Heavy Rapier

[CSinTX]

Does anyone recognize the copper inlaid X's in the blade? Thoughts on age, origin, other similar examples, etc? Measures 118cm. It's heavy but balances very well in the hand.

[fernando]

Beautiful piece indeed; would not mind to have it .
Because, precisely as you say, being a 'heavy' piece, i would (personally) call it a (swept hilt) sword, not a rapier. Can you tell the blade width at its base ?
I would not know what the mark represents, but certainly not Spanish ... i would say.
Others will hopefully have a better judgement.


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[NeilUK]

I don't know about the single cross but the more elaborate mark on the first detail photograph is the reichsapfel, an imperial mark of a large cross fourche' surmounted on a girdled sphere, found very often on southern German blades of the 16th and 17th centuries.
Neil

[Philip]

Originally Posted by fernando

Beautiful piece indeed; would not mind to have it .
Because, precisely as you say, being a 'heavy' piece, i would (personally) call it a (swept hilt) sword, not a rapier. Can you tell the blade width at its base ?



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Nando, the proportions of the blade do indeed suggest a cut-and-thrust weapon more properly termed a riding-sword, or spada da cavallo. Let's wait for the width measurement to come in, to be sure.

[CSinTX]

Thanks for the comments.

The base of the blade measures 3.4cm across.

[fernando]

Ah ... a vigorous riding sword. What say you, Filipe ?

[Philip]

Yes, Nando, it definitely looks equine to me. Come to think of it, the verbal description provided a big hint because a true rapier, being a thrusting weapon should have a livelier more responsive balance without the greater mass that is desirable in a sword that would also be usable for cutting.

CS, I like the style and proportions on the hilt, congratulations on a beautiful sword.