New Sword Collector Seeking Input

[werecow]

What is unusual with this example is that the style of decoration in the base of the guard with the face etc. to me resembles that of English hilts of early to mid 17th. Also in Norman ("Rapier and Small Sword 1400-1820", ) the pommel form seems to be close to pommels 60,62 which are English, Dutch early-mid 17th c).

That also fits in well with the other rapier with a dish hilt; looks like a cavalier hilt from that era and its motifs are very similar to those of mortuary swords from the English civil war (including the face on the knuckle bow and the decorations on the guard).