Very Rare 15th-16th C. Italian Venetian SCHIAVONESCA Broad Sword, the Predecessor of Famous Basket Hilted Schiavone, with its Distinctive S-shaped Crossguard & Early Large Version of Cat's Head Pommel. Mounted with Broad Double-edged Fullered Blade Bearing Several Markings to Each Side, Including a Gothic Crusader Symbol. Original leather to the Grip. A Beautiful Example Overall and an Exceptionally Battle-efficient Weapon. ~~~ Schiavonesca (in Italian: spada schiavonesca, "Slavic sword") was a type of sword characterized by a S-shaped crossguard that originated in late 14th-century Serbia and was used by knights in the Kingdom of Hungary and Republic of Venice during the 15th and 16th centuries. ~~~ The Ottoman expansion and conquests saw north- and westward migrations of Serbs, initially within the Serbian state (the Serbian Despotate) and then to the neighbouring Hungary and Venetian Dalmatia. In Hungary, the Serbian population was very active in defending the southern border against the Ottomans. The production of this type of sword became more typologically uniform in Hungary and Venice. ~~~ The oldest specimens are estimated to date to the last decades of the 14th century, a period when Serbia was in constant conflict. The oldest mention is from the will of blacksmith Dobri? Bunisali? dating to 1391, held at the Ragusan Archives: "...doe spade schiavonesche...". ~~~ The name originated from the Balkan Slavs who used such swords in Venetian service. The term Sclavonia was the common Ragusan name for Serbia, for the most part of history its neighbouring state. ~~~ Total length (inside scabbard if present) : 40 3/8", Blade length : 34". DEAR BIDDERS, Please View More Detailed Close-Up Images by visiting our website - Sofedesignauctions.com ~ Thank you ! Detailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at info@sofedesignauctions.com