1046

17th Century Military Swept Hilt Rapier

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 4,000.00 USD
17th Century Military Swept Hilt Rapier
Blade measures 41 3/4" from the guard to the hilt, with border engraving on the ricasso and around the single fullers, with engraved fish designs at the ends of the fullers and "x INRI x MARIA x" inside. The "INRI MARIA" mark is seen on blades from a number of places in Europe, with one example from the Wallace Collection in London being identified as an Italian blade circa 1620. The hilt is an interesting design, with a pair of front arms extending up to the end of the ricasso, connecting to a pair of side rings, the left ring turned up 90 degrees to provide a close fit to the body, the other extending outward with a pair of bars almost reaching the branch of the knuckleguard, which extends from the tip of the rear forearm and connecting with the main knuckleguard near the swept tip, along with a lightly curved 3 1/2" long rear quillion. Short pentagonal languets, lightly fluted on the right side, with a twisted wire grip and a 2 1/5" long octagonal pommel.
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Condition: Fine, The blade and hilt show a bright gray patina with mild pitting, a small area of rust at the tip, and a slight rightward cant to the blade, with light cracks on the right side below the affected point. A darker brown patina is visible on the grip section, with areas of lighter brown on the pommel. The hilt section is firmly secured to the blade, with no looseness or play.