- Andrew Ferrara
Andrew Ferrara, was a make of sword-blade highly esteemed in Scotland in the 16th and 17th centuries. The name is supposed to be derived from the name of the manufacturer, according to some, Andrea dei Ferrari of
Belluno , according to others, Andrew Ferrars or Ferrier ofArbroath . ["Chambers 20th Century Dictionary", W. & R. Chambers Ltd., Edinburgh, 1983]According to some, "Andrea Ferrara" is a generic name, commonly labelled and found on numerous lade-mediaeval and Renaissance swords throughout Europe. In keeping with the same, it is held that the name was essentially a mark of quality, for "Ferrara" means 'farrier' or 'blacksmith', in Italian and Italian swords were prized for their high quality leading to the Andrea Ferrara stamp giving them an air of quality.Fact|date=September 2008
Their method of manufacture remains much a mystery, but it is suspected that they were made by interlamination, a process of welding the blade in alternate layers of iron and steel. Andrew Ferrara blades were special in their extreme flexibility. For instance, it is said that Andrew Ferrara, the manufacturer of the blades, always carried one wrapped up in his bonnet. They rarely broke, even under immense force and when used to deal horizontal blows. ["The Foreign Quarterly Review - Volume 26", Treuttel and Würtz, 1841 ]
Generally mounted in a
basket-hilt or in that of aclaymore , Andrew Ferrara blades were prized possessions, being passed down the generations as heirlooms.References to them are fairly common in Scottish literature of the 17th to the early 19th centuries.
References
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