Italian rapier signed PICININO
 

Hello,

Not so long ago, I have aquired this cup-hilted rapier.

The blade is signed ANTONIO on one side and PICININO on the other side.

What do you think about this?! Is this a genuine Antonio Picinino blade?!

:shrug:

Mmmm ... Look for his mark somewhere; like on the ricasso, under the hilt guard, for one.


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The Piccinino family, especially Antonio and his son Federico, were such famous bladesmiths that their signature was often forged to enhance the value of the sword, I would guess. I have seen the signature in smaller letters but that does not mean anything untoward. I have seen that 'anchor' mark before but can't remember who or where it refers to. The hilt looks like a quality Neapolitan or Spanish one, but again there is no reason why such a hilt should not be fitted to a Milanese blade. Whether the blade is genuine Piccinino or not you have a fine rapier.
Neil

No other markings visible.

However, Antonio Picinino did not mark all his blades with the oval seal. See for example the rapier of Maximilian II (at the last page of the material cited at the link below).

https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...nceRapiers.pdf

Anyhow for sure the blade is of exceptional quality, at the right combination between stiffness and elasticity. And so is the engraving of the name with meticulously serifated letters.

I was only suggesting :o.
On the other hand, Gyngell attributes the mark in the Maximilian II sword to a different Picinini; who is right ? ;).


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The anchor appears on many blades of various smiths from various epochs (see for example the rapier illustrated at the link below, page 5 bottom, page 6 bottom, as well as the Maximilian II rapier on last page), and its significance is quite debated. It may be simply decorative. :shrug:

The overall quality of the rapier is indeed very good. Unfortunately, it was obviously over-cleaned and much detail of the hilt was lost... Yet, one can easily guess it was very meticulously done.

Yes!
;)