A well decorated cup hilt for comment

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

This sword is probably a favourite when I consider best European swords... It seems to call for a well trained swordsman and has an air of seniority about it. Seen below with similar hilts for comparison.

Described as~

A) Italian rapier, c.1610. Of true swept-hilt form, it has deep chiseling to the knuckle guard.

B) A North European dueling rapier, c.1635, with a distinctive elongated and fluted pommel.

C) A Spanish cup-hilt rapier, c.1660. The cup and hilt are extensively pierced. It has very long, straight, slender quillons with finials to each end.

D) An English rapier with a finely chiseled cup hilt, c.1650. The blade is stamped “Sahagum”.

[Foxbat]

As others already indicated, the pommel does look suspicious, a far more traditional form would be as in the picture below, but without actually examining the item I would not declare it a replacement.

The grip wire is undoubtedly rather poor replacement. Most good examples of that style have finer grips. Here is the picture of the similar rapier, where I redid the grip wire - it improved the appearance quite a bit.

[Victrix]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

As others already indicated, the pommel does look suspicious, a far more traditional form would be as in the picture below, but without actually examining the item I would not declare it a replacement.

The grip wire is undoubtedly rather poor replacement. Most good examples of that style have finer grips. Here is the picture of the similar rapier, where I redid the grip wire - it improved the appearance quite a bit.

Can the pommels typically be unscrewed from the tang?

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Victrix

Can the pommels typically be unscrewed from the tang?

Many like the one in the first post are; mine are. Probably Foxbat's example also.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

As others already indicated, the pommel does look suspicious ...

May i ask, which of the above pommels you say that looks suspicious, Foxbat ?

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by fernando

May i ask, which of the above pommels you say that looks suspicious, Foxbat ?

I meant the first one.

I believe mine is peened, does not unscrew, but I will double check later today.

PS. Yes, peened.