[Igor A.]

Hi!

I would like to consult with you. I am intersting in foil. There are some pictures. I think this is an Italian type but it is announced as a Spain. Tha is a question. Even I was confused by the presence of screws on the Guard.
What is this? Snap off and attached the arc?
Whether the screws used in such structures?
Thank you for you help in advance!

Igor.

[Steven Reich]

I would consider this an Italian guard--it is symmetric and fits the form of the Italian-style foil guard. Nowadays, the screws used to fix the bell to the arches would usually be replaced by spot-welds.

Steve

[Igor A.]

Hi Steve!

Thank you for answer. I would think the same.
When do you think this style of hilt was most usable? To my understanding this about XIX cent., not earlier or I am mistaken?

By the way I like site of Seven Hearts. I found there some really intersting information for me.
Igor.

[Igor A.]

Here some more pictures of this foil.

Igor

[Steven Reich]

[Igor A.]

Hi Steve!

Thank you for reply. Just why I am intersting in it. I would like to buy this foil, but no chance to see it personally. Only via mail and based on photos. Man who sell it told me that after carefull look it looks like screws were from the beginning.
But foil is ssold as antique. That means that it should be older than 100 years.
The question is could screws be used in the beginning of 20th sentury or not?

Here is some description.
Overall length - 1070 mm, the length of the blade - 900 mm, cup - round, diameter - 110 mm, cup reserved for cross bows to hold two fingers screw. A cup is covered with floral design, floral design covered the first 130 mm blade. Grip handle - wood, a soft light wood, blade is ended with screw pommel, in which cross-drilled hole.
Drawing on the cup Rapier suffered way of acid etching, surface
cup and handle is covered with galvanized metal way to yellow
partially erased. Blade nickel-plated, nickel lost seats.

The foil was bought in the USA. Now costs about 1300 USD.
Not so snall money.
But I like it, especially floral ornament.
Unfortunately there is no any visible signes or stamps on blade or hilt.

Any comments are invited!

[Steven Reich]

I have no idea about the age of this particular weapon, so other than the general history of Italian Foils, I really can't give you any advice. (My experience is from the point of view of a fencer rather than a collector, so I just don't have the requisite knowledge.)

Steve

[Igor A.]

Thank you Steve!

No probleb! Any way this will be a decision of my own to by or not by!
May somebody else on forum has any ideas.
So any welcome!!!

Igor

[William V.]

Hello there.

I may add some additional information:
Yes the foil is italian (at least the style). On the spanish ones the quillons (the arches) are normally asymetric to allow a
different grip on the handle and to leave space for the thumb.
The screws may be authentic. I own a piece from around the turn of the century with screws too. BUT without inspection of the weapon itself it is nearly impossible to say if they are original or not.
In regard of the provenance: Spain (and especially Toledo) has (and may be still producing) cheap weapons as a kind of souvenir, relying on their well known steel and forges. Those "fakes" are very common and can be found very often on ebay. I won't speak of their collectors value here....
Those "fake"-weapons often have bright colours plus floral patterns on the guard and blade.... . So the way I see it, the weapon you are so interested in is one of those souvenir-pieces. The only thing that doesn't fit are the screws, because on the more modern versions the quillons are indeed (as already stated) spot-weldet to the guard.

BUT: the price is absolutely ridiculous!!! 1300 USD? You may find pieces equal to this one for below 100 USD on ebay or other platforms dealing with fencing weapons. And they may not have the shadow of doubt about their age....

My advice: Whatever you do, compare prices!

All the best

William

[Igor A.]

Hi William!

Thank you for answer. That is a question. This foil uggested one of the antique shop. They persist that this kind of foil is at least dated to beginning of the last century.
Though I agree that price is too big. In France in armory shop I saw a pair of french epee dated to the beginning of the last century. So they were 100 Euro each.

I think the price is so high because the shop in the far East of Russia - Vladivostol.
Actually even in the cities like Moscow and Saint-Petersburg that kind of arms are quite expensive.

By the way you are fro Germany. From what part?
I would like to find some good old armor (real or replicas) shops in Munich or in near cities. May be you know some of them?

Thank you in advance!

Igor.

[William V.]

So, my accent gave me away, hm?

In regard to the weapon we've been talking about:
The shop is absolutely wrong! Weapons like these (I'm talking about real weapons, for sport fencing) are still available but due to the fact that barely anybody fences italian foils anymore in competition the production of these weapons has reclinded. Nevertheless, there are still some distributors who sell these foils (and italian epees too), one of them is
Negrini in Verona (you may google the name, they have a very good online shop).
If you are looking for an "antique" piece I would recommend to check regularly on ebay. I would guess that a lot of these couloured souvenir pieces were produced in the 1950's and 60's. They are appearing relatively often.

Back to my heavy accent
I'm from the western part near Cologne. I've visited Munich some times but I can't give you advice for shops on historical weapons there. Sorry. If you want to get medieval swords and armour you might check out:

Fun 4 U at Dachauer Str. 42, München

You might get medieval reenactment stuff there, but I won't take any responsibility, I've just googled it
But perhaps they can help you there.

So far

William

[Igor A.]

Hi William!

Not really accent! Just "location" on the left side
Thank you for advice. I will be in Munich in the beginning of November. So I will try to find some time to visit this shop.
As to foil it looks like you are right.
So necessary think if it worth to buy it for such price or not.
Thank you.

Igor.

[Igor A.]

Hi William!

Visited Negrini online shop. Here are some pictures.
Is it something familiar?
So except floral ornament and a blade (here is an epee blade ) other are almost the same. Ecpesially arches. But no screws.
Taking ab account that Negrini is since 1897..., hm....it might be
By the way seller haas already told that it is not 100 years old but may be 50 years.
So you might be absolutely right talking about 50's - 60's.

By for now!

Igor

[Igor A.]

This is me again!

Just compared two pictires. Look at the red circles!
Look the same or not.......?
I gues yes!

So looks like the same components.

Igor.

[Igor A.]

Hi All!

Thank everybody who helped me in making decision! I hope I am on right way!
I think this theme we can close.

If you have any other comments you can send them directly to my box.

By for now.

Igor

[Shahril Dzulkifli]

Igor,
Why do your photos have erase marks?

[Igor A.]

[Shahril Dzulkifli]

I wonder if you have any full picture of your swords, Igor.