inches from guard
Grip length: 4 inches
Guard width: 4.5 inches
Opening for hand width: 3.5 inches
Oakeshott Type 2b schiavona guard
[Edit] Weight: 2 lbs 9.3 oz

I unfortunately can't seem to find my scale that I normally use for weighing swords, so I had to use a fairly innaccurate bathroom scale, which says the sword is roughly 2 1/2 lbs. It feels lighter: The sword has a wonderful balance for both cutting and thrusting, and it is made even livelier by the thumb ring inside the guard, which really aids in the way I am able to make cutting actions. The tip control is excellent, and I've been doing light solo drills in the Bolognese tradition with it because it feels so "right" for the actions. The blade is quite thin and still sharp. In fact, it has the type of blade that many well-meaning modern enthusiasts would unfortunately call "whippy", which is not only historical (as is evidenced here), but quite common on thin cutting blades such as this.

The grip is wrapped with rayskin with a spiral groove. There is evidence that there may have once been a wire that laid in that groove, but is now gone.

Dating the sword is tricky. The blade has the engravings "S-O-L-I D-E-O" on one side and "G-L-O-R-I-A" on the other. This roughly means "For the Glory of God Alone", and this is one of the five sola of the Protestant Reformation (five Latin phrases that encapsulate the movement's beliefs). The Protestant Reformation is generally accepted to have ended at about 1648, so that most likely places the age of the blade in the first half of that century.

I do not know for certain if the guard is also from the 17th c, as it is not uncommon for these blades to be fitted to guards later in life. It is also not out of the realm of possibility that the sword is composite of multiple schiavona parts. I've been spending quite a lot of time trying to figure out what time period the guard is from, and I'm still not 100% certain. There are a number of guards that are more or less exactly like this dated anywhere from the middle of the 17th century into the middle of the 18th century, and Oakeshott himself laments the troubles of dating these hilts in European Weapons and Armour from the Renaissance to the Industrial Revolution. I'm suspecting it is a 17th century hilt based on its similarity to many other 17th century hilts, but can't be completely sure because there are some 18th century ones that aren't that different as well. If anyone else has any information regarding this, I would highly appreciate it!

Needless to say, I'm quite enamoured with this sword. I had to sell a couple of my more highly prized modern reproductions to afford it, but I don't regret that for a second. To have such a wonderful piece of history in my possession is both exciting and an honor, and I intend to let students handle and examine it so that others can better appreciate this wonderful weapon.

(I have more photos, which I still have to resize. I'll add them later on tonight.)

*edited to fix typo in stats*

William Goodwin · Posted: Wed 08 Jul, 2009 4:26 pm Post subject:

whoa Bill....that's a mighty fine piece you've acquired. Biggest of congrats, I bet you are chuffed with it!

Since Nathan is the schiavona guru around these parts, I'd think he may have something. I've got alot of stuff on the 17th c. but most is mortuary, ECW material, though I do have some schiavona info. in a pile...somewhere plus some photos form some of the antique dealers from over the years....I'll go digging.

cheers,

Bill

Allan Senefelder · Industry Professional

Awe common, you get this and your not comming to Todd's next weekend to share?

Bennison N · Posted: Wed 08 Jul, 2009 6:11 pm Post subject:

Bill,

That's awesome! They're my favourite baskets too... It looks so well kept for something AT LEAST 200 years old!

Justin King · Industry Professional

Congratulations, that is a beautiful piece. Stunning, actually. Even the fact that I just pulled my long-awaited Vigil out of it's box 2 hours ago does not prevent you from having my fullest envy. Wink

M. Eversberg II · Posted: Wed 08 Jul, 2009 7:03 pm Post subject:

Much envy! The schiavona is my favorite of the more modern swords. Is this your first antique?

M.

Bill Grandy · myArmoury Team

As promised, here are some more pictures.

Bill Grandy · myArmoury Team

Two last photos.

Bill Grandy · myArmoury Team

Bill Grandy · myArmoury Team

M. Eversberg II · Posted: Wed 08 Jul, 2009 10:36 pm Post subject:

I too hope to join in the antique sword collection market some day, though it would probably be neigh impossible on a teacher's salary.

How does the rayskin feel in-hand? I've never messed with the stuff before, at all. Do you plan to do any restoration work, or leave it as-is (particularly re-applying the wire wrap and fixing the slight wobble you spoke of)?

M.

Bill Grandy · myArmoury Team

Roger Hooper · Posted: Thu 09 Jul, 2009 12:21 am Post subject:

I really like that schiavona. I'm no expert, but it seems to me that it has many small individual touches in the hilt design. I also like the lighter blade that makes it much more maneuverable than the heavier, ponderous broadsword blades (like the one on the Del Tin replica)

Ed Toton · Posted: Thu 09 Jul, 2009 8:36 am Post subject:

Truly a gorgeous purchase! I can't wait to get a look at this close-up.

One of these days I may look into getting a nice antique.. something older than 19th/20th Century, that is. Happy

Sean Flynt · Posted: Thu 09 Jul, 2009 8:48 am Post subject:

Wow, Bill! That is indeed a big step! What a beautiful piece....

Jean Henri Chandler · Posted: Thu 09 Jul, 2009 10:51 am Post subject: Re: An antique schiavona

Bill Grandy · myArmoury Team

Bill Grandy · myArmoury Team

It was just pointed out to me that I forgot to include the point of balance. Whoops! I just edited the original post to include that.

Daniel Sullivan · Posted: Thu 09 Jul, 2009 12:54 pm Post subject:

Bill,

Congratulations on the Schiavona, a real beautiful piece! Have always been attracted to this type of sword, probably for no reason other than the graceful hilt.

Thanks for posting the photos.

Regards,
Dan

John Lundemo · Industry Professional

Very happy for you, man that is a great score! I wonder if I could get like Eljay to make me a basket like that and I could make a fancy blade for it. Bet he could, when I get the scratch. But, oh my gosh what a beauty.