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#1 |
Lead Moderator European Armoury
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A topic initially posted by a new member in "The EARLY MAKERS TRADE MARKS" thread ... to be continued here, for further discussion.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...826#post264826 (As from post #302) Anyone to give some light on the marks of this beautiful rapier ? Last edited by fernando; 2nd August 2021 at 04:20 PM. |
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#2 |
Arms Historian
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Location: Route 66
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Still working on the inscription, but really hard to see the markings clearly as they are somewhat worn or poorly executed. Any way Robert that you could describe them as seen from hands on examination?
Also, as noted by Fernando, it would be good to see the ricasso to look for markings, and images of the pommel as well as inside of guard would help. What is the blade length. While screws seem unusual, and I am inclined to think these appear modern, Norman ("The Rapier and Smallsword", 1980) does describe various means of attachment where screws are used. Since they were often used inside the cup for securing the guardopolvo (dust cover) it would seem possibly for arms as well. The only part of the inscription I can make out is the 'PERO' noted by Fernando and possibly that is a misspell of Pedro. The symbols with horned circle in appearance could be the letter D or E, as similar cases in Spanish inscriptions used similar devices in place of those letters. This glyph has uses in zodiac (=bull) or the number 8, but not sure if applicable here. |
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#3 |
Lead Moderator European Armoury
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A certainty ... and an attempt ...
. Last edited by fernando; 4th August 2021 at 02:44 PM. |
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#4 |
Arms Historian
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![]() Very good attempt I would say! and almost too tempting, given that those symbols I mentioned in the inscription resemble the zodiac glyph for bull. ![]() It seem that in many inscriptions regarding place 'in Toledo' etc. use various spelling and abbreviations. In one case N T O L is used and the separation of the entire phrase or wording ends up on both obverse and reverse on the blade. Interestingly a number of the Solingen smiths who went to Toledo in the 17th century were appointed espadero del Rey (maker to the King) and often EN ALAMEIN (Germany) was in the inscription. |
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#5 |
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More photos as requested.
As far as my own impressions go I think the photos capture everything I observed. The museum got out 10 swords for us to measure weigh and photograph but they prefer to do most of the handling themselves. We were only scheduled for an hour and a half which we went over by half an hour thanks to keeping the curators interest with what we were able to identify just off the top of our heads. It still meant a bit of a rush though. Robert |
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#6 |
Lead Moderator European Armoury
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Jim, i am glad that you fully read my posts ... don't you ? Just kidding
![]() I mentioned a 'certainty' and an 'attempt'. The attempt was to guess that the 'TOL' letters could be a short for Toledo. And the certainty went for 'TORO' (the smith's name).The only letter that could look suspicious, the 'R', leaves no doubt when compared with the 'R' of Pero. Still we need some member familiar with this blade (and marks) to show up. . Last edited by fernando; 5th August 2021 at 03:56 PM. |
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#7 | |
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![]() Quote:
It seems like that R in Toro corresponds to the other R, but like the loop is flat or missing. It has to be an R though. |
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#8 | |
Lead Moderator European Armoury
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#9 | |
Arms Historian
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Location: Route 66
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![]() Quote:
You're right, another is missing inside the cup. |
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