An incredible rapier from Musee de l' Armee -- myArmoury.com

B. Fulton

Not being a real rapier man, I'm not sure the exact classification of this blade and hilt. However it's extraordinarily pretty and thought it worth the photos.

Anyone know any more about it (still have to dig up the infocard shot) just from looking at it?

[img]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2175/2479210512_545ec13538.jpg?v=0

Appears to be a matching dagger/main gauche.

Hugh Fuller · Posted: Thu 15 May, 2008 11:13 am Post subject:

Oooh, wait until Patrick Barta takes a stab at that one!

Chad Arnow · myArmoury Team

I wonder if the grip is original. It's square (or rectangular) in shape, while the pommel is rounded. It looks added on after-the-fact.

Lawrence Parramore · Posted: Thu 15 May, 2008 1:33 pm Post subject:

Hmm different enamel technique too!

Doesn't match up at the pommel interface.

Still real nice Eek!

work

Lawrence

Sam Haverkamp · Industry Professional

Wow,
That is a fantastic specimen. It is fairly rare to see that kind of enamel work on a European sword, correct?

B. Fulton · Posted: Fri 16 May, 2008 10:39 am Post subject:

I've seen dozens and dozens of rapiers and other weapons from that period and this is the first I can recall with anything like this particular example. Others will be engraved, chased, etc in various other metals but I can't ever remember seeing one quite like this one.

Lawrence Parramore · Posted: Fri 16 May, 2008 1:52 pm Post subject:

Hi B. Fulton,

I don't know where to find the pictures on the net but, there is the Golden Rapier of Maximilian II at Vienna, the Sword of '1571' by Hans Reimer of Munich and one atributed to Hortuno de Aguirre, Toledo.

http://www.khm.at/system2E.html?/staticE/page464.html

It was a fashion from 1550's to the 1570's at least it seems, armour and firearms etc were also done like this.

Hope this helps.

Lawrence