Early 14th century AD. An iron long sword of Oakeshott Type XVIa with tapering blade and well-marked fuller; curved crossguard of style 6, oval pommel of style H1. See Oakeshott, R.E., The Archaeology of the weapons, London, 1960; Oakeshott, E., Records of the Medieval Sword, Woodbridge, 1991; Oakeshott, E., The sword in the Age of the Chivalry, Woodbridge, 1964 (1994); Oakeshott, E., Sword in hand, London, 2001. 1.1 kg, 97cm (38 1/4"). The property of a private family; previously acquired from a collection formed before 1990; thence by descent; accompanied by an academic report by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato. Type XVI swords are well represented in Italian paintings of early 14th century, so much so that Oakeshott suggested that the type may had an Italian or Southern European origin and base (Oakeshott, 2001, p.125"). The acute points, often reinforced, suggest that it was opposed to plate or mixed armour. Fine condition.