European spado di lato sidesword
Measurements
This sword has had a most interesting history. The blade came to TherionArms with
an assortment of other swords from a circa 1920's to 1960's Hollywood prop
collection. At the time, the blade was mounted with a damaged French Model 1788
Dragoon basket that was beyond redemption. The blade had also at one time been
chromed, most likely by the prop shop. We noticed that underneath the chrome
(which was badly peeling) it looked like the blade was laminated steel, so we
stripped the chrome and discovered yet another mystery - a marvelously flexible
laminated steel blade with an off-set fuller and non-symmetrical edges. It seems
that this blade was once (most likely the mid to late 1700's) a single edged
backsword. As backswords became less popular in the 1800's, it was carefully
reground to have two cutting edges. It presumably then saw further military
service before being surplused and bought by Bannerman's Militaria who sold many
old weapons to Great Western Costume, the aforementioned Hollywood prop house.
The backsword turned broadsword was chromed and rehilted with the M1788 Dragoon
hilt, used through the Golden Age of Hollywood films, and then languished until
it was found by TherionArms and resurrected by weaponsmith Tom Hyle. In it's
current incarnation, this sword is now hilted in the style of a mid-1500's "spado
di lato" sidesword, as seen in the illustrations of Achille Marozzo's 1534
treatise "Opera Novo", which detailed fighting techniques with the sidesword and
buckler combination, leading to later rapier combat styles.
A truly amazing and well-travelled, well-historied sword with a magnificent
blade!
length: 36"
blade: 30 3/4"
blade width: 1 3/8"
grip and pommel: 4 3/4"
guard: 4 1/4"
weight: 1 lb 4.4 oz
