Pietro Hernandez swordmaker

[Jim McDougall]

As well noted by Fernando, the name Pedro in Italian parlance is Pietro.
The crucifix mark was used by some German makers (Coll, Clele) as well as Pedro Hernandez, who was of the famed Toledo family, whose patriarch was Sebastian (worked 1570-1600, but still living c.1637 (Mann, Wallace Coll. p.281).
His son Pedro worked c.1610-1630, while younger Johannes Hernandez worked around 1660 ("Rapiers" Eric Valentine, 1968, p.67).

The joining of Spanish and German names well illustrates the presence of German swordsmiths in Spain much in the manner of their presence in England.

As noted, many hilts, particularly rapiers, were fashioned in North Italy, and both the Solingen makers as well as the Spain based counterparts produced blades with spellings and entire surnames reflecting languages accordingly.

There were blades with Sebastian's name produced later spuriously (his genuine blades typically had his crowned 'Z' and the typically seen 'OT' and crescent moon which were known Toledo marks (Mann, op. cit. p.281)Spanish makers puncones were characteristically on ricasso.

Hopefully these details might assist in the assessment of this sword and its elements.

All best regards,
Jim