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Old 21st November 2011, 08:53 PM   #1
Matchlock
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Originally Posted by Atlantia
Firstly I need to express my huge gratitude to my friend Jim McDougall who not only works very hard to make these forums a welcoming and informative place but also uses his valuable 'free time' to spend literally hours researching this sword for me.
Jim! You are a:

Hi Gene,

You took the words right out of my mouth: our friend Jim not only is the Good and Guiding Spirit of our forum but also and doubtlessly our most widely read professor and perhaps the only one to be eager enough to try to do his best and work his way into the strangest topics to be discussed here!
Thank you so much, Jim!!! You are not just our star but one of the very few true warriors around!!!

Best,
Michael
Last edited by Matchlock; 21st November 2011 at 09:03 PM.
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Old 21st November 2011, 08:56 PM   #2
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Hi Gene,

In my opinion, your rapier can be classified as a 19th c. Historismus (Victorian) hilt in late 16th c. style, with an older blade recycled.

Best,
Michael
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Old 21st November 2011, 09:14 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by Matchlock
Hi Gene,

In my opinion, your rapier can be classified as a 19th c. Historismus (Victorian) hilt in late 16th c. style, with an older blade recycled.

Best,
Michael
Oh, i was gonna say Manufre Rle du Klingenthal 1825-1830, Poinçons COLLIOTdela HATTAIS Augustin, Mathurin
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Old 21st November 2011, 09:16 PM   #4
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Exactly, 'Nando,

The blade is of early 19th c. date.

m
Last edited by Matchlock; 21st November 2011 at 11:22 PM.
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Old 21st November 2011, 09:46 PM   #5
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Hi gentlemen.

Another teaser pic. Notice that one shell is slightly larger?
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Old 21st November 2011, 09:56 PM   #6
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Nicely peened tang
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Old 21st November 2011, 10:38 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by Atlantia
Hi gentlemen.

Another teaser pic. Notice that one shell is slightly larger?
Other things have such particularity
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Old 22nd November 2011, 08:39 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by fernando
Other things have such particularity
Indeed, do you remember the 'horses mouth' shape?
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Old 21st November 2011, 09:58 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fernando
Oh, i was gonna say Manufre Rle du Klingenthal 1825-1830, Poinçons COLLIOTdela HATTAIS Augustin, Mathurin
Sorry mate, what does that mean?
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Old 21st November 2011, 10:00 PM   #10
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Comparison with other rapiers and swords showing the similarity in length to 19thC sabres
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Last edited by Atlantia; 21st November 2011 at 10:24 PM.
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Old 21st November 2011, 10:48 PM   #11
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Imho this sword is a fantasy from the Victorian period. Blade is from a French officer's epee from around 1830 onward, and is marked Klingenthal, with inspector's poincon. The hilt is more subjective to ascertain, but to me it looks grotesque, and doesn't reflect the period it's supposed to emulate.
Just my $.02
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Old 21st November 2011, 11:24 PM   #12
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Well done, Gene,

A homogeneous 19th c. collection.

Best,
Michael
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Old 22nd November 2011, 08:34 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dmitry
Imho this sword is a fantasy from the Victorian period. Blade is from a French officer's epee from around 1830 onward, and is marked Klingenthal, with inspector's poincon. The hilt is more subjective to ascertain, but to me it looks grotesque, and doesn't reflect the period it's supposed to emulate.
Just my $.02

Hi Dmitry.

Obviously beauty is subjective, but we don't know what the hilt was meant to represent. Clearly it has elements of other and earlier swords, but it was made at a time when revival was popular and even 'grotesque' hilts were sometimes in vogue

Who made it and why, I guess I might never know.
But the strange hilt is tight, and solid. The twisted wire-bound grip is a beauty and offers great grip and 'feel', the tang is solidly peened and the balance is perfect! It feels fast, solid and deadly and although I've not fenced in many years due to injury, I would feel fairly confident in demanding 'satisfaction' with it, if you dared call it 'grotesque' to my face

I think it is 'fantastique'!

Best
Gene
Last edited by Atlantia; 22nd November 2011 at 09:09 AM.
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Old 21st November 2011, 10:34 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Atlantia
Sorry mate, what does that mean?
That mark on the blade is so much like that of an inspector "poinçon" at the French Manufacture de Klingenthal.
... And the few letters readable on the ricasso could match with the word Klingenthal.
But let's hear what Jim has to say about this sword .

.
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Old 22nd November 2011, 08:45 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fernando
That mark on the blade is so much like that of an inspector "poinçon" at the French Manufacture de Klingenthal.
... And the few letters readable on the ricasso could match with the word Klingenthal.
But let's hear what Jim has to say about this sword .

.
Good catch Nando. Well spotted
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Old 22nd November 2011, 09:03 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Matchlock
Hi Gene,

In my opinion, your rapier can be classified as a 19th c. Historismus (Victorian) hilt in late 16th c. style, with an older blade recycled.

Best,
Michael
Hi Michael,

I do find these late anomalies to be very interesting. I've had and seen some very fancy 19thC constructions before, but this one although plainer than many, has the edge in balance and functionality.
I'm very pleased with it
Thanks again
Gene
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Old 21st November 2011, 09:16 PM   #17
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... Jim!!! ... You are not just our star but one of the very few true warriors around!!!
An warrior yes ... but not an old warrior
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