Swept Hilt Rapier – Urgent help needed?

cornelistromp · 13th October 2010, 02:26 PM

Hi Cathey,

the Rapier(rapier if >111cm?) looks fine and homogeneous to me.
Blade is OK, lack of counter guard and only chisselwork at the show-side is also know on this type of rapier. Gripbinding is probably a replacement?!?!
however.... Please do have a close look at the pommel and if the decoration of the pommel has been done by the same tools as the the quillon. the reason I do mention it is that the pommel is of an earlier type and you would expect a pommel shape similar/matching to the quillon finals!
(it may be belonging to this piece but it will not surprise me if it is a replacement.)

regards from Holland

Cathey · 14th October 2010, 02:47 AM

Hi Holland?

Under a microscope the grip wire is extremely finely plated and then woven, which would have been a pain to do originally at any time. The Turks heads fit extremely well, and both wire and Turks heads appear of the same age. If it is a replacement they have certainly gone to a lot of trouble.

The pommel and hilt decoration appear to be contemporary and quite crude really. Then again I doubt this one was made for a lord so perhaps it’s a poor man’s version, made for use rather than decoration which would explain the great balance the sword has in the hand.

Cheers Cathey

14th October 2010, 02:47 AM	#2
Cathey Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: adelaide south australia Posts: 284	Rappier ? Hi Holland? Under a microscope the grip wire is extremely finely plated and then woven, which would have been a pain to do originally at any time. The Turks heads fit extremely well, and both wire and Turks heads appear of the same age. If it is a replacement they have certainly gone to a lot of trouble. The pommel and hilt decoration appear to be contemporary and quite crude really. Then again I doubt this one was made for a lord so perhaps it’s a poor man’s version, made for use rather than decoration which would explain the great balance the sword has in the hand. Cheers Cathey

13th October 2010, 02:26 PM	#1
cornelistromp Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,060	Hi Cathey, the Rapier(rapier if >111cm?) looks fine and homogeneous to me. Blade is OK, lack of counter guard and only chisselwork at the show-side is also know on this type of rapier. Gripbinding is probably a replacement?!?! however.... Please do have a close look at the pommel and if the decoration of the pommel has been done by the same tools as the the quillon. the reason I do mention it is that the pommel is of an earlier type and you would expect a pommel shape similar/matching to the quillon finals! (it may be belonging to this piece but it will not surprise me if it is a replacement.) regards from Holland