Italian Storta

Victrix · 1st February 2023, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M ELEY

What a beautiful and fascinating sword, Victrix! I am green with envy! I know it is a little bit of a stretch to say your sword could also have a maritime connection, but the buccaneers of the 17th century very much favored short hangers, falcions, dussages and Sinclaire sabers. In Exquamillon's book on pirates, there are many contemporary sketches of the sea rovers with similar short, stocky bladed swords with shell guards (see also Gilkerson for shellguard maritime swords). In any case, an amazing sword!

Thank you for your kind words and pictures. Yes I understand Italian Stortas were used onboard ships and galleys. It’s possible that some may have found their way to other continents. There was also piracy in the Mediterranean so pirates may well have used Stortas.

Jim McDougall · 1st February 2023, 11:54 PM

Thank you for the kind words Victrix!

As Mark notes, these were closely related to the European dusagge (and variations dubbed 'Sinclair' sabers) and the Italian storta was certainly a key influence. Italian weapons and styles were often notably copied in other European arms making centers.

Italian trade was also prevalent in many primary trade routes and sectors, so the transference of these weapons into other contexts was not only possible,but likely. Many Spanish arms of the 'conquistadors' of this period and later were actually Italian either in make or design. However in their case it was the rapiers, armor and helmets most prevalent.

The extended shell guard on this storta is compelling, and as seen, resembles the type of guard on the sword held in this popular illustration. The 'cutlass' was not necessarily made distinctly as a 'cutlass' but any shorter, stout bladed sword would easily serve in that capacity.

It seems that in some references, I have seen that pirates in some cases may have even referred to their swords colloquially as, 'their shell'.

Piracy was indeed well known in the Mediterranean, and the corsairs ranged in wider scope than often realized.

Victrix · 2nd February 2023, 11:47 AM

This sword was found in “The Collection of Arms of the Split City Museum” (Split City Museum, 2012) by Goran Borčić. It’s described as a Venetian navy sword from around 1560 and measures 83cm in total length. The author writes that the armed naval army of the Venetian Republic (Fanti del Mar nella Rep. di Venezia) was established in 1202 by Doge Enrico Pandolo. The plate guard is stamped with the Lion of St.Mark which is a proof mark of the workshops of the Venetian Arsenal. Similar arms are on display in the museum of Palazzo Ducale and Museo Storico Navale. [translated into English using Google Translate]

Victrix · 2nd February 2023, 06:27 PM

More pics

Victrix · 7th August 2023, 08:10 PM

There’s that shape on the blade spine again.

2nd February 2023, 11:47 AM	#3
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 691	This sword was found in “The Collection of Arms of the Split City Museum” (Split City Museum, 2012) by Goran Borčić. It’s described as a Venetian navy sword from around 1560 and measures 83cm in total length. The author writes that the armed naval army of the Venetian Republic (Fanti del Mar nella Rep. di Venezia) was established in 1202 by Doge Enrico Pandolo. The plate guard is stamped with the Lion of St.Mark which is a proof mark of the workshops of the Venetian Arsenal. Similar arms are on display in the museum of Palazzo Ducale and Museo Storico Navale. [translated into English using Google Translate] Attached Images

2nd February 2023, 06:27 PM	#4
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 691	More pics Attached Images

7th August 2023, 08:10 PM	#5
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 691	There’s that shape on the blade spine again. Attached Images

1st February 2023, 11:54 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,933	Thank you for the kind words Victrix! As Mark notes, these were closely related to the European dusagge (and variations dubbed 'Sinclair' sabers) and the Italian storta was certainly a key influence. Italian weapons and styles were often notably copied in other European arms making centers. Italian trade was also prevalent in many primary trade routes and sectors, so the transference of these weapons into other contexts was not only possible,but likely. Many Spanish arms of the 'conquistadors' of this period and later were actually Italian either in make or design. However in their case it was the rapiers, armor and helmets most prevalent. The extended shell guard on this storta is compelling, and as seen, resembles the type of guard on the sword held in this popular illustration. The 'cutlass' was not necessarily made distinctly as a 'cutlass' but any shorter, stout bladed sword would easily serve in that capacity. It seems that in some references, I have seen that pirates in some cases may have even referred to their swords colloquially as, 'their shell'. Piracy was indeed well known in the Mediterranean, and the corsairs ranged in wider scope than often realized.