[Bruno Giordan]

remains of the sword of Cangrande della Scala (from his grave)

[Bruno Giordan]

2nd

[Bruno Giordan]

3d

[Tim Lison]

Nice pics. When is the sword from. Is there any idea what type of blade it may have?

[Brian M]

Thanks for posting those pix.
The pommel is interesting. In the first pic it looks like some kind of facted octagonal pommel, but in the last pic it looks like a "type-I" pommel.
He died in 1329, which would be most consistent with swords of type Xa, XII, XIV, and XVI. No way to tell without seeing the blade.

Brian M

[C.L. Miller]

Great photos! Thanks for posting them! It's always wonderful to see new photos of these weapons, and being able to see them in color only deepens one's appreciation.
For what it's worth, in The Archaeology of Weapons Oakeshott identifies the blade as a type XII, though the weapon is only pictured sheathed (plate 17b) and the text is concerned primarily with the scabbard and its decoration.

[Bruno Giordan]

the blade was found, but it is exhibited in a sheated state.

This is just one of cangrande's swords, there was also a one and half sword and a stocco.

The red velvet is original, linen foundation is modern.

This is a serious archeological evaluation of his swords, including a quotation from Boccia (italian, sorry, no time for a translation)

http://www.spolia.it/online/it/argomenti/arch...grande.htm

this is what is said about the blade

"Pomo ottagonale rilevato a mozzo, con tracce di doratura a foglia; impugnatura leggermente a fuso, rivestita di fili di argento (in lega di rame) alternati a fili in seta, a intreccio. Crociera ingrossata in mezzeria, con tracce di capetta, e bracci brevi e diritti: il tutto originariamente dorato in foglia. Lama a doppio filo, scanalata al primo terzo e lievemente stondata in punta, largamente frammentata. Fodero originariamente in legno rivestito in pelle sottile e velluto rosso, largamente frammentario; meglio conservate la cappa, la ghiera e il puntale, in lega di rame sottilmente incisa a fogliettine e dorata per amalgama; campanelle di attacco a mezzaluna, due sulla cappa ed una sulla ghiera. Cintura in cuoio, blindata alle estreme, originariamente avvolta al fodero.

Most relevant from above

Octagonal pommel, traces of gilding (more evident to the eye than they are in the pics), handle coated with silver wires (oxidized) mixed with silk wires .... blade is double edged (doppio filo) fullered up to the first third of the blade (scanalata al primo terzo), slightly rounded at the point, the sword is largely fragmented (into pieces). Chape better preserved etc ...[/b]

[Jared Smith]

Looking at the pictures I get the impression that there is linen covering the core. Does the archeologists' discussion say anything about cloth being glued over a wood core?

[Steve Maly]

[Joe Fults]

Thanks for the photos.

[Bruno Giordan]

As I said, white foundation linen is modern (if seen with one's eyes, it is evident).
The italian text concurs obviously with Oakeshott sayng that the core is obviously wood.

But just a little chip of wood remains inside the chape.

White linen as a restoration is used to keep velvet into shape.

I see instead that on the handle the cross-like design has disappeard, the photo is relative to a first opening of the tomb in the twenties.

Now only the oxydized silver wire remains as wrapping .

The pic of the chape is poor, sorry but the sword is under glass and lightning was poor and mixed (neon + natural light), so long times and a just sufficient color rendition

[Bruno Giordan]

Important: the italian text says that this is likely just a ceremonial sword, the characteristics of the handle and scabbard would suggest so.

Also the figure carved on the funeral marble stone carries a stocco, which is given as exposed at the same museum, where I couldn't see it, however.