Extendable Rapiers

[Jerseyman]

In 2012 the Wallace Collection in London staged an exhibition entitled 'The Noble Art of the Sword' with weapons drawn from many European collections, including the Royal Armouries. I took many pictures including some of the RA's extendable rapier.

I'm not sure just how practicable the design would be - unless I'm misreading the structure of the sword it doesn't actually look as if the actual length from pommel to point would change. Only the position of the guard. I may be wrong.

Apologies for the quality of the pics - as usual it's difficult getting good shots through reflective glass.