A rapier for Christmas

fernando · 5th December 2010, 04:47 PM

Always an added value when a sword is marked ... and signed.

This time by Gonzalo Simon, a Toledo sword maker from the early XVII century.
He figures in number #35 of Palomar's nomina:
See here post #152
Master Simon is recorded to haved lived in 1617.
There is a sword with his signature in the Real Armeria de Madrid and another one in the Wallace collection.

This one here has a 96 cms six face double edged blade, counting from the guard. Total length 118 cms. The width at the forte measures 22 mm and, with a thickness of 10 mm, it acquires the reasonable weight of 1,1120 Kg.
Point of balance 11,5 cms from the guard.
The pommel looks having never being removed; the grip wiring and the two brass turk heads look rather aged ... maybe original ?

I have tried to establish a typology for the hilt at Norman's, but i don't have enough experience to do it; anyway it looks to me like hilt #61 and inner hilt #35, with exception for the turned quillons.

According to the seller this sword was brought from the United States; go figure why it was kept there.
I will be much obliged for any coments on this piece.

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5th December 2010, 04:47 PM	#1
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,641	A rapier for Christmas Always an added value when a sword is marked ... and signed. This time by Gonzalo Simon, a Toledo sword maker from the early XVII century. He figures in number #35 of Palomar's nomina: See here post #152 Master Simon is recorded to haved lived in 1617. There is a sword with his signature in the Real Armeria de Madrid and another one in the Wallace collection. This one here has a 96 cms six face double edged blade, counting from the guard. Total length 118 cms. The width at the forte measures 22 mm and, with a thickness of 10 mm, it acquires the reasonable weight of 1,1120 Kg. Point of balance 11,5 cms from the guard. The pommel looks having never being removed; the grip wiring and the two brass turk heads look rather aged ... maybe original ? I have tried to establish a typology for the hilt at Norman's, but i don't have enough experience to do it; anyway it looks to me like hilt #61 and inner hilt #35, with exception for the turned quillons. According to the seller this sword was brought from the United States; go figure why it was kept there. I will be much obliged for any coments on this piece. . Attached Images