Rapier or Riding Sword?

[Cathey]

Hi Guys

I was looking at an early riding sword in my collection the other day, which caused me to re-examine this sword. Most of my early swords are displayed rather high up on the wall so I tend to neglect them for a while.

This sword dates around Circa 1590-1610 (17th Century)
Nationality: I think it's German?
Over Length: 43 1/8” 109.6 cm
Blade length: 34 ½” 87.6 cm
Blade widest point: 1 ½” 3.6 cm
Hilt widest point: 6 ¾” 17 cm
Inside grip length: 3 3/8” 8.4 cm
Marks, etc: Unusual Queen’s heads and “.:IANANNI:

Description
Rapier or Riding Sword, German? 17th Century Thirty Years War Period, broad double edged blade 34 ½ inches long, deeply struck on both sides with three Queen’s heads and “.:IANANNI:.” In the short fullers. Two shell guards flattened pas d’ane rings, bars quillon and Knucklebow, Swollen pommel, woven steel wire bound grip.

General Remarks
I have not been able to find another example of a sword with these very distinct Queens Heads in any of my research. I have a number of books on sword marks but these stamps are so distinctive. They might be clean shaven kings, but they look pretty effeminate to me.

This sword was purchased from Wallis and Wallis early in our collecting and listed as a rapier. Recently when I compared it to the riding sword I own given its blade width I now consider it may also more accurately fit the riding sword description.

References:
BLAIR, C. European & American Arms. Plate 123-126
OAKESHOTT, E. European Weapons and Armour. Pp 160 “Shell Guards”, & 163. Plate 12©.
WAGNER, EVARD, Cut and Thrust Weapons Pp 183, plate 3.
WILKINSON, F. Edged Weapons. Pp 42-43 &47.

Cheers Cathey and Rex

[Jim McDougall]

Regarding these markings, the three regal heads, I do not think these are 'queens' heads, and while the name in the blade fuller is obviously Italian, it seems quite likely these stamped heads are as well. In Boccia & Coelho there are some blades which have triplicate groupings in this type configuration.
While the hilt itself seems more northern European, I think this may well be an Italian blade, and I think the period early 17th c. proper.

The use of female heads in sword blade markings as far as makers marks or stamps seems extremely rare, actually R.D.C. Evans notes,
" ...#24- MAIDENS HEAD- the only female head noted amongst recorded marks, this blade makers mark occurs on one Hampton Court bayonet".
This mark to Philip Penn 1668.

JAAS, Vol. XVII, No.6 , Sept. 2003,
"Cutlers Marks on English Plug Bayonets: A Survey" , RD.C. Evans, p.306

While obviously in England, a bit later and regarding bayonets, the example is just to illustrate that female heads in such stamps are unlikely.

The unbearded character with it seems curly hair somewhat recalls certain types of blackamoor head in many varying marks. While these are typically turbaned there do seem to be cases where crowned, but have yet to locate them.

While realizing that the observation terming these heads as 'queens heads' is simply descriptive, I just wanted to add more on their character .

Nice sword!!! of course!! and always great to see this wonderful thread continued Thank you Cathey

[iskender]

possible a blade from solingen made by a member of the wundes family ; johannes wundes the younger, he like his father (ore me) where analphabets ,i have a rapier from his father,there is one in the met. the spelling of johannes,iohannis, etc.is allways slighly different. greetings good luck further investigatins! iskender

[ulfberth]

Hello Cathy,

the sword you presented has an Italian design or style to it, but it could also be south German or Styrian.
In Germany they call this type a riding sword or in everyday language even schwert rapier which means sword rapier, here are some other examples of riding swords or sword rapiers.

kind regards

Ulfberth

[Cathey]

Hi Guys

I think Jim might be on the right track suggesting the marks on the blade are blackamoor heads; I had only discounted this due to the crowns. If anyone has an example of a crowned blackamoor I would be very grateful. I also agree that this sword should be categorised as a riding sword and does have a Italian look about it. Also I think Iskender is probably right and that blade is solingen made by a member of the wundes family ; johannes wundes the younger. I just wish I could find evidence that links these strange crowned heads with him of someone else definitively.

Cheers Cathey and Rex

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Cathey

Hi Guys

I think Jim might be on the right track suggesting the marks on the blade are blackamoor heads; I had only discounted this due to the crowns. If anyone has an example of a crowned blackamoor I would be very grateful. I also agree that this sword should be categorised as a riding sword and does have a Italian look about it. Also I think Iskender is probably right and that blade is solingen made by a member of the wundes family ; johannes wundes the younger. I just wish I could find evidence that links these strange crowned heads with him of someone else definitively.

Cheers Cathey and Rex

Thank you Cathey,
In continuing to search for plausibility in my blackamoor head suggestion, I found one example in heraldry with a crown, though as I noted the uncrowned blackamoor head is significantly well known. I found the attached example in the arms for the See of Freising, in Southern Germany.
This would seem to align with the observation made by Ulfberth in the likelihood of South Germany with this style sword.

The triple configuration as I previously noted is seen in a number of Italian markings in grouping, and can be seen in the triple arcs at the end of the fuller near the cross as well.

I would point out here that the Wundes kings head markings are of course quite different. In Gyngell p.,46) there is an uncrowned unbearded figure of this blackamoor type shown to Matanni of Solingen.
In Boeheim (p.663) there is a crowned kings head to Antanni Matanni c.1550 listed in Italy.

In Gyngell (p.40) there is one of these uncrowned heads as well as the crowned kings head both to Martino Antonio of Solingen.

it would seem these blackamoor heads were somewhat comingled between crowned kings heads and uncrowned blackamoor type heads as were apparently Italian smiths between these centers.

I would be inclined to think of this sword, clearly early to mid 17th c. to bear markings used by Italian makers in this variation and configuration probably in S. Germany or Styria as suggested. and reflecting the influence of the Solingen markings combined with more standard kings heads.