A rapier for Christmas

fernando · 23rd January 2011, 07:15 PM

Hi Trond
Welcome to the forum.

First of all, it would be so nice if you decided to show us some more pieces of your collection; be sure they will be much appreciated by our fellow members.

Great rapier you show us here.
What gives you the impression that it is German hilted ?
In any case, your sword is similar to mine, but not precisely equal; the quillons, above all, show somehow a different attitude. I am not a specialist, but the visible differences could reveal to an expert a different country of provenance.
A pity that the pictures, although very clear, do not show us details like the inscription in the blade and the maker's mark on the ricasso.
There are quite a few Spanish sword smiths who signed with a crowned crowned F, as can be seen here:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...0789#post90789
You can try and establish in that listing which crowned F is in your sword, but it would be also most interesting if you post here some close up pictures of both mark and inscription.

Trond · 23rd January 2011, 08:13 PM

Here is the crowned F from the blade:

The text on the blade seems to be the same on both sides, but is difficult to read:

Trond

fernando · 23rd January 2011, 09:17 PM

This would be the mark of Francisco Perez, listed as #33 in Palomar's nomina of Toledo sword smiths (see the posted link).
The inscription in the blade reads FRANCISCO PEREZ FECIT IN TOLEDO.
I just don't like the 'fecit' (made ((it)) mention; usually more used by German sword makers, i guess.
We know German and Spanish smiths kept copying one eachother.
Let's see what other members say about this.

23rd January 2011, 07:15 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Hi Trond Welcome to the forum. First of all, it would be so nice if you decided to show us some more pieces of your collection; be sure they will be much appreciated by our fellow members. Great rapier you show us here. What gives you the impression that it is German hilted ? In any case, your sword is similar to mine, but not precisely equal; the quillons, above all, show somehow a different attitude. I am not a specialist, but the visible differences could reveal to an expert a different country of provenance. A pity that the pictures, although very clear, do not show us details like the inscription in the blade and the maker's mark on the ricasso. There are quite a few Spanish sword smiths who signed with a crowned crowned F, as can be seen here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...0789#post90789 You can try and establish in that listing which crowned F is in your sword, but it would be also most interesting if you post here some close up pictures of both mark and inscription.

23rd January 2011, 08:13 PM	#2
Trond Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 30	Here is the crowned F from the blade: The text on the blade seems to be the same on both sides, but is difficult to read: Trond

23rd January 2011, 09:17 PM	#3
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	This would be the mark of Francisco Perez, listed as #33 in Palomar's nomina of Toledo sword smiths (see the posted link). The inscription in the blade reads FRANCISCO PEREZ FECIT IN TOLEDO. I just don't like the 'fecit' (made ((it)) mention; usually more used by German sword makers, i guess. We know German and Spanish smiths kept copying one eachother. Let's see what other members say about this.