colonial spanish cup hilt rapier

Jim McDougall · 11th March 2019, 09:45 PM

This is indeed a Spanish colonial style cuphilt sword, not rapier though. It is an 'arming' sword used by military forces and these seem to be munitions grade weapons used in these Caribbean and Central and South American regions. It is generally held these were of mid 17th into 18th century, and of course recalled the famed Spanish cuphilt rapiers.

This example appears to have a Solingen type blade of 18th c form, and the sword itself seems to have been perhaps acid cleaned and refurbished. The pommel in brass seems atypical for these. In colonial settings these swords remained in use for long periods even generations.

These are always intriguing and with a certain rugged charm to them.

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11th March 2019, 09:45 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,284	This is indeed a Spanish colonial style cuphilt sword, not rapier though. It is an 'arming' sword used by military forces and these seem to be munitions grade weapons used in these Caribbean and Central and South American regions. It is generally held these were of mid 17th into 18th century, and of course recalled the famed Spanish cuphilt rapiers. This example appears to have a Solingen type blade of 18th c form, and the sword itself seems to have been perhaps acid cleaned and refurbished. The pommel in brass seems atypical for these. In colonial settings these swords remained in use for long periods even generations. These are always intriguing and with a certain rugged charm to them.