Metallurgical analysis of two renaissance swords

After a brief introduction to the steelmaking and sword forging techniques, used in northern Italy between the 15th and 16th centuries, two swords manufactured in this historical and geographical context, and preserved at the L. Marzoli Arms Museum in Brescia, Italy, are here examined. Several cross-section specimens were obtained from the pommel, guard, tang, and blade of each sword, and were characterized by means of optical metallography and microhardness testing. The experimental results are reported in detail, and the possible production routes of the examined artifacts are thereafter hypothesized and discussed on the basis of the same results and of the historical techniques.