A cup hilt rapier for id.

[Philip]

Originally Posted by fernando

But while short grips in Indian swords were a (sort of) standard situation, i believe the majority of cup hilt swords grips had normal lengths, notwithstanding relatively short ones were so because as, the manner to hold the sword with finger/s wraping the front section, would not need them to be made larger.

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Fernando, you have an interesting sword here... blade ground to a "flamberge" profile, and the unusually short grip. Note that the knucklebow extends further back at its finial than the length of the grip would warrant -- it seems to be of "normal" size which makes me wonder if this was a rapier assembled by a cutler specifically for a customer of very short stature, using everything of standard size but cutting the tang down accordingly, or else it was a sword that started out typical but which was modified after-the-fact, some time later in its working life. Either way, it's an intriguing example for study.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Philip

Fernando, you have an interesting sword here...

Pity this one is not mine; actualy it belonged in a collection from which i have bought a couple examples ... but not this one.

Originally Posted by Philip

... Note that the knucklebow extends further back at its finial than the length of the grip would warrant -- it seems to be of "normal" size

A detail i confess i have overlooked .

Originally Posted by Philip

which makes me wonder if this was a rapier assembled by a cutler specifically for a customer of very short stature, using everything of standard size but cutting the tang down accordingly, or else it was a sword that started out typical but which was modified after-the-fact, some time later in its working life.

But then, one may wonder why, having to shorten the grip, at whatever stage, why not adjusting the knucklebow accordingly ?

Originally Posted by Philip

Either way, it's an intriguing example for study...

Indeed.