Heavy Rapier

CSinTX · 1st July 2019, 08:41 PM

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 · 1st July 2019, 10:12 PM

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.

.

NeilUK · 2nd July 2019, 01:07 AM

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 · 2nd July 2019, 06:47 AM

Quote:

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 ?

.

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 · 2nd July 2019, 06:10 PM

Thanks for the comments.

The base of the blade measures 3.4cm across.

fernando · 2nd July 2019, 07:21 PM

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

Philip · 2nd July 2019, 07:41 PM

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.

1st July 2019, 08:41 PM	#1
CSinTX Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 233	Heavy Rapier 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. Attached Images

1st July 2019, 10:12 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	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. . Last edited by fernando; 1st July 2019 at 10:27 PM.

2nd July 2019, 07:41 PM	#7
Philip Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,036	Agreed! 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.

2nd July 2019, 01:07 AM	#3
NeilUK Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Scotland Posts: 125	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

2nd July 2019, 06:10 PM	#5
CSinTX Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 233	Thanks for the comments. The base of the blade measures 3.4cm across.

2nd July 2019, 07:21 PM	#6
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Ah ... a vigorous riding sword. What say you, Filipe ?