Q & A

C.T.D., Vancouver, B.C.writes:

I was hoping someone here could help me identify a cup-hilt rapier given as a gift from a friend. I was told by the previous owner that it was a 16th or 17th Century French sword.

On close examination of the cup hilt, one notices that the pattern in the hilt does not repeat perfectly, suggesting that it was cut and worked by hand. The rear quillion has been broken off. The blade has engravings along its length that look like flowing leaves, but the blade is too oxidized for photography. There are no obvious crests or fraternal symbols on it, save the "PROVED" stamp and trefoil (presumably a maker's mark). The blade is just under a meter in length, ovoid in shape, very rigid and completely straight. I believe this is consistent with a rapier blade. The tip has been rounded and the edges ground flat, suggesting a practice weapon or display item.

I have consulted a number of articles and books on the rapier and sent pictures of this weapon to a number of sword forums and have heard a variety of possible origins. The stamp would seem to identify the blade as a military blade made from the 1850s onwards. I think it's odd that the stamp suggests an officer's weapon when rapiers were primarily civilian weapons. I wonder if the blade was fitted to an older hilt, like the Iberian War-era Spanish swords. Perhaps the hilt is period and the blade is a newer, English addition?

I've also been told that British gymnasiums in the Victorian era featured proof-stamped sabres for fencing practice, but this is not a sabre, it has the dimensions and design of a classic, cup-hilt rapier.

Perhaps this is a Victorian-era rapier made for display? This would explain the rear quillion being shortened so it would mount flush to a wall, display, or buckler.

If you could help me identify this lovely antique, I would appreciate it.

We asked Ross Wilson to respond:

Well C.T.D. has certainly done his homework and I agree with his findings and his frustration at not being able to pin this sword down. Without a 'hands-on' examination it is difficult to expand on his findings. However the brass hilt makes me think that it is of either Italian or Spanish origin, not English - and perhaps it could be one of the thousands of sword variations produced as souvenirs for the Victorian traveler on the 'Grand Tour' of the late 19th century.