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Old 24th February 2016, 07:33 PM   #1
mariusgmioc
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Default Toledo Rapier Info and Toledo markings

Hello,
Got this rapier with the long, slender blade inscribed on both sides of the fuller "TOLEDO XX HEINRICH XX BRACHO."
I didn't manage to find any additional information about such a swordsmith so any opinions pertaining its origin, age and maker are very welcomed!
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Last edited by Jim McDougall; 6th March 2016 at 07:03 PM. Reason: add pertinant note to title re: mkgs
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Old 24th February 2016, 08:52 PM   #2
fernando
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Nice sword.
A bit of a problem though ... a most usual one.
The name Heinrich is German and so not consistent with Toledo. However Bracho may be Spanish ... although not known as a Toledo sword smith, i would say.
Could this be a Solingen blade ?
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Old 24th February 2016, 08:58 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fernando
Nice sword.
A bit of a problem though ... a most usual one.
The name Heinrich is German and so not consistent with Toledo. However Bracho may be Spanish ... although not known as a Toledo sword smith, i would say.
Could this be a Solingen blade ?
Yes, Heinrich is a Germanic name, but BRACHO is a typical Spanish surname... just to add more to the mystery.
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Old 25th February 2016, 01:36 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mariusgmioc
Yes, Heinrich is a Germanic name, but BRACHO is a typical Spanish surname... just to add more to the mystery.
Brach is a famous sword maker family from Solingen from the 16th and 17th centuries.
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Old 25th February 2016, 01:40 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cornelistromp
Brach is a famous sword maker family from Solingen from the 16th and 17th centuries.
Very interesting! Then maybe BRACHO is the "spanicized" version of the name, to justify the "Toledo" inscription.

Thank you very much!
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Old 25th February 2016, 02:40 PM   #6
fernando
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mariusgmioc
... Then maybe BRACHO is the "spanicized" version of the name, to justify the "Toledo" inscription. ..
Precisely; to attract Spanish clientele .
But it takes Jasper to get these things clear .
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Old 25th February 2016, 02:02 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cornelistromp
Brach is a famous sword maker family from Solingen from the 16th and 17th centuries.
Excellent!

Based on your feedback I ran a search and found out in

"Historische Waffen und Kostueme, Band 1: Waffensammlung Dreger" by De Gruyter a reference to a HEINRICH BRACH of Solingen, active between 1661-1725.

I guess this might be my guy.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

PS: Fernando, your intuition was right!
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Old 25th February 2016, 02:45 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mariusgmioc
Excellent!

Based on your feedback I ran a search and found out in

"Historische Waffen und Kostueme, Band 1: Waffensammlung Dreger" by De Gruyter a reference to a HEINRICH BRACH of Solingen, active between 1661-1725.

I guess this might be my guy.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

PS: Fernando, your intuition was right!

His intuitions are nearly invariably right!!!! Actually Fernando knows 'a thing or two' about cuphilts!!! "
This example reminded me of Heinrich Koll, aka Enrique Koll or Coll, who was a Solingen swordsmith who indeed did go to Toledo to work. There were a number of others as well.
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Old 25th February 2016, 03:17 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mariusgmioc
Excellent!

Based on your feedback I ran a search and found out in

"Historische Waffen und Kostueme, Band 1: Waffensammlung Dreger" by De Gruyter a reference to a HEINRICH BRACH of Solingen, active between 1661-1725.

I guess this might be my guy.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

PS: Fernando, your intuition was right!

very good! btw your rapier hilt is indeed Spanish. Blade can be of Solingen manufacture or as it says Toledo. some Solingen sword smiths went to Spain.
I believe Johannes Brach did this around 1625 ! maybe his father, I have to check this later because my books are stored for the moment.

best,
Jasper
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