[Jesse Belsky]

I just finished up this rapier hilt. Its based on a museum piece, although I simplified a good bit. The original was completely covered in delicate carving, etching and possibly gilding which I couldn't replicate so I decided to forgo. I also changed the counterguard a bit -- the original had a pierced plate and an extra bar. The pommel on the original was faceted, and mine is not, and it was also attached to the end of the knucklebow with a screw, which mine is not. So this is more "inspired by" than a "recreation of". But i'm pleased with how it turned out. It's certainly a lovely and elegant design, and it's very comfortable in the hand.

I'm often surprised by how petite original rapier hilts are, and this turned out on the smaller side when I scaled the images I was working from off of a "standard" 3" grip. It fits quite comfortably in my hand, but if you have huge hands it might not be the right hilt for you.

The hilt is steel (the crossguard is 8" wide), and the grip is oak covered in twisted wire. The turk's heads were a bit of an experiment...they are 3D printed from a model on Shapeways (not mine) in bronze infused stainless steel. They are actually very nice...lots of detail, texture and depth.

The pommel is threaded 6x1mm metric.

The price for the hilt is $1000. I can sell you just the hilt, or I can mount it with the blade of your choice (Darkwood, Castille, Hanwei, A&A, etc). No extra charge for mounting/modifying the tang to fit, just the cost of the blade itself.

This isn't up on the website yet, so feel free to PM if you are interested.

More work at www.jessebelsky.com/stageswords

[Jesse Belsky]

And here are pictures of the original from i'm not quite sure which museum....

[Shahril Dzulkifli]

First I thought this rapier of yours had lost its blade. Though it wasn't.

[Jesse Belsky]

Shahril, this rapier finally found a blade

It's newly mounted up with a Castille Armory Economy Rapier Bade.
The hilt seemed to want a slender blade, and since I can't get the hollow ground Hanwei Practice Rapier blades these days I thought I would try something new. Castille makes these for SCA and HEMA...it's got a nice wide ricasso which feels appropriate in the hand, and then slims down to more of a diamond schlager section.

This blade is 38" long, and can be provided with a rubber blunt.
The sword is 46" overall, and weighs just a hair over 2 lbs. It balances an inch in front of the guard.

If you're interested, its up for sale on the website: www.jessebelsky.com/stageswords