A Spanish rapier Early 17TH century

[cornelistromp]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Jasper,


Can you offer thoughts on the curious mark at the forte , which looks like a crescent?

All best regards
Jim

the half-moon (crescent) single or double appeared frequently on the ricasso or on the middle of the blade, at blades from Toledo in the 16thC and 17thC.
Also Spanish marks like this were copied in production centers such as Solingen.
In the late 16th century there was largely and lively trade in weapon parts, such as blades. It is impossible to say whether this is a Toledo export blade or a German blade.Also it is difficult to determine where the rapier is put together.

It is, however, with probability, to say that the inscription is applied later on
given the poor Quality of it.

best,
jasper