ITALIAN INFANTRY SWORD(VENETIAN?)circa1600

Iain · 22nd April 2014, 08:35 PM

These hilts are sometimes known as "crab claw" hilts. I would agree the grip is certainly a later replacement. The pommel also doesn't "fit" to my eyes for the reasons Jim mentioned. They are typically not round like this one, but elongated egg-like shapes. Often multifaceted instead of smooth and typically with an extension at the end to house a tang nub.

In any case an interesting and nice sword. I've also seen SACCHI on various Italian swords from the period, a maker's name perhaps? In any case I don't believe this is a Solingen product. The north Italian blade manufacture industry was more than alive and well in the 17th century.

22nd April 2014, 08:35 PM	#4
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	These hilts are sometimes known as "crab claw" hilts. I would agree the grip is certainly a later replacement. The pommel also doesn't "fit" to my eyes for the reasons Jim mentioned. They are typically not round like this one, but elongated egg-like shapes. Often multifaceted instead of smooth and typically with an extension at the end to house a tang nub. In any case an interesting and nice sword. I've also seen SACCHI on various Italian swords from the period, a maker's name perhaps? In any case I don't believe this is a Solingen product. The north Italian blade manufacture industry was more than alive and well in the 17th century.