Cup hilt rapier, need help
 

Hello,

today i have an elegant Cup hilt rapier for the forum, i think from Spain or Italy.
The blade saw more than one duel, both sides of the edge are full of nicks from attack and parry. Only the upper half of the blade has nicks on both sides of the edge, this gives us an idea, how the blade was once used in duel.
The feeling and control of the very flexible blade is incredible, the point of balance is only ~2 inches (50mm) after the cup.

The fullers on both sides have latin inscriptions, which i cannot translate completely.
One side: FIAT FIDEDLIBUS
Other side: FAIT FIDELITAS
"FIAT" and "FIDELITAS" are clear, but what means "FAIT" and "FIDELIBUS"?

Measurements:

Length: 47 inches (1200mm), blade only: 39,5 inches (1003mm)
Weight: 37 oz. (1050 Gramm)
Point of Balance: 2 inches (~50mm) after the Cup

Any coments are welcome, concerning the age of the cup for example. The blade is around 1650 (?) but i am a little unsure about the cup.


Kind regards
Roland

Apparently both inscriptions are prity relative.
While Fidelitas mean fidelity (faithfulness), Fidelibus is the pluriel for Fidelis, which means faithful.
Let's see what the connoisseurs say about the cup hilt.

Hello Fernando,

thank you very much for your comment and translation.

Here are two examples of this cup from the 19th century.

They are different in some details compared with my cup, but i tend to believe, that the hilt of my rapier is much younger than the blade.

Regards Roland

I would reckon that FAIT on the second side is a mistake for FIAT which is then repeated though not necessary. I would then translate the motto as
'Let there be faithfulness to the faithful' or 'Let there be loyalty to the loyal'.

About the cup it is very difficult to say just from a photo. Sorry.

Neil

Hello Neil,

thank you for your input. Your translation makes sense.
The only "FAIT" that i could found is french.

Maybe they have written "FAIT" because it sounds better if spoken.


Regards Roland