17th century training rapier?

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Philip

... Looking at the tip of your sword, it seems to me that it got rounded as a result of combat damage, and quick re-grinding to make a usable point -- a radiused tip like that is still dangerous if an edge is made all round it. ... Their tips are expanded into either a button, or a "ball" with a very blunt conical face... I think that the tip of your sword is a bit more dangerous than that.

Ah, the button; is it a different context in that the French used a button they called "fleur de laine" (wool flower), after which they called their foils "fleurets". Interesting that in my lingo we use the galicism "florete".
Within my ignorance, i see the blade of Jean-Luc more fit to street fighting than to indoors school; its shape, the ricasso construction ... even the tracings of a smith's mark and an inscription ... if my eyes are not tricking me .