Cup-hilted rapier

[qusko]

Adding photos of quite nice rapier with elaborately decorated cup bowl.
Total length is more than 120cm (47 inches).
Wire seems to be later.

Unfortunately there is no marks on the blade, nor the hilt.

Can you share more on potential provenance?

[fernando]

Interesting sword, qusko. I wish i could help with some precision; other than reminding that Spanish smiths (also) made these XVII century solid cups with (chiseled) decorations and motifs with trophies and busts (Wallace Collection for one). What i have never seen is how the cup bowl is fixed with its screws from the outside.


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[qusko]

Originally Posted by fernando

Interesting sword, qusko. I wish i could help with some precision; other than reminding that Spanish smiths (also) made these XVII century solid cups with (chiseled) decorations and motifs with trophies and busts (Wallace Collection for one). What i have never seen is how the cup bowl is fixed with its screws from the outside.


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Hi Fernando,

I have found some examples at http://www.thais.it/citta_italiane/f...ert/pag_05.htm

Some rapiers are described as North European, German ... in Spanish style.
Maybe that's the trace...

In terms of screws, I guess it was in use.
Some examples here:
https://vicentetoledo.es/sites/defau...rdapolvo_0.pdf

Also in the book of A.V.B Norman you have that fixing option (screws outside of the cup) described in hilt type 100 (similarly hilt 102, 104)

Decoration in that rapier is made with 2 techniques
- chiseling
- repoussing / boning

[fernando]

Please forget what i wrote about the fixation screws, as i used the wrong expression. What really happens is that cup bowls are usually held to the tang in two ways; either welded to the quillon rims or with two screws or rivets holding the bowl by fixing it to two interior arms.
What i actually meant to say is that i never saw these screws featuring such portruding heads, as being part of the decoration.


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[qusko]

Originally Posted by fernando

What i actually meant to say is that i never saw these screws featuring such portruding heads, as being part of the decoration.
.

Indeed not typical...

I've found some example with strange add on on the cup (on top of the screws)

[fernando]

Yes, a show off detail. I suspect that such example, like yours, is not a practical fighting sword, but one to adorn the attire of a wealthy owner. Would you agree ?