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Originally Posted by RSWORD
I do think it is a rapier blade and would not be surprised if beneath the handle there is the typical ricasso found on these early rapiers. The fullering is quite nicely done although I cannot tell from the pictures if the waves were forged or created from stock removal. They lack the "grace" of forged waves but we do not have good close up shots of these areas of the blade. The blade shows a tremendous amount of surface wear and corrosion and I tend to think it is quite early, possibly 16th or 17th century.
It would be really, really nice if this blade could talk. Who knows how a very early rapier blade ended up in an old weapons collection in the Congo. If we agree the "etchings" are much later than the blade, perhaps the blade had already been converted into a walking cane which was not uncommon in the 18th and 19th century and found it's way to Africa via missionary or other routes and therefore was not mounted up in Africa but elsewhere and left behind by a 19th century visitor.
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I'd bet those were hot stampings rather than etchings Rick .
If this were a sword cane ; at 37" inches it would be one helluva draw to get it out .
Were I the owner I'd send it to Craig for a proper hilting; then again I'm not the owner .
I think it's beautiful yet still I wonder; did they halfsword with a rapier ?
The rapier appeared not too long after halfswording was an accepted technique .
I wonder was there an overlapping of styles at some point .