|
27th September 2023, 10:46 PM | #1 | |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 154
|
Quote:
|
|
28th September 2023, 03:03 AM | #2 | |
Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 9,934
|
Quote:
Absolutely! always up for a mystery. Actually the blade length is indeed not exceptional , especially with Spanish rapiers, in fact the Spaniards were always ridiculed (cautiously) for their ridiculously long blades and the mysterious fencing techniques. Very interesting and well written study attached.....after 1615 the rapier blade began to give way to heavier arming blades, but hilts remained somewhat similar. Except the Spanish, who held to their cup hilts and narrow, long blades into the next century. That is why it is tempting to think of this anomaly as perhaps something Spanish colonial or even in rural regions of Spain. |
|
28th September 2023, 12:21 PM | #3 | |
(deceased)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Portugal
Posts: 9,694
|
Quote:
As for 'unusual' lengths, call it neighborhood syndrome, the Portuguese also dealt with such long 'off mark' swords, their blades eventually reaching 132 mm. length, as per known examples. |
|
28th September 2023, 02:11 PM | #4 | |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 154
|
Quote:
Could it, as Jim McDougall wondered, be Spanish colonial or even from Spanish rural regions? |
|
28th September 2023, 02:37 PM | #5 |
(deceased)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Portugal
Posts: 9,694
|
|
28th September 2023, 02:53 PM | #6 |
Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 9,934
|
As I noted earlier, with these kinds of anomalies, one can only speculate and evaluate with similar examples in being composite assemblies. As an eternal optimist I always try to find viable explanations, as this suggestion of these remote areas and the desire to 'wear a sword' but having sometimes only old parts or broken swords to work with. While many might consider such gestures silly or misguided, we cannot imagine the effort to emulate the traditions in such remote regions by those who manage to live in these conditions.
In the Mexican frontiers, the people were very aware of Spanish heritage, and virtually everything was recycled or made use of, so crude versions of the earlier weapons does not seem unlikely. I cannot imagine a dealer or collector trying to pass this example off as a true vintage rapier, thus my suggestion. |
|
|