Tomas Aiala Cup hilt rapier.

[fernando]

Here is a comparison between a sword within mark and two examples off mark.
Says the author Eduardo Nobre that, while legal swords had five palms total length, these ilegal examples had seven palms of blade alone.
He proceeds saying that indeed their unsheathing and carrying around was rather problematic, besides the difficulty to fence with blades of such length, they managed to keep at distance the most adventurous adversary.

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[fernando]

The fame of ancient Toledan steels was based on the mastership with which some smiths handled its temper, without any technical knowledge nor any instrument able to measure, even remotely, the adequate temperatures for such treatment. The temperature they knew it by the color of burning steel and the time of immersion in the water, by means of prayer, verses or songs allusive to the craft. People in general attributed such quality of steel to the water of the river Tagus, in which swords were tempered.

[fernando]

Santiago de Palomares, author of the famous sword smiths nomina, also commissioned by King Carlos III in 1775 to create the Royal factory of swords in Toledo, left it written that, the steel that they spent in the fabrication of Toledan swords, since its beginning was that of the old factory of Modragon, unique in Spain at the time, celebrated in almost all world as rich and abounding and which swords, after some centuries, prevail today of quality so outstanding that they are appreciated by the major part of world nations for their strength, beauty and the finest temper.

[Jim McDougall]

Fernando, thank you so much for this exacting detail on the character of these weapons as well as the texture of their making and the atmosphere of the time. It is as always, colorfully described as you do masterfully, and makes me appreciate these all the more!!! (as if I could be any more obsessed with them!!!
Thank you,

Jim

[M ELEY]

Bravo, Fernando! I also wish to thank you on the dissertation of such magnificent blades! Just like Jim, I'm really taken in by these swords and their colorful history!

[fernando]

According to the legend, the first tempered steels were developed by mere accident in Toledo, where the Royal Armoury was located in the middle ages. Based on a mix of cruelty and servility, the royal smith had the idea to pierce a prisioner of war (probably a Moor or a sympathizer), captured in the wars against Arab domination. Needless to say that such sword had been turned red hot, to commit the symbolic act, ritual death or blood baptism, the result being overpowering; the sword has hardened or TEMPERED, using the body of a man as cooling agent of the process. Facing the discovery and after the surprise, all nobility commissioned their Toledana, upon which they ran out of slaves for the sacrifice and, by disastrous analogy and enemy despise, slaves were replaced by deer who died in the process, tempering swords, until it occurred to someone that the issue of having to kill someone or some animal for the temper of steel would be a superstition ... and so proofed by doing it with water, or oil, achieving the same results, and so it is done until now in this west side of the planet.

[ulfberth]

Kind regards Ulfberth ....

[fernando]

Ah ... a sword (rapier) without scabbard but with suspension belt.
Are these interestingly genuine examples ... both sword and suspender ?
Maybe (at the least) the suspender ia a replica ?
The sword looks huge ... how long is it ?

[ulfberth]

Hi Fernando,

The belt was a gift and is obviously not an Original, it just ads to the scenario, like a temporary frame , a bit like the box for the pocket pistols.
I tried to duplicate the scene of the movie Alatriste, as you can see in the picture.
The Espada ropera is 122 CM long and Original in all parts.

kind regards

Ulfberth

[Jim McDougall]

Magnificent rapier Ufberth!!!! and in that setting superb!!!
I had not even known on this movie, "Alatriste" but now that I do I must have it
It doesn't matter that the suspension device is not original, it looks amazing with this piece. Anyone with a true passion for these rapiers would be smitten with this grouping!
Thank you for this.

All the best,
Jim

[fernando]

Originally Posted by ulfberth

Hi Fernando,
The belt was a gift and is obviously not an Original, it just ads to the scenario, like a temporary frame ,

Pardon me, i was under the impression, in the context that, the sword & belt were implements used in the quoted movie.

Originally Posted by ulfberth

a bit like the box for the pocket pistols.

Ah, that was just a box i had around; not meant to replicate the real thing. I wish i could find a real antique case.

Originally Posted by ulfberth

I tried to duplicate the scene of the movie Alatriste, as you can see in the picture.

Movie just requested from a friend; i will have to see it.

Originally Posted by ulfberth

The Espada ropera is 122 CM long and Original in all parts.

So i bit 'off mark' for the period . A splendid example indeed; when i grow up, i want one

[fernando]

Curious event,
... In which Master Lucas, a Biscayne sword smith resident in Lisbon, having being found with four 'black' swords greater than the mark, was arrested and later released with 100 cruzados bail, from which he ended up being pardoned... not without having to pay 1000 reaes for the Hospital of All Saints.

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