SPANISH RAPIER C.1700-1750

Brass hilt, originally gilt, with large ring guards and olive form pommel. Thickened edge guard formed as two shells joined with a web. The right shell with flower maker’s mark and 3. Twisted brass wire wrapped grip with banded ferrules. Fine 29 ½” diamond section blade. The forte, with deep groove marked EN TOLEDO each side. The Spanish take on what developed as the smallsword in northern Europe. Owing to fencing techniques and custom, the rapier remained in use in Spain at the time.