Rapier or smallsword PIERCED blade for comment

Atlantia · 4th February 2013, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valjhun

I've got thisone today. Sadly it seems shortened and attached to a funky corssguard and wooden hilt like for a toy.

The blade is gorgeous thou. I would say that it is pre 1700 from apperance.

Can you poste some pierced rapier/smallsword blades for comparison?

Any other comments?

Hi Valjhun,

Hmmm, a puzzle! It could be pre 1700, it could even be mid 18thC or just beyond.
It might have been shortened or adapted from the hilt end as well.
How long is the blade from crossguard to tip now?

ATB
Gene

Edit: Compare it with this section of a smallsword blade from the mid 18thC.

Atlantia · 4th February 2013, 09:30 PM

I've got a childs smallsword (so the pierced section is proportionally shorter) from the mid 18th with a pierced blade of similar type. Here is that section.

Valjhun · 5th February 2013, 12:45 AM

Thank you Gene. The blade is 59,5 cm long. Tomorrow I will dissasemble it and see what is under that silly hilt.

Atlantia · 5th February 2013, 11:03 AM

Before you disassemble it, can we see the whole thing?
Oh, and I sent you a PM that might be of help to your research.

fernando · 5th February 2013, 02:10 PM

This one figures in page 28 of R.D.C. Evans work "THE PLUG BAYONET".
Mounted in a hilt with a cross guard with 'Helmet-Head' finials (a XVII century fashion) we can see a perforated blade measuring 356 m/m, (quote Evans) possibly a re-used section of a rapier blade.
Pity he doesn't attribute a date to the blade ... for the sake of this discussion, i mean

.

M ELEY · 6th February 2013, 02:26 AM

Yes, please show the hilt! It seems that a lit of these rapier/smallsword blades were re-used to make daggers, naval dirks, etc. Not trying to jump the gun until I see the hilt, but the simple cross-bar might indicate a naval piece refitted for battle. I have a stiletto bladed dirk with a 16" blade. Just food for thought before you dis-assemble it.

M ELEY · 6th February 2013, 02:28 AM

Oops, I see now where you listed the length of approx 23". Perhaps too long for a dirk, but would still like to see the hilt.

4th February 2013, 09:30 PM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	I've got a childs smallsword (so the pierced section is proportionally shorter) from the mid 18th with a pierced blade of similar type. Here is that section. Attached Images

5th February 2013, 02:10 PM	#5
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Not dated but ... This one figures in page 28 of R.D.C. Evans work "THE PLUG BAYONET". Mounted in a hilt with a cross guard with 'Helmet-Head' finials (a XVII century fashion) we can see a perforated blade measuring 356 m/m, (quote Evans) possibly a re-used section of a rapier blade. Pity he doesn't attribute a date to the blade ... for the sake of this discussion, i mean . Attached Images

5th February 2013, 12:45 AM	#3
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	Thank you Gene. The blade is 59,5 cm long. Tomorrow I will dissasemble it and see what is under that silly hilt.

5th February 2013, 11:03 AM	#4
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Before you disassemble it, can we see the whole thing? Oh, and I sent you a PM that might be of help to your research.

6th February 2013, 02:26 AM	#6
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,207	Yes, please show the hilt! It seems that a lit of these rapier/smallsword blades were re-used to make daggers, naval dirks, etc. Not trying to jump the gun until I see the hilt, but the simple cross-bar might indicate a naval piece refitted for battle. I have a stiletto bladed dirk with a 16" blade. Just food for thought before you dis-assemble it.

6th February 2013, 02:28 AM	#7
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,207	Oops, I see now where you listed the length of approx 23". Perhaps too long for a dirk, but would still like to see the hilt.