Please help me identify the age and markings on this Rapier.

fernando · 7th September 2022, 10:11 AM

I am still intrigued (above all) by those series of digits (inventory, serial, code numbers ?) and now with that 'mark' in both blade faces. Hardly maker's marks, as those usually (always) punch them in one of the sides.

.

Jim McDougall · 7th September 2022, 05:06 PM

It truly is a puzzle, and the only comparison I can think of is with some blades that were found on South American swords using 'blanks' from Solingen that had numeric sequences on the blade, at the forte in this manner. These were however with three numbers if I recall, but there were two swords with the same type blade and same number. This led me to believe these were either a contract lot or blade type (?) used administratively by the producer of the blades, and these seem to have been 19th c. but hard to say period.
I wish I could find the examples, I'll keep looking.

Whatever the case, Solingen was of course primary provider for blades and swords through 19th century into South American regions, where Portuguese colonial occupation had prevailed, thus many of these swords likely remained as well.

M ELEY · 8th September 2022, 05:49 AM

Very awesome sword! Glad you removed the rust, ASPaulding. I would also think a good possibility of being 'colonial/provincial', but await further comments. Jim, that ivory-gripped colonial cuphilt of yours is amazing! I know we've all seen mine, but this thread gives me an excuse to post my Caribbean example again!

Jim McDougall · 8th September 2022, 06:37 PM

Thank you Capn! Im glad you added this fantastic example of yours, which really carries out the spectrum of character in these colonial type examples. What I really like on yours is the cross hatched ebony grip.

7th September 2022, 10:11 AM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	I am still intrigued (above all) by those series of digits (inventory, serial, code numbers ?) and now with that 'mark' in both blade faces. Hardly maker's marks, as those usually (always) punch them in one of the sides. . Attached Images

8th September 2022, 05:49 AM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,167	Very awesome sword! Glad you removed the rust, ASPaulding. I would also think a good possibility of being 'colonial/provincial', but await further comments. Jim, that ivory-gripped colonial cuphilt of yours is amazing! I know we've all seen mine, but this thread gives me an excuse to post my Caribbean example again! Attached Images

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

7th September 2022, 05:06 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,298	It truly is a puzzle, and the only comparison I can think of is with some blades that were found on South American swords using 'blanks' from Solingen that had numeric sequences on the blade, at the forte in this manner. These were however with three numbers if I recall, but there were two swords with the same type blade and same number. This led me to believe these were either a contract lot or blade type (?) used administratively by the producer of the blades, and these seem to have been 19th c. but hard to say period. I wish I could find the examples, I'll keep looking. Whatever the case, Solingen was of course primary provider for blades and swords through 19th century into South American regions, where Portuguese colonial occupation had prevailed, thus many of these swords likely remained as well.

8th September 2022, 06:37 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,298	Thank you Capn! Im glad you added this fantastic example of yours, which really carries out the spectrum of character in these colonial type examples. What I really like on yours is the cross hatched ebony grip.