Rapier for coments

[fernando]

Thanks once more, Cornelis, for the new precious info

Originally Posted by cornelistromp

... I have seen this sword on some schutter-painting,if I remember where I will post it....

Yes, please do; i would love to see it and save it together with my example pictures and data.

Met vriendelijke groeten

[Dmitry]

I told you it was singing to me!

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Dmitry

I told you it was singing to me!

[Jim McDougall]

Well it sounded like a good possibility.

[Matchlock]

It definitely does, Cornelis and Jim,

The fact remains though that the pommel is in excavated condition and could never have originally belonged.

Best,
m

[cornelistromp]

That exactly the right size and type of pommel is found is way too coincidental.
no, my vote goes to ORIGINAL.
the color of the metal and the pitting is consistent with other parts of this rapier.
Because mostly the pommel is touched over the time by hands here one sees more severe pitting.

Best,

[celtan]

Very true. Hilts _and pommels_ are often replaced because of hand-sweat's salinity. And due to the different steel qualities, swords retrieved from churches or tombs often needed to have both replaced.
In cold, dry climates, _oiled_ blades kept protected within leathern scabbards often survived for long periods (even if the scabbard did not) , while he exposed hilts/pommels suffered direly.
IIRC, we had an interesting thread on that years ago, didn't we Jim?
To me, the pommel looks good, but it might be a replacement. How easy was it to replace a pommel?
Nando, is the sword well balanced? If its not, there we have the answer.
Best
M

[Matchlock]

Originally Posted by cornelistromp

The color of the metal and the pitting is consistent with other parts of this rapier.
Because mostly the pommel is touched over the time by hands here one sees more severe pitting.

This kind of deep of deep und irregular, but not crisp pitting is typical of excavated finds that were heavily grinded with sandpaper in order took better. The main part of the pommel is almost never touched by the hand, just the grip binding and hilt are. The homogenuous surface color seems to be a good repatination probably using olive or crude linseed oil and a yellowish lacquer. It can be achieved within hours.

In contrast, the surfaces of the blade and pommel of the piece you posted are obviously homogenuous and belong.

Best,
Michael

[fernando]

Originally Posted by cornelistromp

That exactly the right size and type of pommel is found is way too coincidental.
no, my vote goes to ORIGINAL.
the color of the metal and the pitting is consistent with other parts of this rapier.
Because mostly the pommel is touched over the time by hands here one sees more severe pitting.

Best,

Very well put and shown, Cornelis.

[Matchlock]

Originally Posted by cornelistromp

That exactly the right size and type of pommel is found is way too coincidental.

Best,

There are hundreds of detached original pommels in various conditions on the market every year, and almost all of them are purchased by dealers and forgers. Can you image the reason?

Best,
Michael