Identification of rapier

[Tordenskiold1721]

Italian forms were at hand.

You were resonating correctly Jim ! Christian IV(1588-1648) was possibly influenced by his Italian fencing teacher Salvator Fabris(1544-1617). Whom wrote the first fencing manual written in Denmark in honor of Christian IV. Presented in 1605 and printed in two volumes in 1606. Scroll down to 1:2 and the history of fencing master Salvator Fabris and how he ended up as Christian IV's fencing teacher is well explained:

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.redalyc.org/pdf/6639/663972473002.pdf

We do find the type of pommel that we see on Christian IV’s Knighthood rapier in Norway who was part of Denmark from the wars that lead to the breakup of the Kalmar Union 1387 - 1523.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalmar_Union

Rapier with likely provenance back to early 17th century in Norway. It is easy to imagine that the King set the style for the upper class/nobility and that they copied their sovereigns style as was common in the renaissance. This example is likely imported from Sothern Europe were identical examples can be found. We find a handful in Norway surviving up until today.

Thank you for your valuable and on target comments Jim ! I see we use the same literature

Best regards,

Arne

[Tordenskiold1721]

Salvatore Fabris(1544-1617) fencing manual:

https://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Salvator_Fabris

[Tordenskiold1721]

Adding some examples with similar pommels for military use in Norwegian museums collections:

https://digitaltmuseum.no/021027299073/karde

https://digitaltmuseum.no/011023246716/karde

https://digitaltmuseum.no/011023252922/karde

[Jim McDougall]

As they say here in Texas, 'well...there ya go!'
It has always been fascinating to see how widely Italian influences in arms and armor predominated throughout Europe, and of course fencing in particular. Honestly, as I had noted, I had never thought of these influences reaching into Northern Europe.
This is the best part of these kinds of discussion here, the learning

Thank you Arne for sharing all of this information on this sword, and as you have shown, we learn a great deal on history THROUGH the weapons themselves. We do indeed rely on the same literature!

All best regards,
Jim

[Tordenskiold1721]

Thank you Jim for your information on rapiers in this style !

You mentioned the example in the Wallace Collection. It belongs in this thread:

https://wallacelive.wallacecollectio...ype=detailView

[Tordenskiold1721]

I noticed that Christian IV portrait further up in this thread with him on his war horse with his riding sword also shows him carrying his Danish made wheellock pistols, that saw a few wars with him. Currently on display in Copenhagen. I took this photo three weeks ago:

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Tordenskiold1721

Thank you Jim for your information on rapiers in this style !

You mentioned the example in the Wallace Collection. It belongs in this thread:

https://wallacelive.wallacecollectio...ype=detailView

Wow! well done Arne.............it isnt pictured in the book.