Blade- Italian Storta ?

aspalathos · 26th February 2023, 08:48 AM

https://www.rockislandauction.com/de...ket-hilt-sabre

Same length

Victrix · 26th February 2023, 10:10 AM

Elsewhere in Ivan Kovac’s book ”Ubojite Ostrice” (Gornja Stubica, 2003) is a similar blade #168 (middle in the picture) on what is described as an end of 17thC Hungarian hussar sabre with overall length 94cm. The blade is marked with serrated bows and on the ricasso there’s a mark of a serrated wheel. The blade has the three fullers running along the back of the blade although it doesn’t have the Andrea Ferrara mark. Interestingly the tang is straight and not curved in the Hungarian or oriental style. I think this hilt type is the bridging version between 16-17thC straight cross guard (like the other two sabres in the picture) and 18thC stirrup type knuckle guard of later hussar sabres.

This supports Jim’s argument that the blade is for a cavalry sword and most likely produced in the Austrian region of Styria for the East European market. As Jim mentioned the Italian Stortas had shorter and sturdier blades. The Stortas pictured in post #10 are shorter in overall length of 85cm, with #49 at only 76cm (shortened tip?).

Teisani · 26th February 2023, 02:32 PM

My doubt that this blade was for a E-European sabre is due to the tang shape. E-European sabres tend to have riveted handles not peened. This one has a tang destined for a peened handle. Nimcha or storta seem more plausible to me.

Radboud · 26th February 2023, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aspalathos

https://www.rockislandauction.com/de...ket-hilt-sabre

Same length

This is a difficult topic. There remains a significant amount of uncertainty around these basket-hilted sabres. Even the description in the auction is unclear as to its authenticity, stating clearly that the blade has been reassembled for repair.

26th February 2023, 10:10 AM	#2
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 755	Elsewhere in Ivan Kovac’s book ”Ubojite Ostrice” (Gornja Stubica, 2003) is a similar blade #168 (middle in the picture) on what is described as an end of 17thC Hungarian hussar sabre with overall length 94cm. The blade is marked with serrated bows and on the ricasso there’s a mark of a serrated wheel. The blade has the three fullers running along the back of the blade although it doesn’t have the Andrea Ferrara mark. Interestingly the tang is straight and not curved in the Hungarian or oriental style. I think this hilt type is the bridging version between 16-17thC straight cross guard (like the other two sabres in the picture) and 18thC stirrup type knuckle guard of later hussar sabres. This supports Jim’s argument that the blade is for a cavalry sword and most likely produced in the Austrian region of Styria for the East European market. As Jim mentioned the Italian Stortas had shorter and sturdier blades. The Stortas pictured in post #10 are shorter in overall length of 85cm, with #49 at only 76cm (shortened tip?). Attached Images

26th February 2023, 08:48 AM	#1
aspalathos Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Posts: 100	https://www.rockislandauction.com/de...ket-hilt-sabre Same length

26th February 2023, 02:32 PM	#3
Teisani Member Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: Romania Posts: 314	My doubt that this blade was for a E-European sabre is due to the tang shape. E-European sabres tend to have riveted handles not peened. This one has a tang destined for a peened handle. Nimcha or storta seem more plausible to me.