This is a classic example of the Venetian basket-hilted broadsword early in its evolution. It is of Oakeshott type 2 form as illustrated in European Weapons and Armour, pl.15 B (dated 1630-60). The 33 5/8" blade is broad fullered at the forte with a large inscription each side, now indecipherable. The right fuller is stopped with a lightly pressed mark. The Venetian Republic, at the time comprised most of the north east Italian peninsula as well as the territories to the north of the Adriatic and the west the north Adriatic coast. It represented the frontier with the Ottoman Empire. This sword would have served a mounted soldier facing an Ottoman horseman armed with a scimitar. The Venetian would have been Italian or as likely, a Slavic mercenary.