Italian Crab-claw Infantry Sword, ca. 1620

Description

Iron hilt with symmetrical down-turned double quillons incised with checkered decoration
on the finials. Obverse with shell guard riveted to the quillon block and sandwiched
between two side rings, the larger ring with scalloped edges. Faceted ovoid pommel with
flattened button finial; original grip wrapped with coarse iron wire and finished with braided
copper turks heads top and bottom. Double-edged 29″ hexagonal-section blade with long
ricasso and 7″ central fuller stamped with “*IHS*” on both sides, with an additional mark
stamped below the fuller. Sword shows great age with dark brown patina, wear, and signs
of battle use. Overall length 34″.