Identification of rapier

[Tordenskiold1721]

Does anyone know who made this rapier, or what it is ?

[Jim McDougall]

That would be tough to guess from a simple single photo with no detail, dimensions, markings on blade, description of the rather elaborately decorated hilt (are those jewels?), it seems gilt with blue enamel etc.

I'm guessing this is not your sword so not at hand, if so, are any details offered in its listing? Have you researched anything thus far which might be of help?

Rapiers, which this obviously is, were typically hilted by artisans who often created these hilts by commission for notable persons and following local and current fashion. While structurally the hilts followed the locally favored forms the client could of course specify any additional features, or of course decoration they wanted.

Though by this virtue, many rapiers might be of a certain style but with decoration and special features, essentially 'one off'. The blades were another matter, and might have little to do with the classification of the sword as far as regionally or often even period, other than being a 'rapier' blade.

While of course you already know all this, I just wanted to add my thoughts on identification of these swords for general readers.

[Tordenskiold1721]

You are correct in pointing out that this rapier is not in my possession.

It is a rapier that I hope can be identified with ease

The hilt is decorated with gold leaf on blue with white enamel, covered with diamonds. The blade is signed De Tomas De Aiala.

[Tordenskiold1721]

The Rapier provenance and purpose:

https://www.kongernessamling.dk/en/r...ghthood-sword/

Below I attached a photo of Christian IV riding sword that he wore when entering the Danish phase of the 30 year war as Duke of Holstein for the protestant cause.
Not starting of very well lousing the battle at Lutter am Barenberg, 27 August 1626. Below his riding sword we see the Danish line break to Tilly's Catholic army:

[Jim McDougall]

This pommel form is most unusual, termed fishtail in Wallace Coll. (Mann, 1962, #634). Norman, (AVB Norman, "the Rapier and Smallsword 1400-1820", N.Y.1980) which notes it being seen on a 'few' rapiers in artwork on Dutch characters in early 17th c. (1610-1615).
Here the pommel is classified as type 41, early 17th c.(see attached).

The blade seen in the Wallace Collection example is with the name
PETTHERR WIRSBERGH, a Solingen bladesmith in early 17th c. and the sword (A634) is dated c. 1610.

The TOMAS AIALA blade, if authentic, would date late 16th-early 17th c. (c.1625) but by mid 17th his name was being spuriously used on Solingen blades. The Spanish were of course in these times holding Flanders (1556-1714) so perhaps this rapier might be regarded as 'Flemish', pending a better description by the experts here.

This seems a presentation or regalia type rapier possibly made in a commemorative sense given the ostentatious decoration, but without hands on examination it would be hard to say for sure. With provenance and being associated with a particular person where its being made might be described, who made it will be unknown. The blade would have been random acquisition from Toledo (if in fact Aiala) or Solingen.......either way, only funding punzones near ricsasso might confirm.

If this sword is of the pedigree suggested (there must be some wording with the picture) it is likely pretty high end, especially if provenance can be found.

[Tordenskiold1721]

You might have missed that the rapier was made as Christian IV’s Knighthood Sword from around 1617. The date as according to the Royal Collection at Rosenborg Castle:

https://www.kongernessamling.dk/en/r...ghthood-sword/

[Jim McDougall]

we crossed posts!
After posting I saw your addition of the detail and provenance of this sword, thank you for unveiling this information.
It is always helpful to add what you already know of the sword or weapon you are inquiring about. I once made a query to a well known museum and to a well respected author concerning a weapon said to be one thing, while other evidence said otherwise.
I was told by a dealer acquaintance NOT to add the research detail I had already gathered so as not to bias his response or assessment.

Some time later he responded, and when I responded back, I noted his version corresponded to what I had already learned.
I was severely reprimanded, with his saying if I had told him that in the first place it would have saved him weeks of research.

With this, I already had an idea for sources, so only spent an afternoon compiling data, which I actually enjoy anyway but Im just sayin'.
Rather than a blind query, add all you know so we here so inclined can move forward in accord.
I did not SEE the provenance detail as I was still working on my conclusion in which we crossed posts, and I had not reread the thread, so that was on me.

Thank you for posting this very interesting sword, and now adding the historical provenance I was suggesting. It is not surprising that a rapier style of this stature would be found at the Royal level in Denmark.

[Tordenskiold1721]

I noted his version corresponded to what I had already learned.
I was severely reprimanded, with his saying if I had told him that in the first place it would have saved him weeks of research.

Your story is not an uncommon way to confirm research on items that some times can be complex.

I usually leave out the part were the assisting expertise confirmed my own research, and give full credit to the one that helped me confirm or sent me on a better path.

It is an approach that has worked well for me, and it makes good people feel good about their good work. Lets call it being tactful

Christian IV(1588–1648) mounted on his horse with the riding sword posted further up in this post in hand: