View Full Version : German rapier - help ID needed
wolviex
3rd December 2025, 11:30 PM
Dear All,
I'm in need to find a help in identifying these marks found on Saxon rapier. I was told they can be found in Steffan Kinman book "European makers of edged weapons". I don't have an access to this book at the moment, so I need your help (ASAP) :o
https://iili.io/fIF2j2t.md.jpg (https://freeimage.host/i/fIF2j2t)
Thank you in advance.
werecow
4th December 2025, 01:06 AM
I did find these keys, though not the letters.
Iohannis/Johannes Kirs(ch)baum (the Younger?), maybe?
Also, please post a picture of the complete sword.
Jim McDougall
4th December 2025, 01:26 AM
Probably Iohannes Kirsbaum Solingen c.1600
On p.43 Kinman,
A Iohannes Kirsbaum was Nestor of the Solingen church in 1591.
This would match the initials and the key, however as usual he used odd variables of the running wolf and cross and orb as well.
On a reiterschwert inscription JOHANNIS KIRSBAUM an orbot, wolfs mark and key.
An unknown Spanish swordsmith also used the key mark (Real Armeria de Madrid, cat.G13 fig.110)
wolviex
4th December 2025, 06:52 AM
@Werecow
@Jim
It should be it! Thank you so much!
For legal reasons I can't post the whole sword at the moment, but this is exactly the same hilt as here in Dresden, RA or MET (just different blade):
https://skd-online-collection.skd.museum/Details/Index/286406
https://royalarmouries.org/collection/object/object-95
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/23042
PS. Good to see you're still active here, Jim! Ahh, memories... And sorry for jumping in all of a sudden after so many years with only requests.
Jim McDougall
5th December 2025, 09:07 PM
Hi Michal,
Yup, it been a few years!!! I always wondered where ya went!!Its great to see you back. So many people here have vanished, I think its the facebook thing.
Last I heard was your book ten years ago....I hope it did well.....your expertise in Polish arms is most valuable!!
All the best,
Jim
wolviex
7th December 2025, 07:50 PM
I'm afraid I'm not "back" in full meaning of the word. Especially since I never went away! I was just not logged in :D.
And yes, people come and go; I think that's just the natural way of things. Not only because of Facebook. It's just life... and I was (and still am) just very busy with mine ;)
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