Rapier ca.1610

Dmitry · 10th May 2012, 05:31 PM

This is a new addition to my small collection. Stylistically I would date the hilt to the last decade of 1500s-first quarter of 1600s.
The most unusual aspect of the hilt is the rear guard, which is completely filled with pierced steel plates between the branches of the rear guard.
Norman provides three types of rear guards with plates inserted into the grooves cut into the branches of the rear guard, types 13,32,33, but no example of the completely filled rear guard, which makes the hilt of this rapier very uncommon.
Wallace collection has 2 examples of this type, one being a Saxon rapier with two pierced plates inserted in the rear guard [the last photo], which is dated by the museum ca.1590-1600.
If anyone has examples of a similar arrangement, please post the photos.

10th May 2012, 05:31 PM	#1
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	Rapier ca.1610 This is a new addition to my small collection. Stylistically I would date the hilt to the last decade of 1500s-first quarter of 1600s. The most unusual aspect of the hilt is the rear guard, which is completely filled with pierced steel plates between the branches of the rear guard. Norman provides three types of rear guards with plates inserted into the grooves cut into the branches of the rear guard, types 13,32,33, but no example of the completely filled rear guard, which makes the hilt of this rapier very uncommon. Wallace collection has 2 examples of this type, one being a Saxon rapier with two pierced plates inserted in the rear guard [the last photo], which is dated by the museum ca.1590-1600. If anyone has examples of a similar arrangement, please post the photos. Attached Images