Matt, you make me drool. I'm a basket hilt lover through and through, but these Schiavona (which I've somehow not seen before) have taken me to a new level of jealously for your job and exploits in the world of blades. You bastard.
The sword you signed off with, the basket hilt resembles the rat lines that sailors would have climbed to deal with the sails and rigging, an homage to the venetian maritime heritage perhaps.
Amazing, I've been waiting for Matt to do this video for years. I love how the way the basket meets the pommel means these don't have the grip issues that mortuary hilts have.
Matt Easton signature schiavona next year? I bet that it would cost a kidney though, that guard looks like a pain to make. I also bet Todd can do it though🤔
Back when I regularly attended my club I borrowed one of these from a clubmate when we were doing baskethilt stuff (Silver). It fared very well and was very ergonomic, in my hand anyway
…….. So everyone felled would be sapphic cus a pussy would have made them gush (blood). :p The more brutal the pussy treatment the more wet they become
I have a replica of the last Schiavona you showed with a hilt by the late eb Erickson and a del tin blade. Lovely sword I’m very grateful to have such a faithful replica.
lovely! I'd love to see that hilt in person, I have seen some pics of Erickson hilts here and there. The del tin blade is very close to an original schiavona, but the hilt Del Tin makes (while being the best- imho- for sale as a production line item) is not up to the looks and feels of an original.
I really think you should work with LK chen to make a schiavana, particularly one with a crossbar through the basket. Theyve already made beautiful swept hilts.
I agree, having the opportunity for such a close look at real historical pieces and getting Matt's impressions on their construction, craftsmanship and feel as he handles them is a treasure.
As an American I’m more of a firearm guy, but I will say much like the older British sporting shotguns, I find the craftsmanship of the older swords such as these to be fantastic works of functional art and quite interesting and entertaining to see. 👍🏼👍🏼
Please make a video about basket hilts throughout Europe. I'd really like to know more about German & Saxon basket hills in particular. I'm a historical reenactment / HEMA person, so I'll be putting that knowledge to good use for my entire community. Glad you mentioned that basket hilts are not unique to Scotland & Italy. News to me. Cheers!
Id love to see that as well. Especially with the sheer lack of sources of information ive been able to find on the subject in English. Did look like there were a few in the background on some of his auction videos tho. So it's possible
Schiavonas also are associated with Croatian mercenaries from Dalmatia region, since Dalmatia changed allegiances from Venice to Hungarian kingdom (later Habsburg monarchy) quite a lot. Many examples of Schiavonas can be found in Croatia too, for example, in Trakošćan castle (Zagorje region), armory part of museum has 9 Schiavonas on display. The name Schiavona means Slavic woman (speaking as a Croat). If anyone is interested in some Schiavona representation, I recommend the game “Hellish Quart”, it’s a fencing game, kind of like Mortal Kombat with HEMA. One of the characters, specifically Kalstein uses a Schiavona (Type 2), his fencing style, according to fandom wiki is Meyer rapier.
I heard that the Italian greeting word ciaio comes from schiavo because most slaves in those days were Slavic people (schiavi and schiavoni in Italian)
@@kaloarepo288 yes and no (italian here): the term "schiavo" (slave) indeed comes from Slav people because when Ancient Romans fought them, they were enslaved in such a number that the vast majority of new slaves avaiable for purchase in Rome were Slavs, so they became basically sinonims. The greeting "Ciao", however, is much later: it comes from the middle ages and it was a shortening of venetian "sciao vostro", "schiavo vostro" (i'm your slave), but was meant not literally... it is more or less the same reason the Hobbits greet with a "at your service"
@@andreabeltrame1111 Someone of Italian extraction here but living in the Antipodes for a very long time. Your user name is very familiar and have known several families and indeed former parish priest (now deceased) with that name!Small world. The only point I differ is with the time period - Slavic people were totally unknown in the classical Roman world (not with that name anyway!) It happened in the Middle Ages after mass migrations of Slavic peoples into the Balkans and was particularly common in the Islamic world - the Skalaba or some word like that in Spain during the Islamic period who became free and in many cases took control of certain regions like the city of Denia where one group actually made plans to conquer Sardinia and indeed Italy -and this was one of the reasons for the launch of the First Crusade. Venetians and Genoese were of course prime players in this slave trade as well.
Thank you… THANK YOU for this video! I’ve been searching for a good comprehensive video on these beauties.. can’t wait to finally get to hold or have one of these.
Great video, thanks! Years ago, a former hema colleague and historian brought us a real schiavona and told us a fun fact: the pommel was shaped this way to represent the symbol of Venice, the winged lion. Really fascinating!
Thanks heaps for these videos Matt, these tours are invaluable for a sword maker across the pond. Far better than the views in books and even the better museum webpages. Gold mate 🥉 👍👍
Thank you for sharing some info and visuals about those beautiful swords with us, Matt. One of the characters in my books will eventually use an early version of the Schiavona, so additional info about their construction was extremely welcone.
This has always been one of my favorite basket hilted swords. I had only seen replicas until this video. Thanks Matt for this! These are some beautiful swords.
Does the basket hilt not evolve because a soldier whose primary weapon is a firearm cannot wear clumsy gauntlets, so the hand protection must move from the glove to the sword? You fire your pistol or matchlock or flintlock, the enemy is closing so you don't have time to reload, you must switch to your side arm, so you draw your sword. Now your hand is vulnerable -- unless the sword itself provides hand protection. By contrast, a soldier whose primary weapon is a glave or poleaxe or halberd or other polearm has gauntlets on already, and cannot use a basket-hilted sword because the gauntlet won't fit in the basket. The fact that the Schiavona is typically a cutting weapon indicates that it is a weapon of an age in which armour was not much worn. Very early medieval weapons are primarily cutting weapons because they predate the widespread availability of good armour. As armour becomes more prevalent, swords become more thrust centric. But firearms defeat plate armour, rendering it increasingly obsolete, and the primarily cutting weapon returns. I agree that some Schiavoni are the most elegant of swords.
Thanks for this vid. Have been fascinated by the schiavona design for a long time and glad you've presented a deeper dive into the history and aspect of the weapon. And they are also a beautiful design. Would really like to add one to my collection although I could never afford a historical example. Will have to keep my eye out for a decent replica.
Man i always loved that basket design, but never knew it had a thumb ring and other unique features, always cool to learn new stuff, cat pomel included. I do wonder if schiavonas with curved blades existed, i think it would be a lovely look, in any case, thank you so much for the video Matt
Thank you for this video. I own a very nice reproduction schiavona by Nicholas Cochiolo and Ugo Serrano, and it’s nice to hear more about the history of their design.
Glad you finally made a video on one of these, it's a really underrated sword (or well-basket/hilt) type. I saw a couple of these in a few museums here in the Balkans, mostly older types though, with the rectangle pommel.
Original Schiavona Scabbard, that is awesome catch - as the mercenaries came from Croats and close to so called Border Regions - Banat (later) inhabited by Magyar people (Hungarians) is it possible some mutual influence as the construction seems similar to original scabbards for Hungarian szabla. At least what I get from visual side of things and your description. +][+
Sounds like you just want a type XVI blade, wide base, fine peircing tip, probably 32-35 inches, in a schiavonna hilt. The blade is doable, the hard part is finding someone to make you the basket lol.
A fantastic and informative video! I love me a good Type 1 Schiavona when the thumb ring is comfortable. I have always thought the basket bars on a Type 1 resemble skeletal fingers wrapping around the hilt.
It's interesting to me how much of sword design is a balance between practical utility, manufacturing methods, and aesthetics (which itself is a result of an interaction between tradition and what-looks-cool). This style of basket hilt almost reminds me of the Art Deco movement, and I could imagine the bars being reworked just slightly to make an angel (or bird-man?) with wings back-swept.
I'd love to see you do a video on the different blades on schiavona. I've always seen quite a variation. It would be interesting to explore the spectrum of blades and their contexts.
I do love my basket hilted claymore here, but the Schiavona is maybe an even better design. Specifically the way the hilt meets the pommel seems to be more comfy and practical for other kinds of grips.
Matt, could you possibly do a video talking about the sword that's next to the arming sword that you show at 2:12? The one I'm referring to is to it's left side. It looks to me like it's a Hungarian pallasch sword/sabre. Would love for you to shed some light on this matter, and excellent video and production as always, cheers!
Matt, thank you. I love all your content. The skill of these artisans of antiquity always leave me in unbelief and awe. Out of curiousity, have you ever come across any sword/weapon that has been specifically designed/constructed for sinister as opposed to dexter?
Awesome! Matt and after several years he again touches on Schiavona and Schiavonesca! 'Tis a glorious day indeed! I was wondering since yesterday when I saw those Italian beauties on the wall behind you. South Central European Continental Baskehilts strong! Also wondering if the South German/Bohemian Continental Baskehilts will finally get some thorough Scholagladiatoria treatment? Thank you for all your work Matt! +][+
Yes they will, in a few days. So many good swords in this sale - I could have probably filled a whole second day of filming, but I only had one day to shoot unfortunately.
I get the same feeling as being in a really good university lecture on a topic, when I watch these videos. I am just entirely engrossed in the subject matter.
The thumb ring was new to me, but I found your video on it - good to know. It brings up something Ive wondered about, I handled a largish coffee pot that had a small tab on the back of the handle so one's thumb could hook over it to help lift its weight, and wondered if such a feature could be beneficial to improve control of a sword?
I used to have a customer who's last name was Schiavone. I informed her of the Schiavona sword and she said she was aware of Italian ancestry but had never heard of the sword.
I've heard of these but never seen one before, they're really cool, I just love the basket hilt and swept hilt look on swords and I'm not sure why. 👍👍 edit: I would love a modern reproduction of one of these but I'm still holding out hope you'll talk to your connections and get some reproductions of that giant Spanish Rapier you showed us several months back at an auction, bc that thing was awesome and it would be perfect size for me. Please Matt make it happen. 🙏🙏😂
The ultimate fantasy artist, Frank Frazetta, used schiavonas as a basis for his Barsoomian/Martian swords for his Edgar Rice Burroughs illos. Many Irish swords around the same time had those curled, foliate quillons.
Also referred to as "Spada all'Albanese" in some documents, cementing the balkan origin of the sword. Interestingly, a sword attributed to the Albanian prince Scanderbeg is depicted in a document from the Correr Museum in Venice as a form of schiavonesca with S shaped quillons and a square, brass (?) pommel.
In regards to the reinforcement to the scabbard, if they were issued to soldiers in the navy it seems reasonable they might want them to be reinforced because they'd be banging around all the things on deck, and such swords would probably use brass rather than iron.
Incredible video Matt. Not sure if you happened to film with the crab hilted sword behind you while you were at Olympia, but if not maybe you could do a video on that type of sword sometime. I've always been curious what the function of the double quillons would be and why they seem to be very particular to Italy. Object IX.165 at the Royal Armories is one I have always drooled over.
It catched on. As said, those were the closest to mass production a sword could be in 16th to 18th century. Venice exported them by the tens of thousands/year. They are one of the most common kind of sword you can find of their period of production. Scottish basket-hilt (that often had Venetian made blades) are more present in English-speaking imaginary but, as for production, much more schiavona had been made.
because complex hilts aren't for armored use, most miliarys have gaunlets or thick gloves, in order for this to be practical, you can't wear thick gloves or gauntlets, which means no winter use, and you can't use an polearm. although i like the thumb loop.
Matt, you make me drool. I'm a basket hilt lover through and through, but these Schiavona (which I've somehow not seen before) have taken me to a new level of jealously for your job and exploits in the world of blades. You bastard.
Yes, he's a total basterd and also, "sciavonas? Hey, we've got a BUNCH of them..." is a sentence I never expected anyone to ever utter 😂
I get what you feel. Aesthetically, the Schiavonas are my favorite sword.
From the Most Serene Republic of Genoa: Bloody Venetians! Their damn trinkets are always so elegant and charming!
From the Most Serene Republic of Venice: (blows raspberry)
My favorite sword type! I love how it combines hand protection with free wrist movement. If there is such a thing as an optimal hilt, this is it.
Bit lumpy for wearing out and about, perhaps. Agree that they are beautiful
So you are a basket hilt fanboy but haven't heard of schiavonia? Right.
The last one is absolutely gorgeous.
The sword you signed off with, the basket hilt resembles the rat lines that sailors would have climbed to deal with the sails and rigging, an homage to the venetian maritime heritage perhaps.
True! Especially with the "sag" forged into them, would've been much easier to keep the bars straight so there's probably a reason they're not.
Even before that I was thinking that the hilts would look like tall ships when the sword was being worn- complete with flag at the top!
Amazing, I've been waiting for Matt to do this video for years. I love how the way the basket meets the pommel means these don't have the grip issues that mortuary hilts have.
Hope you enjoyed it!
@@scholagladiatoria These examples are beautiful.
Matt Easton signature schiavona next year? I bet that it would cost a kidney though, that guard looks like a pain to make. I also bet Todd can do it though🤔
Love the resemblance of a pot leaf on the basket hilt @ 5:00 😂
The Type 2B Schiavona is one of my favorite sword designs, they have truly gorgeous guards.
Back when I regularly attended my club I borrowed one of these from a clubmate when we were doing baskethilt stuff (Silver). It fared very well and was very ergonomic, in my hand anyway
If those swords were still manufactured today, people would be putting *Hello Kitty* faces on those pommels.
…….. So everyone felled would be sapphic cus a pussy would have made them gush (blood). :p The more brutal the pussy treatment the more wet they become
Hi,
I’m venetian and I’m a schiavonas collector
All my compliments for the beautiful and comprehensive explanation!
Gorgeous swords!
Thank you!
Renato
The Venicians were cooking with this one.
How do you misspell a word that appears in the title.
Did they? It seems unwieldy for that.
I freaking love Schiavonas! Thanks for sharing these Matt!
I have a replica of the last Schiavona you showed with a hilt by the late eb Erickson and a del tin blade. Lovely sword I’m very grateful to have such a faithful replica.
lovely! I'd love to see that hilt in person, I have seen some pics of Erickson hilts here and there. The del tin blade is very close to an original schiavona, but the hilt Del Tin makes (while being the best- imho- for sale as a production line item) is not up to the looks and feels of an original.
I really think you should work with LK chen to make a schiavana, particularly one with a crossbar through the basket. Theyve already made beautiful swept hilts.
LK chen hilts are casted, I don't know if a schiavona hilt could come out nice that way
My all time favourite sword design, a perfect blend of elegance and effectiveness.
Who else is looking at all those swords behind Matt & is hoping he’s done a video on each & every one?
When will the Easton Schiavona be available through the Royal Armories collection?
more importantly, when available from Kvetun as a sparring version! xD
@@albertpolak786 yes please
oh, tell me this will really be a thing!!
I'd love to see it. The schiavona hilt is quite complex to make correctly, a production line sword with it would be amazing
@@albertpolak786 Kvetun has made schiavona in the past, but their relocation to Serbia has made them prioritize non-custom jobs.
Loving all of these auction videos! Keep up the good work!
Glad you like them!
I agree, having the opportunity for such a close look at real historical pieces and getting Matt's impressions on their construction, craftsmanship and feel as he handles them is a treasure.
Finally a video about schiavonas! Waited for this moment for years Matt! Awesome!
Awesome! I’ve been waiting for your video on this sword for so long. It’s one of my favorite swords. Great content. Cheers!
As an American I’m more of a firearm guy, but I will say much like the older British sporting shotguns, I find the craftsmanship of the older swords such as these to be fantastic works of functional art and quite interesting and entertaining to see. 👍🏼👍🏼
Please make a video about basket hilts throughout Europe. I'd really like to know more about German & Saxon basket hills in particular. I'm a historical reenactment / HEMA person, so I'll be putting that knowledge to good use for my entire community. Glad you mentioned that basket hilts are not unique to Scotland & Italy. News to me. Cheers!
Id love to see that as well. Especially with the sheer lack of sources of information ive been able to find on the subject in English.
Did look like there were a few in the background on some of his auction videos tho. So it's possible
Schiavonas also are associated with Croatian mercenaries from Dalmatia region, since Dalmatia changed allegiances from Venice to Hungarian kingdom (later Habsburg monarchy) quite a lot. Many examples of Schiavonas can be found in Croatia too, for example, in Trakošćan castle (Zagorje region), armory part of museum has 9 Schiavonas on display. The name Schiavona means Slavic woman (speaking as a Croat). If anyone is interested in some Schiavona representation, I recommend the game “Hellish Quart”, it’s a fencing game, kind of like Mortal Kombat with HEMA. One of the characters, specifically Kalstein uses a Schiavona (Type 2), his fencing style, according to fandom wiki is Meyer rapier.
Bro they are still used in folklore
ruclips.net/video/BgvonIYLoVs/видео.html
I heard that the Italian greeting word ciaio comes from schiavo because most slaves in those days were Slavic people (schiavi and schiavoni in Italian)
@@kaloarepo288 Slavic greeting for hi, would be Slava... then probably a balkan medieval version is Slavo! then you get Ciao!.
@@kaloarepo288 yes and no (italian here): the term "schiavo" (slave) indeed comes from Slav people because when Ancient Romans fought them, they were enslaved in such a number that the vast majority of new slaves avaiable for purchase in Rome were Slavs, so they became basically sinonims. The greeting "Ciao", however, is much later: it comes from the middle ages and it was a shortening of venetian "sciao vostro", "schiavo vostro" (i'm your slave), but was meant not literally... it is more or less the same reason the Hobbits greet with a "at your service"
@@andreabeltrame1111 Someone of Italian extraction here but living in the Antipodes for a very long time. Your user name is very familiar and have known several families and indeed former parish priest (now deceased) with that name!Small world. The only point I differ is with the time period - Slavic people were totally unknown in the classical Roman world (not with that name anyway!) It happened in the Middle Ages after mass migrations of Slavic peoples into the Balkans and was particularly common in the Islamic world - the Skalaba or some word like that in Spain during the Islamic period who became free and in many cases took control of certain regions like the city of Denia where one group actually made plans to conquer Sardinia and indeed Italy -and this was one of the reasons for the launch of the First Crusade. Venetians and Genoese were of course prime players in this slave trade as well.
It never stops to amaze me, the craftmanship in late medieval weapons its just mezmerizing.
Such beautiful weapons. I’ve loved them since I was a teenager.
Thank you… THANK YOU for this video! I’ve been searching for a good comprehensive video on these beauties.. can’t wait to finally get to hold or have one of these.
Absolute Banger Matt, cant wait for the next!!
About the leather sleeve: Venice is also notorious for being rainy and damp.
Could be waxed leather so I wouldn't matter
9:20 That’s the most beautiful basket hilt sword I have ever seen. I love Venetian swords.
Great video, thanks!
Years ago, a former hema colleague and historian brought us a real schiavona and told us a fun fact: the pommel was shaped this way to represent the symbol of Venice, the winged lion. Really fascinating!
Thanks heaps for these videos Matt, these tours are invaluable for a sword maker across the pond. Far better than the views in books and even the better museum webpages. Gold mate 🥉 👍👍
I'm now wishing you had/have made a whole series where you work through each of the awesome swords on the wall behind you.
Always wanted one of these. It is such a nice looking sword
Those schiavone are magnifiscent! I love the earlier ones, and the schiavonesce. So happy that you showed the one in the background, looks stunning.
Thank you for sharing some info and visuals about those beautiful swords with us, Matt. One of the characters in my books will eventually use an early version of the Schiavona, so additional info about their construction was extremely welcone.
This has always been one of my favorite basket hilted swords. I had only seen replicas until this video. Thanks Matt for this! These are some beautiful swords.
Ok, next Easton Royal armouries collab I need It to be Spanish Bilbo and Venetian Schiavona. I will 100% buy both.
I love Mats new forgotten swords
Oh, man. I’m so happy to watch this with my sons today.
Does the basket hilt not evolve because a soldier whose primary weapon is a firearm cannot wear clumsy gauntlets, so the hand protection must move from the glove to the sword? You fire your pistol or matchlock or flintlock, the enemy is closing so you don't have time to reload, you must switch to your side arm, so you draw your sword. Now your hand is vulnerable -- unless the sword itself provides hand protection.
By contrast, a soldier whose primary weapon is a glave or poleaxe or halberd or other polearm has gauntlets on already, and cannot use a basket-hilted sword because the gauntlet won't fit in the basket.
The fact that the Schiavona is typically a cutting weapon indicates that it is a weapon of an age in which armour was not much worn. Very early medieval weapons are primarily cutting weapons because they predate the widespread availability of good armour. As armour becomes more prevalent, swords become more thrust centric. But firearms defeat plate armour, rendering it increasingly obsolete, and the primarily cutting weapon returns.
I agree that some Schiavoni are the most elegant of swords.
That truly seems the case
Thanks for this vid. Have been fascinated by the schiavona design for a long time and glad you've presented a deeper dive into the history and aspect of the weapon. And they are also a beautiful design. Would really like to add one to my collection although I could never afford a historical example. Will have to keep my eye out for a decent replica.
Man i always loved that basket design, but never knew it had a thumb ring and other unique features, always cool to learn new stuff, cat pomel included. I do wonder if schiavonas with curved blades existed, i think it would be a lovely look, in any case, thank you so much for the video Matt
Thank you for this video. I own a very nice reproduction schiavona by Nicholas Cochiolo and Ugo Serrano, and it’s nice to hear more about the history of their design.
Matt, really liking these auction videos. Please keep doing this format!
Loved this video! As a maker, I'd love to see how that leather tube was constructed and more details on how that scabbard is constructed exactly
Glad you finally made a video on one of these, it's a really underrated sword (or well-basket/hilt) type. I saw a couple of these in a few museums here in the Balkans, mostly older types though, with the rectangle pommel.
God bless Matt, you always deliver so much knowledge, thank you.
I've loved the Schaivona ever since I read a Sword Forum International web article about it around 2003
Really been enjoying the Olympia Auction videos. What cool pieces!
Original Schiavona Scabbard, that is awesome catch - as the mercenaries came from Croats and close to so called Border Regions - Banat (later) inhabited by Magyar people (Hungarians) is it possible some mutual influence as the construction seems similar to original scabbards for Hungarian szabla.
At least what I get from visual side of things and your description.
+][+
Thanks for mentioning the close fitting baskets! I’ve seen a few cheaper reproductions, and they tend to have enormous baskets.
I’ve always wanted a schiavona that could be used as both a sidesword and a basket-hilt broadsword.
No.
The hilts could be. But the blades are fundamentally different.
Only if you have a screw tang and keep switching the blades out lol
@@Remainsofaruineddeadcursed-d7t you are dead wrong bruh. So wrong it hurts.
Sounds like you just want a type XVI blade, wide base, fine peircing tip, probably 32-35 inches, in a schiavonna hilt. The blade is doable, the hard part is finding someone to make you the basket lol.
Superb breakdown of this sword type. Thanks Matt!
Great video and always wondered about the history on these swords.
So cool thank you for all the amazing information and history
Man what a top end video! I learned so much!
Glad you enjoyed it!
One of, if not my actual favorite style of swords!
Wonderful video, Matt!
Ooh thank you!! I love this sword and watching you speak of it is awesome!! Day made.😊
My most favourite sword, i was waiting for this video for a long time.
A fantastic and informative video! I love me a good Type 1 Schiavona when the thumb ring is comfortable. I have always thought the basket bars on a Type 1 resemble skeletal fingers wrapping around the hilt.
It's interesting to me how much of sword design is a balance between practical utility, manufacturing methods, and aesthetics (which itself is a result of an interaction between tradition and what-looks-cool). This style of basket hilt almost reminds me of the Art Deco movement, and I could imagine the bars being reworked just slightly to make an angel (or bird-man?) with wings back-swept.
One of my favorite designs. So intricate.
This is a great history video. Would like to see more like this. Thank you.
I'd love to see you do a video on the different blades on schiavona. I've always seen quite a variation. It would be interesting to explore the spectrum of blades and their contexts.
2:12 would love a video on this
I do love my basket hilted claymore here, but the Schiavona is maybe an even better design. Specifically the way the hilt meets the pommel seems to be more comfy and practical for other kinds of grips.
One of the most limber and satisfying swords I have ever used.
The MattEastonScholagladiatoria Royal Armouries show treatment has been so good that I fear how much we'll be missing it whenever it stops 😢
Matt, could you possibly do a video talking about the sword that's next to the arming sword that you show at 2:12? The one I'm referring to is to it's left side. It looks to me like it's a Hungarian pallasch sword/sabre. Would love for you to shed some light on this matter, and excellent video and production as always, cheers!
Oh that is just beautiful. You really know how to make a lad jealous ;-)
2:12 More videos about those early swords, please! Why that cross guard, why such broad point of a blade, some history behind it...
Cheers!
Thanks for bringing that to us very informative.
That 3rd example is absolutely lovely.
I’ve always loved these.
Very interesting video! Thanks, Matt!
I like the auction visits. It's like a British forgotten weapons but for bladed articles instead of firearms.
Matt, thank you. I love all your content. The skill of these artisans of antiquity always leave me in unbelief and awe. Out of curiousity, have you ever come across any sword/weapon that has been specifically designed/constructed for sinister as opposed to dexter?
Yes absolutely we do find left-handed swords, and sometimes even paired swords (for left and right together). But they are very rare.
Awesome! Matt and after several years he again touches on Schiavona and Schiavonesca!
'Tis a glorious day indeed! I was wondering since yesterday when I saw those Italian beauties on the wall behind you. South Central European Continental Baskehilts strong!
Also wondering if the South German/Bohemian Continental Baskehilts will finally get some thorough Scholagladiatoria treatment?
Thank you for all your work Matt!
+][+
Yes they will, in a few days. So many good swords in this sale - I could have probably filled a whole second day of filming, but I only had one day to shoot unfortunately.
So is that older sword there 'schiavonesca', or is it wholly unrelated sword type, just coincidentally similar named?
@@terhazza older version was sometimes called that.
@@scholagladiatoria completely understandable. You have chosen true superstars of sword world so far :)
Still waiting and hoping this comes to pass
I get the same feeling as being in a really good university lecture on a topic, when I watch these videos. I am just entirely engrossed in the subject matter.
My two best favorit sword type, the schiavona, and the rapier ( the seord, and not the dagger )
( And the from sabre the cossack shashka )
Thanks for the history these types have interest me
The thumb ring was new to me, but I found your video on it - good to know. It brings up something Ive wondered about, I handled a largish coffee pot that had a small tab on the back of the handle so one's thumb could hook over it to help lift its weight, and wondered if such a feature could be beneficial to improve control of a sword?
I used to have a customer who's last name was Schiavone. I informed her of the Schiavona sword and she said she was aware of Italian ancestry but had never heard of the sword.
These are some beautiful swords.
I've heard of these but never seen one before, they're really cool, I just love the basket hilt and swept hilt look on swords and I'm not sure why. 👍👍
edit: I would love a modern reproduction of one of these but I'm still holding out hope you'll talk to your connections and get some reproductions of that giant Spanish Rapier you showed us several months back at an auction, bc that thing was awesome and it would be perfect size for me. Please Matt make it happen. 🙏🙏😂
it seems like it would be a lot easier to extend the blade with this than with the Scottish basket hilt, which kind of forces you into hammer grip
3:43 I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific than that Mr. Easton, there are thousands of cat memes.
The ultimate fantasy artist, Frank Frazetta, used schiavonas as a basis for his Barsoomian/Martian swords for his Edgar Rice Burroughs illos.
Many Irish swords around the same time had those curled, foliate quillons.
Matt... "That cat from the MEME." is the least specific way to be specific ever devised in the English language.
I’d love to see you do a similar deep dive into the Swiss basket hilt sabers.
My favourite type of sword, finally! 👍
Also referred to as "Spada all'Albanese" in some documents, cementing the balkan origin of the sword. Interestingly, a sword attributed to the Albanian prince Scanderbeg is depicted in a document from the Correr Museum in Venice as a form of schiavonesca with S shaped quillons and a square, brass (?) pommel.
I herd Scandinavian basket hilt. That is something I have never seen. Very interesting
In regards to the reinforcement to the scabbard, if they were issued to soldiers in the navy it seems reasonable they might want them to be reinforced because they'd be banging around all the things on deck, and such swords would probably use brass rather than iron.
Incredible video Matt. Not sure if you happened to film with the crab hilted sword behind you while you were at Olympia, but if not maybe you could do a video on that type of sword sometime. I've always been curious what the function of the double quillons would be and why they seem to be very particular to Italy. Object IX.165 at the Royal Armories is one I have always drooled over.
My favourite sword type since I found out about them back in 2000.
Love the look of those scabbards.
Great sword ! Wondering such a perfect design did not catch on ?
Circumstances and history
It catched on. As said, those were the closest to mass production a sword could be in 16th to 18th century. Venice exported them by the tens of thousands/year. They are one of the most common kind of sword you can find of their period of production.
Scottish basket-hilt (that often had Venetian made blades) are more present in English-speaking imaginary but, as for production, much more schiavona had been made.
because complex hilts aren't for armored use, most miliarys have gaunlets or thick gloves, in order for this to be practical, you can't wear thick gloves or gauntlets, which means no winter use, and you can't use an polearm.
although i like the thumb loop.