2089 Cup Hilt

2089)HIGHLY DECORATED GERMAN CUP HILT RAPIER BY CLEMENS KINDT OF SOLINGEN WITH INSCRIPTION CIRCA 1640:

Introduction: The Bladesmith: Clemens Kindt (sometimes documented as Clemens Kind) was a renowned, high-status master bladesmith active during the late 16th to mid-17th century.  Solingen, located in Germany, has been famously known as the “City of Blades” for centuries. During the 1600s, Solingen smiths were unparalleled in producing high-quality, flexible rapier blades, which they regularly exported across Europe—particularly to Spain and Italy — to be fitted into high-end cup hilts.

Description: Under the Norman typology, this sword is classified as a hilt 101 and a pommel 88. The cup is decorated with pierced designs of vines and flowers; the edges turn outward, an original grip; and the blade tapers quickly, with short, deep fullers on both sides. The decorated en suite twisted quillons expand at the tips with double buttons. Cup hilt with a guarda polvo (or gardapolvo/guardapó), which translates from Spanish to English as “dust guard.” The guarda polvo  is a steel internal plate or mini cup nested directly inside the bottom of the main cup guard, resting flush against the ricasso. The guarda polvo’s primary defensive purpose was to prevent an opponent’s sword point from slipping through the decorative piercings of the outer cup.

Decorated on the fullers in Latin:

First Inscription 

              X CLEMENS KINDT X ME FECIT X

                                          “Clemens Kindt made me”

Second Inscription 

                                 X CLEMENS KINDT X SOLINGEN X

                                                “Clemens Kindt, Solingen”

The phrase “Me Fecit” (Made Me) was a traditional Latin artisan signature format dating back to antiquity, commonly utilized by premium European swordsmiths to declare their workmanship.

The cup, pommel, and swept hilt guard are decorated en suite, with an original embossed wire grip with ferrules.

Approximate Dimensions: Total length 44 inches.

Discussion: In a day and age lacking appropriate policing, the private citizen was forced to protect himself from society’s criminal dregs. From the mid-16th to the end of the 17th century, the weapon of choice was the rapier. 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’s 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.

 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 blades cropped at the tip at the city gate to comply. One example of these statutes is from an English Royal Proclamation on March 17, 1557‚ 1558.

Provenance: From an old European collection.

Conclusion: The last thing a swordsman wanted to hear was that his opponent was armed with a rapier with a blade from Clemens Kindt. Yes, his blades were that good. Due to the significance of the rapier in Renaissance Europe, all collections will be incomplete unless you have at least one, even if you are not a rapier aficionado.  This rapier is an exquisite addition to any collection.   You are getting a lot of sword and flash for the money. It’s priced to sell fast !!!!*

All my items come with the following:

–Free shipping.

–10-day review period.

–Certificate of Authenticity.

–Autographed copy of my book.

–In the event of an international shipment, we will help assign the lowest correct Customs tariff, so you pay the least.

I believe you will be very pleased. ACT-NOW!!!*