SCHIAVONA
A sword carried by the guards of Venetian
doges during the 17th century. Later also used outside
Italy. The schiavona is a weapon of a unigue shape.
The most characteristic part of a schiavona is a baskethilt
forming a cone fully protecting the hand. The lower
bars of this basket are wavy twisted at the hilt similar to
the schiavona protection from the 15th century.
The hilt head, mostly made of brass
has the shape of cat head with a central oval target on
both sides. The straight blades of 800 - 850 mm long had
in most cases two cutting edges.These blades originated
from Italy, Germany and Spain.
Swords of schiavona type accompanied Venetian units up until
the middle of the 18 century to commemorate the time when Venice
was a great world power with formidable military and naval strength.
This sword disappeared at the same time as their independence
at the end of 18 century.
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