5 blades No 3 – 17th c Rapier -- myArmoury.com

David Cooper · Posted: Fri 07 Feb, 2014 7:26 am Post subject: 5 blades No 3 – 17th c Rapier

Original sales description:
“Probably dates ca 1680-1700 and is very Spanish in form. Very good condition for age and complete in all respects. A good honest example.”
The sword is in sound condition. quillons were a little loose, I have since shimmed them and everything is now tight. Grip covered in what seems to be embossed sheet metal segments. (Silver?)

Stats:
Weight, sword: 2lb 7oz (1.09kg)
Length overall: 44'' (112cm) Blade: 37'' (94cm)
POB: 3'' (8cm)
Profile taper: 1.26'' (32mm) at ricasso, 0.97'' (24.7mm)at mid blade, 0.64'' (16.4mm) 2 inches from tip.
Distal taper 0.32'' (8.2mm) at ricasso, 0.15'' (3.8mm)at mid blade,. 0.09'' (2.4mm) 2 inches from tip.
Markings:
Inscription in fuller on both sides of the blade, looks like “DOMINO MI?? ADITUTOR”
Inscription might be DOMINO MI ADJUTOR which means Lord My Helper.
Anybody got any other suggestions? The original seller thought Spanish, any better ideas?

Also posted on Sword ForumInternational

Tom Donoho · Posted: Sat 08 Feb, 2014 4:26 am Post subject:

David,

Isn't this considered a bilbao sword--Spanish, used 17th through mid 19th centuries? Markings on blades are not always a reliable indicator of the supposed manufacturer of the blade as they were sometimes added by others to enhance the sword.

Tom

David Cooper · Posted: Tue 18 Feb, 2014 7:40 am Post subject:

Thank you Tom. It has been suggested on another forum that this might be an officers version of the M1728 Spanish Cavalry sword. I think this was developed from the Bilbao swords. Obviously the trooper version has a broader blade..

Tom Donoho · Posted: Tue 18 Feb, 2014 7:49 am Post subject:

David,
How does it handle? This type looks rather cumbersome, but I read somewhere that they actually handle pretty well.

David Cooper · Posted: Tue 18 Feb, 2014 8:19 am Post subject:

Tom
Handles quite well I think. I'm no fencer so all I can compare it to is the Hanwei Gustav Pappenheimer rapier. The Spanish sword is an an ounce or two heavier, the point of balace is 3inches further down the blade and the blade itself is more substantial but almost exactly the same length. It flexes well and feels like it could deliver a reasonable cut as well as being a proper thrusting sword. I would love to be able to compare it with the broader bladed trooper version.