Two-Handed Great Sword

[Jim McDougall]

Hi Dana,
Thank you for your kind response, and the two books I mentioned, the one by Boccia & Coelho included ("Armi Bianci Italiene") included, are rather hard to find and enormously expensive and I dont believe have enough data specific to this sword to warrant such expense. As for research on these arms in general they are priceless!
In my comments I noted that I felt the sword was likely ceremonial in probably a guards sword of possibly early 19th and slightly earlier, but quite honestly was uncomfortable with the idea of too much earlier in the 18th c. without knowing more on this topic, despite sensing that might be the case.

Jasper has perfectly assessed this and I very much agree with his speculation, as well as this being a processional sword, a capacity I had overlooked. Much as with heading type swords as bearing swords used as symbols of authority in various city states, kingdoms and other principalities, these huge swords were most visually impressive.
I agree also the sword was not necessarily made in Milan, but it does certainly as I noted carry certain elemental features of some of these swords made in Italy, and included representationally.

The best place to begin searching more detailed information is online, but using Wikipedia with caution as a benchmark to find key words, names and references that you can substantiate further with online searches. The information Jasper has provided already is quite soundly placed.

All the best,
Jim