Thanks very much Alan for the kind words
Spunjer thanks too, and for adding the additional photos. The pictures Gene added give us exactly the image of how the blade would have looked, and this extremely nice rapier has the 'Sahagun' inscription often used on these Solingen blades. Note the characteristic symbols or sigils that are typically seen in these blades as well, which are added to imbue magical or talismanic properties and as quality guarantees. The exact character of these and attribution cannot with confidence be attributed to particular makers or periods, but certain consistancies seem to exist which are not yet fully documented.
While we know of an early 17th century rapier for a boy with this name on the blade, we do not know exactly the style of the blade. Since this blade seems to correspond to what I believe are Solingen examples of latter 17th century, it seems quite possible this is a Solingen blade using the name.
The possibility that it is in fact a 17th century blade to this maker also remains possible with more evidence supporting the existence of the maker in Italy.
The symbol or sigil that looks like a cursive M may be either an astrological symbol (virgo, scorpio?) or a sigil of undetermined meaning which were often adopted by makers and applied along with these names.
The hilt appears of course to represent the Royal crowns of the United Kingdom not only in its shape as a crown, but the cross pattee, or often considered Tuetonic cross as seen on these crowns....and.below it the shamrock. During and after the Napoleonic Wars the fluer de lis was removed from the Royal coat of arms and typically was present on the crowns. The harp of Ireland was added in the quarter on the arms, and perhaps the shamrock takes the place on the crown as here. For this reason, and the regal theme I think this is an assemblage from the early blade and cast mounts about mid to latter 19th c.
Very nice dagger which has a nice dirk presence to it.
All best regards,
Jim