Italian Shell Guard Broadsword, ca. 1630

Description

Featuring forged iron hilt with long down-curved scrolling quillons with simple chiseled decoration and large upturned shell guard. Original, intricately faceted and grooved wood grip with decorative iron base ferrule, made without wrap; faceted bun-shaped pommel with button. Unmarked, broad 31 3/4” blade of flattened diamond section. The blade cleaned and smooth, with signs of lamination and tiny pin-prick pitting and a few shallow edge nicks. Guard somewhat loose, probably due to shrinkage of the wood grip. Similar example illustrated in “Armi Bianche Italiane”, example 591. Wood grips were commonly found on swords used in the New World, as opposed to the wire or leather wrapped grips of most European counterparts. This exact sword illustrated in “TREASURES OF THE CARIBBEAN”, by Rodney Hilton Brown on page 286. Formerly in the War Museum Collection. Overall length 37 5/8”.