Swept Hilt Rapier–help with inscription

Cathey · 20th March 2016, 04:25 AM

Hi Guys

I believe this swept hilt to be Italian? However, I am unable to identify the letters on the blade and the marking on the ricasso is also difficult to place. Based on the Pommel and hilt configuration it is probably early seventeen century.

Overall Length 43 ½” 110.7 cm
Blade length 35 1/8” from bottom of shell guard to tip
Blade widest point 7/8” 2.3 cm
Hilt widest point 10” 25.2 cm
Inside grip length 3 ¼” 8.3 cm

Description
Plain steel Swept Hilt Rapier made up of a Mushroom facetted pommel; wire-bound grip, straight quillons, hilt arms; triple ring guard; the smallest filled with a plate pieced; loop-guard, knuckle-bow; counterguards. Diamond Section blade inscribed? Probably Italian Early 17th Century.

References:
DUFTY, Arthur Richard EUROPEAN SWORDS AND DAGGERS IN THE TOWER OF LONDON plate 24 d
NORMAN, A.V.B. THE RAPIER AND THE SMALL-SWORD 1460-1820, Pp132 Hilt 60 & 61, pp 264 Pommel 55 pp 267 Pommel 61
Wallace Collection A605 Rapier

Any assistance identifying these letters combined with the mark on the ricasso will be most appreciated.

Cheers Cathey and Rex

20th March 2016, 04:25 AM	#1
Cathey Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: adelaide south australia Posts: 276	Swept Hilt Rapier–help with inscription Hi Guys I believe this swept hilt to be Italian? However, I am unable to identify the letters on the blade and the marking on the ricasso is also difficult to place. Based on the Pommel and hilt configuration it is probably early seventeen century. Overall Length 43 ½” 110.7 cm Blade length 35 1/8” from bottom of shell guard to tip Blade widest point 7/8” 2.3 cm Hilt widest point 10” 25.2 cm Inside grip length 3 ¼” 8.3 cm Description Plain steel Swept Hilt Rapier made up of a Mushroom facetted pommel; wire-bound grip, straight quillons, hilt arms; triple ring guard; the smallest filled with a plate pieced; loop-guard, knuckle-bow; counterguards. Diamond Section blade inscribed? Probably Italian Early 17th Century. References: DUFTY, Arthur Richard EUROPEAN SWORDS AND DAGGERS IN THE TOWER OF LONDON plate 24 d NORMAN, A.V.B. THE RAPIER AND THE SMALL-SWORD 1460-1820, Pp132 Hilt 60 & 61, pp 264 Pommel 55 pp 267 Pommel 61 Wallace Collection A605 Rapier Any assistance identifying these letters combined with the mark on the ricasso will be most appreciated. Cheers Cathey and Rex Attached Images