Basket hilted backsword

Ron Anderson · 13th October 2010, 07:53 AM

Hi Cathey

I do like rapiers. On this one I'm not that impressed with the hilt. The quality of it does not look great. And this I think is an indication that it may be a Victorian era piece, where the purpose of such swords was for display purposes only. The best guarantee for me that the item is truly early is in the quality of the workmanship. Copyists generally did not have the resources or motivation to provide the same level of quality in the work. The blade may be older, I don't know. The wire on the hilt certainly looks new.

I would let it go. There will be opportunities to buy a better item. Unless you're happy with a Victorian copy.

While I am not certain it is a Victorian copy, I have learned to trust cognitive dissonance (that intuitive feeling that something is not quite right). On these sorts of item, that may be the best guide in determining a good from a bad buy.

13th October 2010, 07:53 AM	#1
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Hi Cathey I do like rapiers. On this one I'm not that impressed with the hilt. The quality of it does not look great. And this I think is an indication that it may be a Victorian era piece, where the purpose of such swords was for display purposes only. The best guarantee for me that the item is truly early is in the quality of the workmanship. Copyists generally did not have the resources or motivation to provide the same level of quality in the work. The blade may be older, I don't know. The wire on the hilt certainly looks new. I would let it go. There will be opportunities to buy a better item. Unless you're happy with a Victorian copy. While I am not certain it is a Victorian copy, I have learned to trust cognitive dissonance (that intuitive feeling that something is not quite right). On these sorts of item, that may be the best guide in determining a good from a bad buy.