A STORTA for comments

[Skarts_ss]

I couldn't afford to buy a good preserved Storta, so i started with this one. All comments welcome.

[eftihis]

It looks crap to me!!!!!!!!!!

[Jim McDougall]

Hi Skarts,
I prefer no to be quite so blunt, but must agree that while this does have all the features of a storta 'by the numbers', it appears to be artificially aged and a deceptive product. It is always discouraging to try to acquire good representative examples of classic arms, and important to learn as much on them as possible as well as check authentic examples in museums and collections. One must even be wary and deal with reputable sources but even then with caution.
Hang in there!!

All the best,
Jim

[cornelistromp]

I expect this to be an authenic sword.

norman pommel type 12 and hilt type 10.
not really a storta because the blade is not running out towards the point.

but a (later) version of a single edged broadsword.
can be dated to somewhere between 1600 and 1625

best,

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you Jasper, and as always your sound experience with these arms is highly respected. With your observation naturally I regret my assessment that this example might be more modern and that the aging seemed unusual and possibly artificial.

I agree this sword does correspond with the types you note, and though visually similar to some Italian swords, not necessarily the storta.
Can you offer some observations on the unusual and erratic corrosion and patchy variations in the patterns? It would seem that in an excavated example, as this I believe would be presumed, that there would be dark patination and presence of goethite in that.
Is it possible that the deterioration within has become extensive enough that active rust (not usually apparent on old, long deposited items) has become prevalent from within?
I had an old cannon ball for many years almost black with such goethite patination, rough (like an orange) ....then it suddenly began to come apart with orange rust from within, and virtually disintegrated. This sword seems entirely intact and the components sound and undistorted.

All the best,
Jim

[cornelistromp]

Hi Jim,

thank you.
it is my personal opinion, not a hard truth.
orange red rust is a warning that it can be a recent oxidation, however water finds sudenly exposed to oxygen may have a surface orange oxidation arise. see for example the hilt 14th century sword/waterfind for conservation.

further I noticed that a part of the "storta" hilt is eaten away, and that the tip is broken off and re-welded, that you actually do not see in recent forgeries.

Furthermore, the value of this 17th century sword in excavated state is lower than the cost of making such a falsification.

best,

[Skarts_ss]

Jim you broke my heart!!!!! But i agree with Jasper for the reasons he mentions

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by cornelistromp

Hi Jim,

thank you.
it is my personal opinion, not a hard truth.
orange red rust is a warning that it can be a recent oxidation, however water finds sudenly exposed to oxygen may have a surface orange oxidation arise. see for example the hilt 14th century sword/waterfind for conservation.

further I noticed that a part of the "storta" hilt is eaten away, and that the tip is broken off and re-welded, that you actually do not see in recent forgeries.

Furthermore, the value of this 17th century sword in excavated state is lower than the cost of making such a falsification.

best,

Again, thank you Jasper for the informative and well explained observations, and your points are well placed. I did not see the rewelded tip and the corroded away part of the hilt (I really do have new glasses pending
so what you say is entirely understandable about feasibility of reproduction.

I am glad for Skarts, as I would rather have a positive assessment and it is good of you to add your very valid comments. While this example is in rough condition, I would rather have a soundly historic piece than one which is pristine but of questionable pedigree.

All the very best,
Jim