Hello, colleagues.
I just acquired this Spanish espada de conchas ca.1670, and wanted to share some photos with you. Any input and questions are appreciated and welcome.
The front shell has a stylized depiction of the Spanish Lion, in a typical, almost abstract style [Picasso didn't really invent it300 years later]. Blade is 101 cm long, sword weighs 935 gr.
Blade is marked Tomas DAiala, but was not made by this famous Toledo swordsmith. As is well known, Ferrara, Piccinino, Aiala, etc., became trade names, and a sign of alleged quality.
Hopefully the detailed photos of the hilt will help better understand the construction of it.

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That's a fine piece, indeed. Is the grip original or a replacement?

One feature that's always intrigued me about this style is the extreme width of the quillons. How wide are they on this piece?

Thank you for sharing it with us.

are you sure its not an dud.the inner bowls do look very strange in nregards to the corrosion.that looks from the pics very soft and messy not like the corrosion building up pver years.the pommel is odd too
want not spoil your joy.but if you post it i think you are open for others oppinion
i am not after to make fuzz i collected 20 years and handled may edged weapons the grips spidula is very bulgy not so elegant as it is on orginals
this looks odd
cheers

I appreciate your comments regarding the sword. I'd like to believe that I've done all the due due diligence I had to do, before pulling the trigger. For photos and descriptions of multiple examples of this type of hilt, refer to the recent book by Vicente Toledo Momparler - Espadas Espanolas. This book is highly recommended, and is very expensive.
The on-line resource of outstanding quality, deling with various Spanish arms is Juan Calvo's website.
Below is the section dealing with the swords of the type I purchased.
http://www.catalogacionarmas.com/public/35-GuerraSucesion.pdf

I do agree on the cleanliness, which may appear deceiving, and for some people, off-putting. I,too, prefer an aged patina.

Markus A wrote:

.the pommel is odd too

Please elaborate on what you meant by 'odd'? This is probably the most common shape for the pommel for the swords of this style.

Hey there,I am a fencer,(a historical fencer),and i fight with and against swords fashioned in similar styles as this weapon.Although it is oftentimes circumstantial,having long quillons can be VERY useful.When you drop your blade from an on gaurd to make a lowline parry,the long quillons prevent your opponent from being able to make a fast coupe over the hilt .Also,the extra length makes it very easy to put your enemy's blade in a bind by simply twisting your wrist.I know there are more specific examples but those are two that came to mind. In general, long quillons enhance both your offensive and defensive capabilities in a duel. You won't catch me fighting without quillons of decent length :) ;)

Anyways, that is a superbly awesome rapier you have acquired. Back to my studies..... Cheers.