new camera so time to update with better pics..one I picked up from a not anymore local heavy antique sword collector...

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That's a great closeup of the running wolf! Very nice with some inlay still in there. What's your thoughts about the grip? What is it made from? Do you believe it to be original? Overall, I really dig that piece and it's great to see you continue in the direction of antiques. (a direction I would like to take at some point.... maybe)

Is that a chequered ebony grip?

Jonathan

I really like that hex-shaped blade too. You don't see many of those on rapiers, at least on the reproduction market, with that kind of a blade. The blade shape definitely adds some character to the sword.

I think the handle is horn due to the feel of it and lack of grain along with the coolness to the touch since wood feels warm to me...The collector Steven Crain who I bought it from had dated it as 17th cent. and Steven is pretty well known in the antique sword community also for knowing his antiques (some of you here might have bought from him or from his ebay account)...Steven if your lurking time to show up :lol: For the price I paid I just had a little bit of doubt since I knew nothing of antiques and still dont...At one of the Morro Bay sword meets a few years ago with Eljay (see what you guys are missing when you dont go!) he got to check it out and he confirmed that it was original and having talks with another local antique sword nut he also confirmed it was with also wanting to pay double what I did for it...and I know somebody will ask here and I have no problem saying I paid $600 for her...Sweet's steel steal.

by request...my weight scale is m.i.a ....when I pick up a new one I'll post the weight

28.35mm wide @ the cup
22.mm wide @ center
9.7mm @ 25.41mm back from the tip
6.40 thickness @ the cup
4.27 thickness @ center
1.65mm thickness @ 25.41mm back from the tip
12.27mm thickness @ the ricasso

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So is the grip actually horn scales?

Is that a false ricasso? Or does it only extend through the cup itself?

Hi guys

This is a tough call for many swords of this type to nail down a date and place. They would have been made in large numbers for the issue to troops and the amount of variation in a particular stye can be great.

Some points that I would research to id to a time frame would be the plain strips down the side of the checkered grip. This surprised me on this piece, does not mean it was not done often just that I have not come across it often. Second the style of the filet at the base of the cup where the ricasso goes through. This would seem to imply an earlier date like the 17th C. but the relative simplicity of it would make me look for other examples to conincide with. Third I would check the rim of the cup, is it an increase of thickness of the material or is it roled in or out to creat the rool? IT seems indistinct in the photos. The pommel and grip in general do not challenge the 17th C. date though the quillons seem a bit short but may well indicate a style more than a date.

Eric, that is not a false ricasso but the sleeve of the filet at the bottom of the cup that the ricasso passes through. This is a common detail for cup and plate guards having a reinforced element for the ricasoo to pass through that is then attached to the cup by some rivet or screw technique.

I would also check carefully for any markings or numbers as a standard issue item like this may well carry such in some spot on the item. While it will not probably give you an id it will be something to check against other items of similar form to compare to.

The last thing that occure to me is that it may well be a 17th C blade and 18th C hilt. This would have ben a common thing to do both by armories of the period as well as those selling items at a later date.

Best
Craig

Craig,
Thank you for all the great info!

Jonathan