A Large Spanish Cup Hilt

Jim McDougall · 21st January 2016, 10:03 AM

Ulfberth, thank you for these additional examples!
It does seem that Milan was distinctly part of the Spanish provincial regions under the Habsburgs until the beginning of the 18th c. This is in my view one of the things which often makes regional or national identification of many rapiers so challenging. While the cuphilt was of course mostly associated with Spain and Portugal, many were indeed Italian.
Therefore the scallop shell device in motif seems of course represented on many weapons accordingly.

ulfberth · 21st January 2016, 03:55 PM

Of course Jim, the origin or the place were a certain style or fashion emerged would in time be further dispersed to other countries.
The sword makers of the period must have inspired and influenced each other as Toledo inspired Solingen etc etc

Kind regards

Ulfberth

CSinTX · 22nd January 2016, 02:42 AM

Thank you everyone for all of the information!

Fernando, I looked closely and could not find any smith marks that are exposed. It did remind me though, that I forgot to take photos of the "anchors" located just forward of the fullers. I know these are common but could someone remind us if they have a certain significance or if just simply decoration?

cornelistromp · 22nd January 2016, 07:05 AM

Hi,

unfortunately the anchor is not a mark but was used by the blade smith as an orientation point to indicate the end of the fuller, and of course also has a decorative function.Sometimes the shape gives some more information about the origin, in this case the double anchormark looks a spltted cross which could imply an Italian origin.however this is purely speculation.

best,
Jasper

22nd January 2016, 02:42 AM	#3
CSinTX Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 233	Thank you everyone for all of the information! Fernando, I looked closely and could not find any smith marks that are exposed. It did remind me though, that I forgot to take photos of the "anchors" located just forward of the fullers. I know these are common but could someone remind us if they have a certain significance or if just simply decoration? Attached Images

22nd January 2016, 07:05 AM	#4
cornelistromp Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,060	Hi, unfortunately the anchor is not a mark but was used by the blade smith as an orientation point to indicate the end of the fuller, and of course also has a decorative function.Sometimes the shape gives some more information about the origin, in this case the double anchormark looks a spltted cross which could imply an Italian origin.however this is purely speculation. best, Jasper Last edited by cornelistromp; 22nd January 2016 at 07:29 AM.

21st January 2016, 10:03 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,284	Ulfberth, thank you for these additional examples! It does seem that Milan was distinctly part of the Spanish provincial regions under the Habsburgs until the beginning of the 18th c. This is in my view one of the things which often makes regional or national identification of many rapiers so challenging. While the cuphilt was of course mostly associated with Spain and Portugal, many were indeed Italian. Therefore the scallop shell device in motif seems of course represented on many weapons accordingly.

21st January 2016, 03:55 PM	#2
ulfberth Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 426	Of course Jim, the origin or the place were a certain style or fashion emerged would in time be further dispersed to other countries. The sword makers of the period must have inspired and influenced each other as Toledo inspired Solingen etc etc Kind regards Ulfberth