[George Hill]

I have purchased a rapier from the late 1600s. It arrived from the dealer in a wooden crate sealed with screws, and it remains there still, (though my other purchases are on a shelf.)

The Rapier, is wonderful. It is a late period transitional rapier, hilted similarly to a smallsword, but it's not a smallsword. It's a rapier with a shell guard. I wanted to provide a picture, but it seems myArmoury has a file size limitation that I'm not quite able to meet conveniently.

My problem is, the rapier has no scabbard, and I've learned that with antique European swords, this is not uncommon. It seems it was most often the case to store a sword outside it's scabbard, and this differs from modern made swords and also antique Japanese swords in that antique European swords were NOT polished heavily.

A serious polish sort of 'exposes the steel' whereas a less polished blade will develop a protective patina, and this patina keeps it safe enough to even handle by the blade (if done lightly) whereas with a modern polished sword or a polished Japanese blade, this would require an immediate cleaning, to prevent the blade developing finger pint sized rust spots from the oils in your finger tips.

Most of my swords are on a sword rack, and this is fine as the swords are in scabbards. I don't want to lay a naked blade on the rack because I fear damaing the edge.

I also fear laying it on it's flat, becuase I have a lgiht foam layer to protect the scabbards, but being a poor student in chemistry yet knowing that a metal pressed for a long period against a surface will be exposed to the chemistry of that suface, well... what if the foam has some chemical the sword doesn't like in it?

Yes, I am indeed paranoid. Quite paranoid. I have no idea how to display this blade in a way that will keep it safe, and I feel like I'm now a care taker for a bit of history.

Additionally, I have cats. I can't just hang it on the wall for fear they will mess with it and harm either it, or themselves. My shelves aren't big enough for it, so I can't just lay in on a shelf as it's too long.

I was considering a glass case, but the only glass cases I can find that will take a vertical sword (and I'd like to store it vertically) are quite over large for a rapier, as they were designed around a long sword, so they would have almost an extra 15 inches and a set of hooks for a cross guard, not a shell guard. Still, so far that's my best option. (The one from SF displays on amazon.)
https://www.amazon.com/Vertical-Display-Claymore-Medieval-Background/dp/B010GRABC8/ref=ast_sto_dp_puis?th=1

But 250, while reasonable if it was 'just right' is a bit steep for a 'best fit.' I'd like to find something better.

As luck should have it, I actually DO have a case like this one, but it only has racks for horizonal storage, and those racks are a very hard plastic. I don't' care to lay the blade edge on cross them, and there isn't quite room to lay it flat, and that still bothers me. Someone suggested lining the rack 'hooks' with undyed felt, but I've not found anything that I'm quite sure has no chemicals in it.


Now, I am likely being more paranoid then I need to be. That is most likely true. But, I am nonetheless this paranoid, and so I am turning to all of you for help. Can anyone suggest a means whereby I can soothe both my fears and also protect and display the sword?

I really do favor a vertical solution, and I'm very concerned about unwanted and unforeseen chemical interactions, and also feline safety is paramount.

Additionally, any tips as to care and preservation (or links to such material) are most welcome.

[David Kite]

I work as an archivist/rare book librarian, so safe storage and chemically intert materials are important for me as well, though I mostly work with paper and photographic media.

I purchase a lot of my preservation supplies from places like Hollinger Metal Edge or University Products, so you may look at their websites for ideas. Their display cases are stupidly expensive, but they may offer some inspiration.

https://www.hollingermetaledge.com/display-and-exhibit/

https://www.universityproducts.com/exhibit-display/display-cases-mounts

This website may also be a helpful source of information: https://www.museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk/advice-article/metal-collections-care/

David Kite
ARMA in IN

[Sean Manning]

I would get a hardwood board (basswood is fine), some chisels, glue, and some leather and make a new scabbard. It does not have to be pretty just something to protect you from the blade and the blade from the wet.

[George Hill]