Rapier

Unknown Artist

Rapier, the swept hilt comprising a fluted, cylindrical pommel, with tang button; vertically fluted, wooden grip, of the original wire binding, only the Turk's head at either end remains; straight crossguard of circular section, thickening towards the ends; hilt-arms, triple ring joining the knuckle-guard by a loop-guard, the inner one splitting into two transverse bars. All of circular section; perhaps originally blued. The double-edged blade is of flattened diamond section, singly grooved at the forte; the ricasso bearing on either side the maker's mark. The surface of the hilt has been decorated with small punched circles and hatched as preparation for gilding, traces of which remain.

c. 1620

Iron, steel and wood, once gilded

A580

Images and text © Wallace Collection, 2017