Italian rapier signed PICININO

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by NeilUK

I have seen that 'anchor' mark before but can't remember who or where it refers to.
Neil

The anchor appears on many blades of various smiths from various epochs (see for example the rapier illustrated at the link below, page 5 bottom, page 6 bottom, as well as the Maximilian II rapier on last page), and its significance is quite debated. It may be simply decorative.

The overall quality of the rapier is indeed very good. Unfortunately, it was obviously over-cleaned and much detail of the hilt was lost... Yet, one can easily guess it was very meticulously done.