Rapier maker marks

Jim McDougall · 1st June 2020, 05:23 PM

I agree with CS, it seems to be a 19th c. mounting fabrication, probably using an older German blade. The mark is of the Weyersburg family and of the 'konigskopf' (kings head) type they typically used, in variation and in number. These have often been seen in groups of anywhere from one to four heads with some variation in the stamp through the generations.

In late 17th/18th c. England there was a location (I forget details further but believe described in Aylward, 1945) where blades were imported and sold in lots to 'sword slippers' to be mounted. One of the main thoroughfares was 'fluer de lis' street, where auctions and sales thrived.
The fluer de lis mark may be considered possibly for this outlet, though much more research would be required.

In any case, I think this may be an 18th century blade used for a 19th c. version of a rapier as a 'smoking room' antique, which were actually well made and in great demand in the baronial decor of Victorian times.

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1st June 2020, 05:23 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	I agree with CS, it seems to be a 19th c. mounting fabrication, probably using an older German blade. The mark is of the Weyersburg family and of the 'konigskopf' (kings head) type they typically used, in variation and in number. These have often been seen in groups of anywhere from one to four heads with some variation in the stamp through the generations. In late 17th/18th c. England there was a location (I forget details further but believe described in Aylward, 1945) where blades were imported and sold in lots to 'sword slippers' to be mounted. One of the main thoroughfares was 'fluer de lis' street, where auctions and sales thrived. The fluer de lis mark may be considered possibly for this outlet, though much more research would be required. In any case, I think this may be an 18th century blade used for a 19th c. version of a rapier as a 'smoking room' antique, which were actually well made and in great demand in the baronial decor of Victorian times.