A historical and metallurgical characterization of a ''falchion'' sword manufactured in Caino (Brescia, northern Italy) and dating from the early 17th century was performed to understand the manufacture methods of a Renaissance sword. At first, a set of size measurements was carried out to look for the existence of constant and/or recurring macroscopic sizes, which would indicate a standardized production, or of any type of proportionality between different parts of a sword, which would prove an intentional design activity. Light optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, quantometer analyses, and Vickers microhardness tests were then employed to analyze the microstructure and obtain the mechanical properties. All the metallurgical work is supported by an accurate study on the chemical composition of both metal-matrix and nonmetallic inclusions, which allowed for rebuilding and evaluating the efficiency of the whole production process.

The history of Brescia (Latin Brixia), a city in northern Italy, is characterized by a long manufacturing tradition, in particular the crafting of steel weapons and armor. This was made possible thanks to the availability of iron ore, the great forests from which to obtain charcoal, the numerous streams used as the driving force for power hammers and forges, but most importantly the ingenuity and industry of the people. Beginning in the pre-Roman age, the skills of the masters and craftsmen steadily progressed over the centuries, until Brescia and its vicinity became one of the most important arms production centers in Europe between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries. This paper presents an overview of the weapon manufacturing region of northern Italy, in particular Brescia. Moreover, a metallurgical study performed on an early seventeenth century north Italian “storta” sword has shed light on historical sword-smithing technologies and enabled us to discover the secrets behind the high-quality Italian weapons.

A metallurgical study of a Renaissance spearhead from northern Italy was performed to provide new deep insights into both smelting and smithing technologies which are involved in the manufacturing process. Optical microscopy observations, Vickers microhardness measurements, and optical emission spectroscopy analyses demonstrated that the spearhead was skillfully assembled and shaped from different steel bars, and a slack-quenching heat treatment was performed on the blade to improve its functionality. The chemistry of a large sample of nonmetallic inclusions was characterized by scanning electron microscopy coupled with X-ray dispersive spectroscopy. A multivariate statistical data treatment based on logistic regression was applied to assess the technological origin of the steel bars. The results allowed to conclude that the spearhead steel was obtained following the indirect steel-making route. The temperatures reached during both smelting and smithing stages were estimated in the FeO–SiO2–CaO system at 1470 °C and 1200 °C, respectively.

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At least two editions and six reprints of the work of Marozzo are known today (cf. Bibliography). The first edition of this masterpiece of the "Bolognese tradition" is the one of Modena in 1536. However, Gelli mentions in his bibliography a prior edition, "similar to the edition of Modena", dated 1517 and kept in the R. Biblioteca Pisana. 1 This first edition, if it ever existed, was never found again -or at least never mentioned in publication other than by referring to Gelli. 2 * We are indebted to Mr and Mrs Terminiello for their revisions and suggestions.1 His brief description: "Carte 181; di cui l'ultima non numerata. Le tavole sono simili a quelle dell'edizione modenese". Gelli, Bibliografia Generale della scherma, p. 130.