Swept Hilt Rapier – Urgent help needed?

[Cathey]

Hi Holland?

Under a microscope the grip wire is extremely finely plated and then woven, which would have been a pain to do originally at any time. The Turks heads fit extremely well, and both wire and Turks heads appear of the same age. If it is a replacement they have certainly gone to a lot of trouble.

The pommel and hilt decoration appear to be contemporary and quite crude really. Then again I doubt this one was made for a lord so perhaps it’s a poor man’s version, made for use rather than decoration which would explain the great balance the sword has in the hand.

Cheers Cathey