Hi Spiral,
thankyou for your comments.....it seems there are other factors which suggest this is a 'useable' bludgen
Further playing......I mean testing ....
the sword (rapier) feels right when excecuting a forward thrust, accurately striking a small target (with very little practice), the point easily penetrates a thick cardboard tube (the type carpets are wound around).
It seems that the CoP is 27" from the pommel (overall length is 41").
The pivot point (explaination below) is approx. 3" from tip ..suggesting a thrusting sword.
The harmonic balance of the sword is approx. 3" above the 'cup'...a thrusting sword, I understand, requires it to be nearer (and sometimes within) the guard....
""Pivot Point: When holding a sword at the top of the grip (where the grip meets the guard), point downward, between thumb and forefinger, move the sword back and forth with gentle movements of the hand. The sword will naturally pivot between your fingers and there should be a spot either along the blade or at the point where the blade seems to remain stationary. This is referred to as the pivot point -- the proper location of the pivot point will vary depending on the purpose of the sword -- a thrusting sword should have a pivot point located at the very tip of the blade point, a cutting sword may have a pivot point close to or corresponding to the CoP."" QUOTED FROM ALBION SWORDS.
http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/sword-terms.htm