French (?) rapier 17th century

AHorsa · 12th November 2017, 06:23 PM

Dear All,

I want to present this rapier / small sword. The lenght over all is 102cm. The blade is 2,6cm wide. The grip consists of wood covered with leather. The blade shows the "Passauer Wolf".
The handle and pommel are decorated with "fleur de lys" which makes me assuming it is French.
I would date it to the mid of the 17th century, buit I am not too sure.

Any comments on it are highly appreciated.

Beste regards
Andreas

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 12th November 2017, 06:53 PM

It is interesting that ~

The revolution of 1830.

After the little revolution of 1830 in Paris, King Louis-Philippe ordered the suppression of the symbols of the old monarchy. The « Fleur de Lys » present on several sword patterns were erased.

I suspect that your Rapier is French but may be a German blade and showing the Passau Wolf in narrow form to comply with the limits of the "gutter" (the hollow or fuller.)

AHorsa · 12th November 2017, 07:00 PM

Hi Ibrahim,

yes, the blade might be made in Solingen.
Thanks for the interesting information on the "little revolution" in 1830.

Cheers
Andreas

corrado26 · 13th November 2017, 08:09 AM

In my eyes this is not a rapier but a campaign sword whose blade has been made not at Solingen but at Passau, what Ibrahim had said already.
corrado26

AHorsa · 13th November 2017, 09:16 AM

Hi Corrado,

of course the Passauer Wolf is the symbol of the Passauer blade smiths. But as far as I know it was adopted widely by other smiths. Most of the 17th century blades I know, wearing the Passauer Wolf, are assigned to Solingen concerning the smith´s stamps. But of course there might be also "original" Passauer blades.

What mkes you think it is a campaign sword? I assumed it to be a rapier cause of the pas d´ane rings. If it´s campaign sword it would be great.

Best regards
Andreas

mariusgmioc · 13th November 2017, 03:24 PM

The blade is rather long and strong but the hilt looks somehow disproportionate with respect to the blade and doesn't even alow a "rapier grip." So I don't relly know how such a sword would handle.

12th November 2017, 06:23 PM	#1
AHorsa Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Rhineland Posts: 367	French (?) rapier 17th century Dear All, I want to present this rapier / small sword. The lenght over all is 102cm. The blade is 2,6cm wide. The grip consists of wood covered with leather. The blade shows the "Passauer Wolf". The handle and pommel are decorated with "fleur de lys" which makes me assuming it is French. I would date it to the mid of the 17th century, buit I am not too sure. Any comments on it are highly appreciated. Beste regards Andreas Attached Images

12th November 2017, 06:53 PM	#2
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	It is interesting that ~ The revolution of 1830. After the little revolution of 1830 in Paris, King Louis-Philippe ordered the suppression of the symbols of the old monarchy. The « Fleur de Lys » present on several sword patterns were erased. I suspect that your Rapier is French but may be a German blade and showing the Passau Wolf in narrow form to comply with the limits of the "gutter" (the hollow or fuller.)

12th November 2017, 07:00 PM	#3
AHorsa Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Rhineland Posts: 367	Hi Ibrahim, yes, the blade might be made in Solingen. Thanks for the interesting information on the "little revolution" in 1830. Cheers Andreas

13th November 2017, 08:09 AM	#4
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,204	In my eyes this is not a rapier but a campaign sword whose blade has been made not at Solingen but at Passau, what Ibrahim had said already. corrado26

13th November 2017, 09:16 AM	#5
AHorsa Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Rhineland Posts: 367	Hi Corrado, of course the Passauer Wolf is the symbol of the Passauer blade smiths. But as far as I know it was adopted widely by other smiths. Most of the 17th century blades I know, wearing the Passauer Wolf, are assigned to Solingen concerning the smith´s stamps. But of course there might be also "original" Passauer blades. What mkes you think it is a campaign sword? I assumed it to be a rapier cause of the pas d´ane rings. If it´s campaign sword it would be great. Best regards Andreas

13th November 2017, 03:24 PM	#6
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,903	The blade is rather long and strong but the hilt looks somehow disproportionate with respect to the blade and doesn't even alow a "rapier grip." So I don't relly know how such a sword would handle.