Discussion: Military rapiers were longer and usually of stronger blade manufacture than your average civilian rapier. Military rapiers were also exempt from length restrictions. Because fencing is more of a thrusting art, it became commonplace throughout Europe to have as long a blade as possible to obtain an advantage. This extravagance in length reached the point that municipalities passed statutes regarding the allowable lengths of blades. Those in violation had the misfortune of having their rapier blade cropped at the tip at the city gate to comply. One example of these statues is from an English Royal Proclamation on March 17, 1557.
The earliest illustration of this sword type is in a 1588 portrait of John Shirley, currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (#51.194.2). It is also illustrated in a portrait of Luccio Foppa circa 1585 by Giovani Antonio Figino.
In a day and age lacking appropriate policing, the private citizen was forced to protect himself from society‚ criminal dregs. The weapon of choice was the rapier from the middle of the 16th to the end of the 17th century. The rapier is a simple but highly effective sword against the non-armored. The rapier was primarily a thrusting weapon that could inflict serious injury to an adversary‚ vital organs with minimal effort. It was also an exceptional slashing and cutting weapon; however, the slash was not as lethal as the thrust. The slash was used more as a feint to set up a finishing thrust. The slash was also a dire warning to a would-be assailant of the horrors to quickly follow if he chose not to acquiesce. The rapier is almost undeniably of Spanish origin and is probably Spain’s most significant contribution to the Renaissance arms race. A highly expensive, ornate rapier was the equivalent of a person in our day and age making a fashion or opulence statement by wearing very expensive jewelry, such as a Rolex or Audemars Piguet watch. The French adopted the phrase ‚espee rapiere‚ by 1475, which later was shortened to simply ‚rapiere. The English in 1505 spelled it ‚rappyer. The Giles Duwes English/ French dictionary of 1532/3 adopted the rapiers definition as ‚Spannyshe sworde. By 1550, the term rapier had been adopted to describe a slender, sharply pointed sword designed for thrusting, cutting, and slashing attacks. The rapier now consisted of a hilt protected by a handguard.
Comparables: include from such notable institutions as:
– A Odescalchi Collection inv # 223.
– Wallace Collection cat # A589.
– Zurich Landsmuseum Inv. No. AG2476
Provenance: From a private world-class rapier collector who seldom, if ever, sells his best.
Conclusion: Military-class rapiers like this one seldom make it to the collectors’ market. This is a fighting sword, not a rapier worn by some fat, wealthy person who had bodyguards and never personally engaged in mortal combat in his life. This is a rare opportunity. ACT-NOW! I promise you won’t be disappointed with the rapier or the price under $3,5K.!!!*
All my items come with the following:
–Free shipping.
–10-day review period.
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– Free autographed copy of my book if you do not have one.
– In the event of an international shipment, we will help assign the lowest correct Customs tariff so you pay the least as low as 5% or even nothing.
I believe you will be very pleased. ACT-NOW!!!*
