If i may come in with my complicometer ...
Probably the (un) definition of the rapier per se would confine the reasoning on its purpose.
Also the sense of being a military would not be so much distinguishable in early times as it is now.
In a notion spread over here (Iberian peninsula) the rapier was virtually a civilian (fencer) weapon, however often seen with military. Not only with nobles that were simultaneously officers, namely captains in those days, but also adopted by regular forces.
I could swear i have read that rapiers were used by Portuguese nobles in the discoveries period ... contextually for combat purposes, together with the traditional left hand dagger.
The attached picture shows a lace hilt rapier (Norman-57*), with a 1,030 mt. blade, dated 1585-1640. There is evidence that a number of identical swords were consigned for a Bavarian troop corps.
I wouldn't doubt that rapiers had a civilan (fencing) birth, as at least some rapier variations were used in or for combat.
End of this nonsense round.
Fernando
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