Spanish rapier

[Foxbat]

Hello,

This is a composite piece. The blade could be from 17th century, of reasonable quality, judging from nor too great pictures. The guard is most likely later, 18th century. Grip is also a later replacement, and the 17th century pommel, of popular form, is also likely a later addition. Of course you know that one quillon is broken off.

[fernando]

Hola Jacques,
Nice sword you have there.
The guard cup (taza) type is what we call in portuguese Margarida (daizy = margarita) and i wouldn't reject the idea that is also from the XVII century.
The drawing you made with the blade inscription is rather hard to read or understand. It would be nice to have close up pictures of the blade with the real inscriptions, from both sides. Maybe it represents the sword maker's name and some of us could find out who he would be.
You should also look in the recazo and watch for a possible maker's mark (symbol).

Saludos

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[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by fernando

The guard cup (taza) type is what we call in portuguese Margarida (daizy = margarita) and i wouldn't reject the idea that is also from the XVII century.

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The style of the taza could be consistent with the 17th century, but the way the guard attaches to the pommel strongly suggests later period. Is it possible that the taza and the guard were mated later in their life? Yes, but the pictures do not provide evidence of that.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

The style of the taza could be consistent with the 17th century, but the way the guard attaches to the pommel strongly suggests later period. Is it possible that the taza and the guard were mated later in their life? Yes, but the pictures do not provide evidence of that.

Actually this guard is attached to the pommel in a very unnatural way. Yes, the mating of both guard and cup at a later stage is, as you say, possible but unlikely. With pictures taken in different angles, one could see if there are any extra screw holes or other signs of having refixed both parts. Amazingly this is a more remote probability in Portuguese cup hilt swords as, usually, the cup is welded (and not screwed) to the guard.
We must say usually as, one must not ignore that within a large range of time including the concerned period, weapons smiths would often follow the 'Iberian' fashion.
On the other hand, the method of attaching the guard to the pommel would be a system mainly adopted by military. Many exceptions to this habit clearly showed alterations later made in original (civilian) guards.
The example discussed here, 'rapier' blade and all, must have been born a civilian sword.
Yes, better pictures would (probably) help to clarify things.

Mejores y diferentes fotos, Jacques ... es posible ?

[VANDERNOTTE]

gracias fernando
give me a few day for new pic
un abarzo
jacques

[VANDERNOTTE]

there the pic unfortunatly the pic of the blade are terrible
no inscription in the taza
regard
jacques

[fernando]

Gracias por las fotos, Jacques.
A pity that the pictures of the blade inscriptions are not so bright. It looks like the picture in the first post was more precise.
Juddging by the letters possible to read in your drawing, if the inscription contains the sword smith name, it doesn't appear in the Palomar nomina, which you may consult HERE (post #152, page 6)
The taza is very nice ... and so is the pommel; even the screw now appears to be from the period, .
Maybe the whole sword is an original set, all admittedly from the XVIII century; except for the grip, a replacement so common to take place.
Still is possible that this is a sword made in Toledo, for a civilian ... this judging by the narrow blade and hilt decoration.
What do you think, Foxbat ?
PS:
Can you tell the length and width of the blade, Jacques ?

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