Extendable Rapiers

Cathey · 9th April 2016, 07:38 AM

Extendable Rapiers

Hi Guys

I am looking for information on Extendable Rapiers (with a stretchable sword blade) and hopefully pictures of actual examples. I have heard that there are examples of these in some European museums, however being in Australia unless they are on the internet I will never know.

I know I have read about them having been introduced to get around a law governing Rapier blade length, however I would really like to learn more about them if they actually existed. In particular how the hilt was designed and what mechanisms where employed to allow the blade to retract presumable to legal length and then be extended.

Can anyone help thanks?

Cathey

fernando · 9th April 2016, 11:25 AM

Hi Cathey,
To start with, you may wish to visit THIS THREAD and scroll down to posts of your interest.
Best

Cathey · 9th April 2016, 11:54 AM

hi Fernando,

I found this one today, which made me interested in find more examples and some history if possible. I think there was a post once with a museum that had several examples but I can't find it. I hope someone out there might have more information to share.

Cheers Cathey

Dmitry · 9th April 2016, 01:43 PM

This book is indispensable for all types of unusual weapons.

.

fernando · 9th April 2016, 04:17 PM

Hi Cathey,
Currently i don't find any other post or thread in this forum on this subject ... although possibly they exist. But i guess i have seen other examples in different sources but, i don't remember where.
You mention their history. What angle of history would you expect to read about ... the need for these swords ?
Concerning mechanisms, i wonder if there are more than one; possibly. I didn't see how this specific one worked in the begining, when looking at the small unclear picture in the book, but now i think i got the correct idea:

,

fernando · 9th April 2016, 07:11 PM

Speaking of examples in museums, you have the following German rapier (1590-1600) in exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Overall L. 167.6 cm (66 in.)
George F. Harding Collection, 1982.2844.

The mechanism appears to be the same as the one in the collection of Rainer Daehnhardt.

.

9th April 2016, 07:38 AM	#1
Cathey Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: adelaide south australia Posts: 276	Extendable Rapiers Extendable Rapiers Hi Guys I am looking for information on Extendable Rapiers (with a stretchable sword blade) and hopefully pictures of actual examples. I have heard that there are examples of these in some European museums, however being in Australia unless they are on the internet I will never know. I know I have read about them having been introduced to get around a law governing Rapier blade length, however I would really like to learn more about them if they actually existed. In particular how the hilt was designed and what mechanisms where employed to allow the blade to retract presumable to legal length and then be extended. Can anyone help thanks? Cathey

9th April 2016, 11:54 AM	#3
Cathey Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: adelaide south australia Posts: 276	Extendable Rapiers hi Fernando, I found this one today, which made me interested in find more examples and some history if possible. I think there was a post once with a museum that had several examples but I can't find it. I hope someone out there might have more information to share. Cheers Cathey

9th April 2016, 01:43 PM	#4
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	This book is indispensable for all types of unusual weapons. . Attached Images Last edited by fernando; 9th April 2016 at 04:35 PM. Reason: No links allowed Dmitry; only direct uploaded attachments

9th April 2016, 04:17 PM	#5
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	Hi Cathey, Currently i don't find any other post or thread in this forum on this subject ... although possibly they exist. But i guess i have seen other examples in different sources but, i don't remember where. You mention their history. What angle of history would you expect to read about ... the need for these swords ? Concerning mechanisms, i wonder if there are more than one; possibly. I didn't see how this specific one worked in the begining, when looking at the small unclear picture in the book, but now i think i got the correct idea: , Attached Images Last edited by fernando; 9th April 2016 at 04:56 PM.

9th April 2016, 07:11 PM	#6
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	Speaking of examples in museums, you have the following German rapier (1590-1600) in exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago. Overall L. 167.6 cm (66 in.) George F. Harding Collection, 1982.2844. The mechanism appears to be the same as the one in the collection of Rainer Daehnhardt. . Attached Images

9th April 2016, 11:25 AM	#2
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	Hi Cathey, To start with, you may wish to visit THIS THREAD and scroll down to posts of your interest. Best