SCHIAVONA, Napoleonic period (?) FERDINAND IV of Two Sicilies

Jim McDougall · 27th May 2024, 02:11 AM

Still at it-
As the Napoleonic period began, a coalition of European armies formed to defend, including Sweden, Russia, Holy Roman Empire, United Kingdom, Portugal and Naples and Sicily............known as the THIRD COALITION....in April,1805.
They were defeated by Napoleon at Battle of Austerlitz Dec.2,1805.
Napoleon then declared himself King of north Italian cities, and advanced toward Naples.

Ferdinand IV, his forces already defeated at Austerlitz, fled Naples to Sicily (Palermo) where British navy helped defend him there against French.

In southern Italy, in Naples the area of Calabria (Greek inhabitants) were fiercely loyal to Ferdinand IV and the Calabrian insurrection in these regions of the semi autonomous Neopolitan Republic (formed 1799) ended with the SIEGE OF AMANTEA (Dec1806-Feb1807).

With all of this, I would submit that this schiavona might be classified as a NEOPOLITAN SCHIAVONA OF THE THIRD COALITION, perhaps an officer of the forces of Ferdinand IV.
It may have been a heirloom hilt with later blade in accord with the rule of Ferdinand IV.

Those are my thoughts so far....what do you guys think?

Not sure if my facts are right on some of this, so corrections welcomed.

corrado26 · 27th May 2024, 07:54 AM

I cannot find any mistake in your conclusions that this Schiavona was a property of an Neapolitan officer of the army of Naples during the Third Coalition.

Jim McDougall · 27th May 2024, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corrado26

I cannot find any mistake in your conclusions that this Schiavona was a property of an Neapolitan officer of the army of Naples during the Third Coalition.

Thank you Udo. I feel strongly that this is the proper identification of this schiavona. What is curious is the use of a clearly much older (probably early 18th c. ) hilt with a blade which may have been of latter 18th c. or at least certainly had this inscription added during the reign of Ferdinand IV.
While the Two Sicilies designation became more 'officially' used after he was restored as the Napoleonic wars ended in 1816, he then became officially designated FERDINAND I.

The turbulence in Italy continued of course until the unification in 1861, which ended the dual kingdom/state of the Two Sicilies.

urbanspaceman · 27th May 2024, 05:48 PM

Hi Jim. My opinion is that this is a complete blade and hilt combination from c.1700 and the inscription was a later addition.

Jim McDougall · 27th May 2024, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbanspaceman

Hi Jim. My opinion is that this is a complete blade and hilt combination from c.1700 and the inscription was a later addition.

Thanks Keith, I rather like that opinion!!

fernando · 28th May 2024, 04:05 PM

Jm, allow me to post this sword. Only the inscription matches. This one is said to be from the Royal Regiment of Macedonia, Ferdinando IV (1765-180)5. Dates also don't match.

-

Jim McDougall · 28th May 2024, 06:44 PM

Fernando, THANK YOU! Thats a wonderful example, and actually those dates do coincide with the turbulent reign of Ferdinand IV. As you know PORTUGAL was one of the key elements of the THIRD COALITION.

This type hilt is similar to Venetian swords of munitions grade I believe of this period, but I dont have a photo of one, they're hard to come by.

Your example perfectly affirms the period of use of mine with this inscription but I think as Keith has noted, seems to be of earlier period with the inscription added in the 1765-1805 period.

27th May 2024, 02:11 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,809	Onward- Austerlitz and the Calabrian Insurrection Still at it- As the Napoleonic period began, a coalition of European armies formed to defend, including Sweden, Russia, Holy Roman Empire, United Kingdom, Portugal and Naples and Sicily............known as the THIRD COALITION....in April,1805. They were defeated by Napoleon at Battle of Austerlitz Dec.2,1805. Napoleon then declared himself King of north Italian cities, and advanced toward Naples. Ferdinand IV, his forces already defeated at Austerlitz, fled Naples to Sicily (Palermo) where British navy helped defend him there against French. In southern Italy, in Naples the area of Calabria (Greek inhabitants) were fiercely loyal to Ferdinand IV and the Calabrian insurrection in these regions of the semi autonomous Neopolitan Republic (formed 1799) ended with the SIEGE OF AMANTEA (Dec1806-Feb1807). With all of this, I would submit that this schiavona might be classified as a NEOPOLITAN SCHIAVONA OF THE THIRD COALITION, perhaps an officer of the forces of Ferdinand IV. It may have been a heirloom hilt with later blade in accord with the rule of Ferdinand IV. Those are my thoughts so far....what do you guys think? Not sure if my facts are right on some of this, so corrections welcomed. Last edited by Jim McDougall; 27th May 2024 at 03:27 AM.

27th May 2024, 05:48 PM	#4
urbanspaceman Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Tyneside. North-East England Posts: 522	ages Hi Jim. My opinion is that this is a complete blade and hilt combination from c.1700 and the inscription was a later addition.

28th May 2024, 04:05 PM	#6
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,667	Jm, allow me to post this sword. Only the inscription matches. This one is said to be from the Royal Regiment of Macedonia, Ferdinando IV (1765-180)5. Dates also don't match. - Attached Images Last edited by fernando; 28th May 2024 at 05:52 PM. Reason: Photo addition.

27th May 2024, 07:54 AM	#2
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,184	I cannot find any mistake in your conclusions that this Schiavona was a property of an Neapolitan officer of the army of Naples during the Third Coalition.

28th May 2024, 06:44 PM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,809	Fernando, THANK YOU! Thats a wonderful example, and actually those dates do coincide with the turbulent reign of Ferdinand IV. As you know PORTUGAL was one of the key elements of the THIRD COALITION. This type hilt is similar to Venetian swords of munitions grade I believe of this period, but I dont have a photo of one, they're hard to come by. Your example perfectly affirms the period of use of mine with this inscription but I think as Keith has noted, seems to be of earlier period with the inscription added in the 1765-1805 period.