my favorite rapier

[Jim McDougall]

Good points on the spelling, and as always, these unusual spellings of Spanish words and names often reveal Solingen work. It seems I have seen these rather rough looking almost 'mechanically' styled openwork hilts on at least one other rapier I can recall that was Spanish. In the latter 16th century it seems to me that Spanish nobility often was strongly drawn to German arms and armor, despite the clear leadership of Italian makers in setting fashion in weaponry. There are known examples of German work among recorded conquistador arms and armor, though I cannot say this style is part of these.
What does Norman say on the hilt style ?, Im too lazy to look it up

[cornelistromp]

the sword??? of the Spanish admiral Alvaro de Bazan, first marquise of Santa Cruz who defeated the Turkish ships at the Ionic sea, Lepanto, 7 October 1571. The sword together with the keys of the town of Tunesia concered in 1535 by the troups of carlos I.

[cornelistromp]

I found out that among this Fleet of the Holy League who fought the Battle of Lepanto on 7 October 1571. there was a Venetian Galley in the left wing called:

Cavallo Marino (Seahorse) of Candia — Antonio De Cavalli

so with a little imagination (why not) this rapier could have belonged to the captain of this ship Antonio de Cavalli.

see.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_...rder_of_battle

and for Italian.
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battaglia_di_Lepanto_(ordine_di_battaglia)

The Left Wing
Commanded by Agostino Barbarigo (53 galleys, 2 galleasses)

Venetian Galleasses (2)
Galleass of Ambrogio Bragadin
Galleass of Antonio Bragadin
Venetian Galleys (39)
Capitana Lanterna (flagship lantern) of Venice (L) — Agostino Barbarigo, Proveditor General of the Republic
Capitana (flagship) of Venice (L) — Marco Querini, Proveditor of the Fleet
Fortuna (Fortune) of Venice — Andrea Barbarigo †
Tre Mani (Three Hands) of Venice — Giorgio Barbarigo
Due Delfini (Two Dolphins) of Candia — Francesco Zen
Leone e Fenice (Lion & Phoenix) of Candia — Francesco Mengano
Madonna (Milady) of Candia — Filippo Polani
Cavallo Marino (Seahorse) of Candia — Antonio De Cavalli
Due Leoni (Two Lions) of Candia — Nicolò Fradello
Leone (Lion) of Candia — Francesco Bonvecchio
Cristo (Christ) of Candia I — Andrea Corner
Angelo (Angel) of Candia — Giovanni Angelo
Piramide (Pyramid) of Candia — Francesco Bono †
Cristo Risorto (Risen Christ) of Venice I — Simon Guoro
Cristo Risorto (Risen Christ) of Venice II — Federico Renier
Cristo (Christ) of Corfu — Cristoforo Condocolli
Cristo Risorto (Risen Christ) of Candia I — Francesco Zancaruol
Cristo (Christ) of Venice I — Bartolomeo Donato
Cristo (Christ) of Candia II— Giovanni Corner
Christo Risordo (Risen Christ) of Candia II
Rodi (Rhodes) of Candia — Francesco Molini (Konstam gives Kodus)
Sant'Eufemia (St. Euphemia) of Brescia — Orazio Fisogni
Bravo (Skillful) of Candia — Michele Viramano (Konstam gives Blessed)
Cavallo Marino (Seahorse) of Venice
Cristo (Christ) of Candia III — Danielo Calefatti
Braccio (Arm) of Venice — Nicolò Lippomano (Konstam gives "of Candia")
Nostra Signora (Our Lady) of Zante — Nicolò Mondini
Christo Risordo (Risen Christ) of Candia III — Giorgio Calergi
Nostra Signora (Our Lady) of Venice I — Marcantonio Pisani
Dio Padre e Santa Trinità (God, Father & Holy Trinity) of Venice — Giovanni Marino Contarini †
Cristo Risorto (Risen Christ) of Venice III — Giovanni Battista Querini
Angelo (Angel) of Venice — Onfre Giustiniani
Santa Dorotea (St. Dorothy) of Venice — Polo Nani
Ketianana of Rethymno/Retimo — Nicolò Avonal
Lion's Head of Istria
Croce (Cross) of Cefalonia — Marco Cimera
Vergine Santa (Virgin Saint) of Cefalonia — Cristoforo Criffa
Cristo Risorto (Risen Christ) of Veglia — Lodovico Cicuta (Konstam gives "of Vegia")
San Nicolò (St. Nicholas) of Cherso — Colane Drascio
Some sources include:
Dama a cavallo (Lady on Horseback) of Candia — Antonio Eudomeniani
Leone (Lion) of Capodistria — Domenico Del Taco

[fernando]

Originally Posted by cornelistromp

... so with a little imagination (why not) this rapier could have belonged to the captain of this ship Antonio de Cavalli ...

Yes or, if not belonging to the Captain himself, making part of the Cavallo Marino galley arsenal ???.

[cornelistromp]

Originally Posted by Fernando

Yes or, if not belonging to the Captain himself, making part of the Cavallo Marino galley arsenal ???.

Hi Fernando,

Yes, of course that could also be possible, anyway i think we have to search in this direction because the wording CAVALO MARINO is highly unusual to put on a rapier.

regards,

pictures of Vitrine 04 of the Armeria Real in madrid

[Dmitry]

Hi,
A sword with a similar hilt is in the Cesta Castle armour collection, in San Marino. Perhaps CAVALO MARINO has something to do with the locale? [San] Marino Cavalry?

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Dmitry

... Perhaps CAVALO MARINO has something to do with the locale? [San] Marino Cavalry?

I don't know; i would be more inclined to associate this inscription to the Cretan Galley than to the enclave named after the Monk of Rab.
At least it sounds more coherent, as the dual word term (sea horse) form a plausible alegory.
It must be an interesting museum, by the way.