View Single Post
Old 11th February 2023, 02:56 PM   #7
cornelistromp
Member
 
cornelistromp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,057
Default

It is splitting hairs and I'm happy with any length but what google and wikipedia say about it is about the length that we now measure of what we consider a rapier today.

I'll ask Jp puype the reference when I meet him again.
what I shortly could find about rapier lengths is:
Sir John Smithe refers in "Instructions, observations and orders mylitarie" 1595 - the rapier blade has a length of 1yard and a quarter and more. (bl+114cm)
George Silver Paradoxes of defence, London 1599 does not specifically state rapier length but does state sword blade length for men of tall statures of, a yard and three or foure inches, and no more. (+- 1 meter max).
In his opinion Rapiers were longer and could not be used in battle.
Together with the grip and pommel this comes to about 112cm allover length max. for swords and rapier to be longer.

best,
Jasper
cornelistromp is offline   Reply With Quote